Posted on 07/29/2003 8:16:43 AM PDT by yonif
Knesset Speaker Ruby Rivlin, a close political ally of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, warned Monday that the peace process moves now under way in Washington are liable to make Israel's positions "almost totally irrelevant."
Rivlin said in an interview with Army Radio that the United States's failure to accept Israel's 14 reservations to the road map peace plan would in effect result in the plan being not much different than the Saudi initiative, which calls for an Israeli withdrawal to the pre-1967 borders. He termed as "dubious" the US's "excuse given not to accept the reservations."
In particular, Rivlin harshly criticized the advice Sharon is now receiving from his bureau chief, Dov Weisglass, whose attitude toward the current "dramatic developments" Rivlin called lackadaisical and "intolerable."
Rivlin said that the US is leading a "strategic" policy of critical importance that should not be interpreted by Israel as a "tactical move." He expressed concern that Israel would eventually find itself on a collision course with the US, considering Sharon's positions on the future borders of the state.
According to Rivlin, Sharon foresees a Palestinian state that will exclude the Jordan Valley, a security zone on the mountain range overlooking Israel's coastal areas and Jerusalem. Rivlin said such a state would not be restricted to the 42 percent of the West Bank now controlled by the Palestinian Authority, adding that the US would in any case never agree to such a proposal.
Sharon believes that it would be possible to reach some kind of an agreement with the Palestinians on a plan, Rivlin said. However, he said that the 2000 Camp David summit revealed that the Palestinians are not willing to accept plans that even go much further than Sharon is prepared to go.
Rivlin also said that he could never support the establishment of a Palestinian state, and may quit politics if it happens.
Sharon believes that he would be able to stop any erosion in Israel's positions and intends to halt progress when red lines are crossed, Rivlin said. However, Rivlin warned that Sharon may "lose his brakes," if he goes too fast.
Basically Rivlin, as a friend of Sharon, says that Sharon currently is not talking about the same PLO state the US wants (42% of West Bank vs. 100% of West Bank the US wants), and will fail to stop what the US wants as it will be too late.
I see no hostility.
What I see is a mediator at work. Nothing more should be read into this.
I believe that the sharing arrangement should be equal in every way. (if that is possible)
A joint tenancy.
There is hostility on the issues of the communities in Yesha, Jerusalem, Fence, Israel going after the terrrorists, etc. America calls what the Israeli government doing is prolematic, but has now decided there are no "problems" with the Palestinian Authority.
And you say what's the problem with sharing Jerusalem anyways:
1. Jerusalem is shared - one quarter for the Jews, one for the Christians, one for the Arabs and one for the Armenians - and under Israeli soverignty right now.
2. If you mean shared with a country called "Palestine" you would in effect be sharing it with a terrorist state.
That is why the U.S. is mediating this.
As to the question of "will it work or will anything work", all we can do is try.
The alternative is the total elimination of what is called "Palestine". (essentially a U.N. mistake)
The point is that this situation must be solved. Neither side will be happy with the outcome and that is a given.
I'm really getting sick and tired of listening to this idiot scold or lecture Israel in every damn speech on the subject. He's doing it now, as we speak.
Someone please tell him to shut the hell up.
Do or do not, there is no "try" - Yoda
Our charge is to ensure the viability of Israel, read the bible and get back to me. When the sick pig murderers stop their sick pig murdering, and stop threatening to continue their sick pig murdering, then we should talk to them.
Until then they should get nothing but the back of an iron glove. Anyone who thinks appeasing these sick pigs will work is a moron or an Israel hater.
And herein lies the root of the problem on both sides of this issue.
Personally, "I would prefer that you eliminate each other and would gladly provide the nukes to do so if I could."
"end of quote from wirestripper"
http://www.therightroadtopeace.com
I view the so called roadmap as a work in progress. I also know that eventual integration of the two societies is necessary for a lasting peace and the end of an age old conflict.
All that aside, it is at present but a dream to think it possible. It must be attempted however. We all know that the Palestinians have no state nor the ability to operate one if they had it. We also know that the post WWII borders are ridiculous throughout the entire area of that part of the world.
Frankly, I am tiring of the entire issue as most are.
Elon's idea of sending them all back to Jordan is just as workable as any other idea.
Impossible!
All that said, we keep on trying to find a solution because we must. Or perhaps we should just sever our ties with Israel and Egypt and the rest of the mess. bank the savings in tax payer dollars to clean up the carnage in the aftermath.
But,,,,,,,It won't take long for it to start all over again.(After all, it is in the Bible)
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