The United States Negotiating Team is out of touch with reality

Submitted by Professor Richard Tomback (United States), Jan 10, 2014 at 09:28

Dear Sir,

Before any member of the State Dept or so called experts in the history of Islam venture to offer their skills at bringing about a settlement to the Israeli-Palestinian problem or any other matter concerning Israel and most Muslim States, he/she must become familiar with the very basic Islamic concept of Dar Al Isalm and Dar Al Harb.

In its basic form these terms refer to a continual state of "tension" between the Muslim World and the non-Muslim areas. While a truce, Hudna, is possible between the two sides, or even Sulh, reconcilliation, true Salam or a sound peace might be too much to expect.

Should the negotiators on the United States side understand these concepts, perhaps they will better understand the realities facing Israel

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".