Netanyahu Pledges to Pursue Peace With Palestinians

BulletWounD · 03-31-09, 08:21 AM

Quote:

JERUSALEM—Israeli Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday his government would negotiate peace with the Palestinians, but made no mention of their U.S.-backed quest for statehood.

[...]

"If we have a strong Palestinian economy, that's a strong foundation for peace," Netanyahu said in a speech to a business forum, pledging to remove some "bureaucratic handicaps" stunting growth.

Epoch Times - Netanyahu Pledges to Pursue Peace With Palestinians

I have high hopes for this guy. No matter what solution (two-state or single-state) they decide on, there are certain things which need to happen. Helping to build the economy they've suppressed for decades is one of them. Even the ultra-right in Israel must come to the realization that Palestine is a bleeding wound and there might come a time where they are unable to commit troops there because of larger problems (Iran). They can't expect big brother US to fund their forrays into Palestine forever.

BulletWounD · 04-01-09, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the 32nd Israeli government were sworn in on March 31. After long and difficult negotiations for forming a coalition, the government will have 30 ministers of five different parties, and seven deputy ministers, which will make the largest Israeli government ever.

The new prime minister talked in his speech about two major difficulties facing his government: the economic crisis and the security challenge, and added that peace with Palestinians is achievable.

[...]

Prime Minister Netanyahu talked in his speech about the security challenges Israel has to face. “The origin of the greatest danger for humanity is the possibility that a radical regime will be armed with nuclear weapons, or that a nuclear weapon will be armed with a radical regime.

[...]

“We do not want to control the Palestinians,” he said. “They will have all the authority to rule themselves, except for those who will threaten Israel’s security.”

http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/14590/

So what do you guys think? Does anybody care? Iranian nukes could destroy both Israel and Palestine making any peace negotiations a moot point. A common threat can be a powerful unifying force. If they get them, I have no reason to believe they wont use them

donsutherland1 · 04-01-09, 08:27 AM

BulletWounD,

I remain cautiously optimistic concerning Prime Minister Netanyahu efforts. At this point, he will need to give greatest priority to strengthening Israel's economy and working with the international community (or if necessary, with Israel's allies) to address Iran's nuclear issue (a potential existential threat).

When it comes to the Palestinians, I believe the objective of two states remains the most feasible outcome for resolving the historic dispute, even if a "West Bank first" approach needs to be pursued. Combining an approach that facilitates strengthened economic ties, which would improve living standards for Israelis and Palestinians alike) and an incremental political peace process that takes gradual steps toward a two-state solution that both sides can readily achieve would be ideal. Prime Minister Netanyahu's remarks in recent days suggest that he might pursue just such an approach.

Of course, significant progress, much less a final settlement during the next few years, cannot be assured.

bub · 04-01-09, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BulletWounD

Epoch Times - Netanyahu Pledges to Pursue Peace With Palestinians

I have high hopes for this guy. No matter what solution (two-state or single-state) they decide on, there are certain things which need to happen. Helping to build the economy they've suppressed for decades is one of them. Even the ultra-right in Israel must come to the realization that Palestine is a bleeding wound and there might come a time where they are unable to commit troops there because of larger problems (Iran). They can't expect big brother US to fund their forrays into Palestine forever.

There is no hope as long as he denies Palestinians the right to create their own state & as long as he expands the illegal colonies (they're annexing the Palestinian patch of land that used to link the north and the south of west bank)

BulletWounD · 04-01-09, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donsutherland1

BulletWounD,

I remain cautiously optimistic concerning Prime Minister Netanyahu. At this point, he will need to give greatest priority to strengthening Israel's economy and working with the international community (or if necessary, with Israel's allies) to address Iran's nuclear issue (a potential existential threat).

When it comes to the Palestinians, I believe the objective of two states remains the most feasible outcome for resolving the historic dispute, even if a "West Bank first" approach needs to be pursued. Combining an approach that facilitates strengthened economic ties, which would improve living standards for Israelis and Palestinians alike) and an incremental political peace process that takes gradual steps toward a two-state solution that both sides can readily achieve would be ideal. Prime Minister Netanyahu's remarks in recent days suggest that he might pursue just such an approach.

