Oh, it would "preempt" Obama's plan alright, in a manner reminiscent of the famous National Lampoon magazine cover showing a dog with a pistol to its head with the caption "Buy this magazine or we'll shoot this dog", or perhaps the scene in Blazing Saddles where Cleavon Little puts the gun to his head and tells the hostile townsfolk "back off, or the n****r gets it". In the spirit of your facile "Why now, why not?" the proper response is "So what?".
There is absolutely nothing to indicate that such a unilateral preemption would result in "better terms" in any permanent way. Once the initial "peace in our time" euphoria of that "dramatic breakthrough" evaporated, all it would do would be to whet the appetites of the circling wolves and set the stage for a new list of demands and concessions. That is the historical record, and has been exactly the case in every one of these instances.
While it is true that the best solution to be had may be a "two-state" solution and some necessary concessions by Israel, the way Ehud Barak has framed this is not just wrong and misguided, it's dishonest and despicable. In fact, it's John McCain/Colin Powell-level wrong and despicable. I respect and appreciate his military service, just as I do theirs, but in his political career he continues, like them, to betray the very things he once fought for.
It would result in both “terms” and borders. The liklihood of negotiating these things with an unelected “authority” 40% Of whose population is governed by a terror group is zero for many years. Israel’s enemies won’t recognize either solution, friends likely would, but in any case that the issue is the destruction of Israel, not the “occupation” would be clear, as would Israel’s future path, defending her citizens, not negotiating with Arabs
It is not the first time Barak has allowed himself to be used to defeat and silence Netanyahu. He willingly allowed Clinton to use him to unseat Netanyahu and allowed fabricated charges to be brought against him. Barak might be a soldier but what patriot of Israel divides Jerusalem?
Is there no price he would not pay to achieve political power? How much smaller can Israel afford to be?
With “patriots” like Barak, why does Israel need enemies?
Oslo...first step to suicide.