Israel playing for time....
George Mitchell, the US Special envoy, is again in the Middle East pushing the idea of a settlement freeze to help bring the Palestinians back to the negotating table. The Israeli Prime Minister has rejected the idea of a "settlement freeze". He is amenable to begin negotation. But the problem is that the negotation terms are so one-sided that it is not even worth the time and the effort.
One of the Israeli Prime Minister's biggest strengths is his understanding of the US Political Scene. AIPAC is a force to be reckoned with. Bibi is playing for time so that President Obama's pressing domestic issues will divert his attention from his stated goal to get peace. But AIPAC has to also contend with the rise of J Street and their embracing of a just and lasting peace:
Netanyahu does not seem to realize that by achieving just, genuine and lasting peace by engaging all Palestinian factions, this will pull the rug from under all the radicals. Will he listen to reason? I wonder.
One of the Israeli Prime Minister's biggest strengths is his understanding of the US Political Scene. AIPAC is a force to be reckoned with. Bibi is playing for time so that President Obama's pressing domestic issues will divert his attention from his stated goal to get peace. But AIPAC has to also contend with the rise of J Street and their embracing of a just and lasting peace:
Netanyahu does not seem to realize that by achieving just, genuine and lasting peace by engaging all Palestinian factions, this will pull the rug from under all the radicals. Will he listen to reason? I wonder.
Mike Pouraryan
