Comments on: Going Forward by Going Back to 1967

By: LeaNder Hahn

LeaNder Hahn — Wed, 25 May 2011 12:40:00 +0000

Considering the many, many standing ovations in US congress, why not swap presidents? Obama goes to Israel and Bibi becomes president of the US?

By: Michael Corey

Michael Corey — Tue, 24 May 2011 19:49:00 +0000

I’ve never seen public negotiations work in the private sector. