Obama's starting points for negotiation will end up killing more people

Submitted by Roque Nuevo (Mexico), May 19, 2011 at 22:42

Obama says negotiations need to begin with the issues of territory and security; he acknowledges that Palestinians refuse to recognize Israel's right to exist and that they permanently incite hatred for Israel and Jews in their "education system", mass media, etc. Does he believe that by negotiating security/territory the Palestinians will be somehow induced to recognizing Israel's right to exist and cease inciting their people to hatred, etc?

Can I be a majority of one here? Does Obama have it bass-ackward or do I? Don't you want the other to recognize your right to exist before you negotiate anything? Wouldn't you refuse to negotiate anything with anyone who refused to recognize your right to exist?

It's fine to complain about settlements and throw around words like "al Quds", "haram al shaif", whatever. But why isn't anyone talking about these basic issues? Why would Obama be interested in throwing sand in our faces and just confusing the issue instead of clarifying it. Who will take the blame when his peace process devolves into Intifada III?

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