The Newest Israeli "Gesture"
Israel has just come out with its newest offer for peace. It has offered a partial 10 month moratorium on new settlement activity to advance the cause of peace. As I reviewed the Prime Minister's Statement, I saw a statement that was full of beautiful words--but not much else.
Despite my disagreements with George W. Bush, I think he was absolutely right in noting the realities on the ground. There are over 600 military checkpoints. The so-called barrier cuts into Palestinian Land. The number of settlers is at over 500,000. The network of bypass words and a virtual annexation has insured that a viable state will never come into being. Will the realities be reversed? It does not seem to be so unless there are those with the courage of Sadat and Rabin who actually ended up paying with their lives. I wonder if that will be in fact the case or not?
Despite my disagreements with George W. Bush, I think he was absolutely right in noting the realities on the ground. There are over 600 military checkpoints. The so-called barrier cuts into Palestinian Land. The number of settlers is at over 500,000. The network of bypass words and a virtual annexation has insured that a viable state will never come into being. Will the realities be reversed? It does not seem to be so unless there are those with the courage of Sadat and Rabin who actually ended up paying with their lives. I wonder if that will be in fact the case or not?
Mike Pouraryan
