In today’s Washington Times, Eli Lake has a serious scoop. Lake reports that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will deliver a major speech on Sunday accepting the concept of a Palestinian state, subject to terms protecting Israeli security:
• Any Palestinian state must be demilitarized, without an air force, full-fledged army or heavy weapons.
• Palestinians may not sign treaties with powers hostile to Israel.
• A Palestinian state must allow Israeli civilian and military aircraft unfettered access to Palestinian airspace, allow Israel to retain control of the airwaves and to station Israeli troops on a future state’s eastern and southern borders.
• Palestinians must accept Israel as a Jewish state, a nod to the hawkish side of Mr. Netanyahu’s governing coalition that has raised concerns that the Palestinian Authority, which nominally governs the West Bank, does not recognize Israel as a Jewish state.
3 responses so far
1 ottovbvs // Jun 12, 2009 at 8:21 am
He had to move on this just as he is going to have to move on the settlements. The world including the pro Israel world are not going to the stake to defend the indefinite reduction of the Palestinians or to defend the interests of about 250,000 Israelis who live in the settlements. I’m actually mildly optimistic about Netanyahu who is a total opportunist or pragmatist if you prefer. Settlements of longstanding issues are usually led by the ultras think Churchill/Michael Collins, or the Begin/Egypt peace agreement. Netanyahu is between a rock and hard place. He’s no fool and realizes Israel basically needs a peace settlement more than the arabs because the strategic balance has swung against Israel. Given that, the vigorous involvement of the US for the first time for 10 years and the stars could be in alignment.
2 Gadsden // Jun 12, 2009 at 2:08 pm
This is an interesting move. I suspect he is hoping that the Palestians will reject tis out of hand, on the grounds that a country is not really a state if it can’t have an airforce or sign treaties. On the other hand, the smart move for the Palestians would be to accept those terms, knowing full well that they will be viewed as unacceptable and unenforecable 10 years down the road.
3 ottovbvs // Jun 12, 2009 at 2:32 pm
Gadsden
wrote 20 minutes ago
….They don’t have to reject it out of hand…..There’s a midpoint between what you are suggesting would be a smart move and Netanyahu’s opening bid……this is the middle east for godsake
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