I agree. This general idea in the international community that the Israelis can just wave a magic wand and create a peaceful two-state solution is unrealistic, untenable, and doomed to fail. It's going to take time and hard work.

BulletWounD · 04-01-09, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bub

There is no hope as long as he denies Palestinians the right to create their own state & as long as he expands the illegal colonies (they're annexing the Palestinian patch of land that used to link the north and the south of west bank)

One thing they can do that would definitely foster peace would be diverting public funding from the settlements into building the Palestinian economy.

bub · 04-01-09, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donsutherland1

gradual steps toward a two-state solution that both sides can readily achieve would be ideal. Prime Minister Netanyahu's remarks in recent days suggest that he might pursue just such an approach.

Olmert, Obama & the European Union have asked him to accept this 2-states solution but he hasn't.

EU warns Israel on two-state issue | International | Jerusalem Post
Blair: Netanyahu must commit to two-state solution now - Israel News, Ynetnews
ANALYSIS / Why isn't Netanyahu backing two-state solution? - Haaretz - Israel News

He talks about peace but keeps on expanding illegal colonies (and is allied with the political party of the illegal settlers by the way)

Quote:

"The Palestinian Authority and the European Union on Sunday cautioned Israel's prime minister-designate, Benjamin Netanyahu, against forming a government that does not believe in a two-state solution for the Middle East. A government whose members are "totally against the establishment of a Palestinian state", who continue to promote Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory and who "don't see the need to negotiate with Palestinians as a way of achieving peace" can only be described as "anti-peace", said Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Malki after talks in Brussels with top EU officials. "

EU, PA urge Netanyahu to uphold two-state solution - Summary : Middle East World

Marc39 · 04-01-09, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bub

He talks about peace but keeps on expanding illegal colonies (and is allied with the political party of the illegal settlers by the way)

I'm not wild over the settlements, however, whether they are illegal or not is debatable. The "ownership" of the West Bank is in dispute, and, until that dispute is resolved, a sound legal case can be made for the settlements.

Marc39 · 04-01-09, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BulletWounD

One thing they can do that would definitely foster peace would be diverting public funding from the settlements into building the Palestinian economy.

Ya think? Given Hamas and Fatah have been diverting funding for years, both for personal enrichment as well as for buying armament, enabling Arafat to have become one of the richest despots in the world, according to Forbes magazine, why would anything change now?

BulletWounD · 04-01-09, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marc39

Ya think? Given Hamas and Fatah have been diverting funding for years, both for personal enrichment as well as for buying armament, enabling Arafat to have become one of the richest despots in the world, according to Forbes magazine, why would anything change now?

The key is direct assistance, not just throwing money at them.

04-01-09, 08:27 AM	#3
donsutherland1 Moderator Mod team member Join Date: Oct 2007 Last Seen: Yesterday 07:42 AM Location: New York Posts: 4,034 Thanks: 1,561 Thanked 3,047 Times in 1,620 Posts Lean: Centrist Gender: Total Awards: 1	Re: Netanyahu Pledges to Pursue Peace With Palestinians BulletWounD, I remain cautiously optimistic concerning Prime Minister Netanyahu efforts. At this point, he will need to give greatest priority to strengthening Israel's economy and working with the international community (or if necessary, with Israel's allies) to address Iran's nuclear issue (a potential existential threat). When it comes to the Palestinians, I believe the objective of two states remains the most feasible outcome for resolving the historic dispute, even if a "West Bank first" approach needs to be pursued. Combining an approach that facilitates strengthened economic ties, which would improve living standards for Israelis and Palestinians alike) and an incremental political peace process that takes gradual steps toward a two-state solution that both sides can readily achieve would be ideal. Prime Minister Netanyahu's remarks in recent days suggest that he might pursue just such an approach. Of course, significant progress, much less a final settlement during the next few years, cannot be assured.
	Last edited by donsutherland1; 04-01-09 at 08:35 AM.

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