The settlement issue will continue to be the major point of contention between Israel and the PLO in the coming months of negotiations – whether through proximity talks or through direct face-to-face negotiations.
The crisis in relations between Washington and Jerusalem is not necessarily a bad thing in terms of being able to move a peace process forward. There is no doubt that the crisis poses one of the most serious challenges to the Obama administration in its foreign policy agenda in general and potentially could shape and influence the policy of the US in the region for years to come.
Palestinians have an opportunity to play a constructive role in de-escalating the situation ignited by Netanyahu’s thoughtless words on the heritage sites.
The realities of a need for an immediate course change are so unambiguous that without it our survival as a Jewish and democratic state is sure to end.
We agree with Baskin’s opinion that approval to build on top of the cemetery “is not a legal issue — anything can be made legal. This is a moral issue and an issue concerning the ability of people of the three faiths to live together in this land and in this city.
Gershon Baskin facilitating at the IPCRI Middle East peace education workshop between Israelis and Palestinians.
With the Netanyahu right-wing religious government in power in Jerusalem it is clearer than ever that there is no partner for peace in Israel. The amazing thing about this statement is that the world believes that there is no partner in Ramallah.