Divisions Make Peace Agreement Impossible -Aaron David Miller
A conflict-ending agreement between Israelis and Palestinians may no longer be possible. Varying kinds of accommodations, cease fires, informal cooperation and temporary arrangements may still be possible. But the current situation on the ground between Israelis and Palestinians makes it impossible for leaders to reach an agreement.
The divisions between Hamas (itself divided) and Fatah (even more divided) are now geographic, political and hard to bridge. Until the Palestinian national movement finds a way to impose a monopoly over the forces of violence in Palestinian society, it cannot move to statehood.
The hallmark of any state's credibility is its control over all the guns. What Israeli prime minister could ever make concessions to a Palestinian leader who doesn't control all of the guns?
I would respectfully suggest to President-elect Obama, that he recognize there's no deal in this negotiation now. Manage it as best you can: but don't think you can solve it; you can't.
(Jerusalem Post)
Palestinian Civil War Casts Shadow Over Peace Talks -Jonathan Schanzer
When President-elect Obama sets out to rekindle Palestinian-Israeli peace, he will be faced with a vexing problem: Which Palestinian faction/non-state represents the Palestinians? With whom should Washington negotiate?
If it is Abbas' Fatah West Bank faction, Obama will be working with an unelected government while effectively ignoring the Hamas regime in Gaza. If the president negotiates with Hamas, he would be negotiating with terrorists - something that would fly in the face of U.S. policy dating back to the Nixon administration.
If Obama and his advisers fail to confront this critical issue, we risk engaging in yet another failed round of diplomacy.
(JTA)
Obama Security Adviser Wants NATO Force in West Bank -Aluf Benn
General James Jones, [pictured above] who is expected to become Obama's national security adviser, supports the deployment of an international force in the West Bank instead of the Israel Defense Forces. He also opposes Israel's demand to retain extensive security control over the territories even after a Palestinian state is established.
A conflict-ending agreement between Israelis and Palestinians may no longer be possible. Varying kinds of accommodations, cease fires, informal cooperation and temporary arrangements may still be possible. But the current situation on the ground between Israelis and Palestinians makes it impossible for leaders to reach an agreement.
The divisions between Hamas (itself divided) and Fatah (even more divided) are now geographic, political and hard to bridge. Until the Palestinian national movement finds a way to impose a monopoly over the forces of violence in Palestinian society, it cannot move to statehood.
The hallmark of any state's credibility is its control over all the guns. What Israeli prime minister could ever make concessions to a Palestinian leader who doesn't control all of the guns?
I would respectfully suggest to President-elect Obama, that he recognize there's no deal in this negotiation now. Manage it as best you can: but don't think you can solve it; you can't.
(Jerusalem Post)
Palestinian Civil War Casts Shadow Over Peace Talks -Jonathan Schanzer
When President-elect Obama sets out to rekindle Palestinian-Israeli peace, he will be faced with a vexing problem: Which Palestinian faction/non-state represents the Palestinians? With whom should Washington negotiate?
If it is Abbas' Fatah West Bank faction, Obama will be working with an unelected government while effectively ignoring the Hamas regime in Gaza. If the president negotiates with Hamas, he would be negotiating with terrorists - something that would fly in the face of U.S. policy dating back to the Nixon administration.
If Obama and his advisers fail to confront this critical issue, we risk engaging in yet another failed round of diplomacy.
(JTA)
Obama Security Adviser Wants NATO Force in West Bank -Aluf Benn
General James Jones, [pictured above] who is expected to become Obama's national security adviser, supports the deployment of an international force in the West Bank instead of the Israel Defense Forces. He also opposes Israel's demand to retain extensive security control over the territories even after a Palestinian state is established.
Israel has [said] that security control of the Jordan Valley is essential to prevent weapons from being smuggled into the West Bank. Israel also demands complete demilitarization of the future Palestinian state, Israeli control of border crossings, and Israeli early warning stations in the mountains.
(Ha'aretz)
UPDATE:
IDF Opposes Plan for NATO in West Bank -Yaakov Katz
Israeli defense officials said they were opposed to the deployment of a NATO force in the West Bank following an Israeli withdrawal, a plan supported by president-elect Obama's choice for U.S. national security adviser, Gen. James Jones. A top IDF officer said, "NATO is a very bad idea....No other country in the world has successfully dealt with terror like Israel has. There is a need for continuous combat; NATO will not want to endanger its soldiers on behalf of Israeli citizens."
(Jerusalem Post)
(Ha'aretz)
UPDATE:
IDF Opposes Plan for NATO in West Bank -Yaakov Katz
Israeli defense officials said they were opposed to the deployment of a NATO force in the West Bank following an Israeli withdrawal, a plan supported by president-elect Obama's choice for U.S. national security adviser, Gen. James Jones. A top IDF officer said, "NATO is a very bad idea....No other country in the world has successfully dealt with terror like Israel has. There is a need for continuous combat; NATO will not want to endanger its soldiers on behalf of Israeli citizens."
(Jerusalem Post)
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