Gershon Baskin feels that keeping the status quo means that Jews will not be allowed to pray on the Temple Mount for the foreseeable future and even though there is no justice in this, the reality of the sensitivity of the issue now demands that this issue be removed from the agenda until after there is peace.
Radio Sputnik discusses the latest escalation of tensions with socio-political activist and co-Chairman of Israel Palestine Creative Regional Initiatives (IPCRI) Gershon Baskin.
Gershon Baskin believes that when Jerusalem’s present and its future potential outshines its past, without losing respect and appreciation of its past, then Jerusalem will be a magnet, instead of being a burden.
Gershon Baskin feels that if we want Jerusalem to be recognized as the eternal capital of the State of Israel and the Jewish people, it must also be recognized as the eternal capital of the State of Palestine and the Palestinian people.
Gershon Baskin concludes that in the current wave of violence, facts have nothing to do with perception and perception has nothing to do with what people believe.
Gershon Baskin thinks that Abbas and the Palestinian Authority have not been the cause of the recent round of violence, though it is easy for the Israeli government and prime minister to point a finger at him.
Gershon Baskin feels that the current violence can end now, but it can also get out of control. It is not too late. It must end now and then the parties have to figure out how to get back to serious genuine negotiations for peace and security.
Gershon Baskin relates to the question “Is peace between Israel and the Palestinians further away than ever?” by stating that best possible form of negotiation has been when the leaders of two sides are left to face each other in a room by themselves.
Gershon Baskin claims that there is no real alternative to direct bilateral Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, and he knows for a fact that if Netanyahu was serious about negotiating, as he says in public, and came to Abbas with a genuine offer to negotiate, he would be answered positively.
Gershon Baskin feels that during this time of reflection and taking responsibility, this government and the opposition in Israel have a lot to atone for.