“No one should allow the issue of settlements to distract from the goal of a lasting peace between Israel, the Palestinians and the Arab world,” that was White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emmanuel’s advice on the current breakdown of Arab-Israeli peace talks. That’s right, we shouldn’t allow the reason the talks broke down (Israel’s illegal expansion of settlements, in open refutation of their previous agreements) to keep the talks from breaking down.
There can be no argument that Nethanyahu’s obstinance on the settlement issue, and Obama’s caving (he went from being demanding that the settlement be ceased to meekly suggesting that construction be temporarily limited) have grievously damaged the peace process, and shredded the road map. It’s galling for me to have to admit that Shrub (who didn’t do a whole lot) did more for peace in the Mideast then Obama has.
But yeah, the Palestinians should really get over themselves and move past the illegal settlements. Just accept them as a starting point, and go from there. Talk about framing the debate. Sheesh. How about Israel get over that whole 1967 thing and stop settling land that isn’t theirs?
Last 5 posts by Ezra
- Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez - February 8th, 2010
- Man, If They Didn't Hate Him Before... - February 5th, 2010
- Only in San Francisco #32,412 - February 4th, 2010
- The Truth Hurts, Even For Reality TV - February 3rd, 2010
- This Time the Nanny State Has Gone Too Far! - February 1st, 2010