New York Times on Netanyahu

28.

May 12, 2009 8:28 am

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Since the recommendations of Lord Peel Commission in 1937, rejected by the Mufti of Jerusalem, a zealous supporter of Adolf Hitler, the Palestinians have similarly rejected every idea for resolving the conflict. Forty percent of them or more support Hamas, which not only states that Israel must be eliminated but also considers the Jews proactive actors behind World Wars I, II , and the French he Russian Revolutions.

Voicing Bush-Olmert proposals by Obama-Netanyahu is not likely to elicit Arab cheers. All meaningful steps in Israeli Arab conflict, such as 1949 Armistice, Egypt and Oslo agreements, started without the US. In Arab eyes United States and Israel are a single entity, therefore every American idea, to which Israel agreed as their "best last" offer, is only considered an opening statement. So far, intelligent and accomplished individuals such as President Clinton and Prime Minister Blair were unable to bring the parties together.

Difficult as it is, Israel must find a way to deal directly with the Palestinians. Mr. Marwan Barghouti, Palestinian leader, now in Israeli jail because of terror and Mr. Avigdor Lieberman the Israeli Foreign Minister, are both pragmatic politicians; they should explore the ground for next steps.

— Aharon Meytahl, Vestal, New York