“A clear majority of Israelis would instantly hand over the West Bank and its settlements along with Gaza for a real shot at peace with the Arabs”
show me the vote. I don’t believe him.
Oh I do. I’ve had some people tell me they would gladly give up their own houses for peace with the Arabs. Of course, it’s not their house that would actually be taken - just someone else’s - but it reflects their real desire of anything-for-peace.
The Israelis scream for peace at all costs, the Arabs scream for victory at all costs. Doesn’t look good.
Sharon removed settlements from Gaza. It was painful and not unanimous. Its still painful (as far as I can tell from afar). But that became an accepted reality.
It used to be that the whole idea of a Palestinian state (I mean another one besides Jordan) was taboo and a very minority view. Its now a majority view in Israel - let them have a state and eat it too.
Israel gave up Sinai (with its oil). And Begin who did it is not considered a criminal or idiot, so the country accepted the deal.
I think that if there was a real partner who could deliver on promises of stopping violence, Israeli would do ANY painful thing required (short of return of Arabs into the Israeli proper - that is suicide, and even Meretz and communists do not support that).