Finally a new idea for peace from the Palestinians (NYT)

October 18, 2001 8:04 AM

Finally a new idea for peace from the Palestinians (NYT) by Dr. Nusseibeh, a well-known Palestinian political figure and academic, the new political representative appointed by Arafat. "The Palestinians have to realize that if we are to reach an agreement on two states, then those two states will have to be one for the Israelis and one for the Palestinians, not one for the Palestinians and the other also for the Palestinians."
posted by semmi (9 comments total)

The piece is interesting but assumes that both sides can control their crazies.
Israel has the Settlers they will have to deal with. But the Arab side, alas, has three or more terror groups thus far committed to no peace with Israel. And, to make it worse, two or more of these groups are sponsored, funded, and housed in Lebanon, Syria, Egypt. Those governments seemingly care more for their interests than those of the Palestinian peoples.
The recent assassinations a good example of how the violence continues, despite efforts of nice guys such as this one.
posted by Postroad at 8:09 AM on October 18, 2001

Unfortunately, another writer who may need a body guard and Kelvar vest.

The piece is interesting but assumes that both sides can control their crazies.

Or that both sides aren't run by crazies. And I'll save Mefi some server resources: Sharon is a crazy....blah blah blah...
posted by ParisParamus at 8:55 AM on October 18, 2001

I think that support for the extremists will wane as folks within the legitimate power structure attempt to address issues -- such as all those refugees who now reside in those very countries -- in a manner that will relieve tensions.

And I agree with Postroad... I hope this guy has a very good -- and loyal -- personal security attachment.
posted by silusGROK at 9:18 AM on October 18, 2001

Hmmm. Let me see. We'd have to have a state for both of them?

Well, Duh.
posted by darren at 9:43 AM on October 18, 2001

Now if only the Israeli's would figure this out!
posted by aacheson at 10:16 AM on October 18, 2001

Now if only the Israelis would figure this out!
posted by aacheson at 10:17 AM on October 18, 2001

Damn double click...and I was just trying to change the punctuation!
posted by aacheson at 10:19 AM on October 18, 2001

Damn double click...and I was just trying to change the punctuation!
posted by aacheson at 10:21 AM on October 18, 2001

Crazies or not, this is a major issue. The Right of Return was one of the big things on the table during the latest phase of the Oslo agreements, along with sovereignty of East Jerusalem. Israel simply doesn't believe they can allow it; Palestine doesn't believe they can concede it. A suitable payment for conceding it, however, would be cessation and perhaps even pullback of Israeli settlements. I think what he's saying is that they need the latter, but have to give up something in order to get it.
posted by dhartung at 11:20 AM on October 18, 2001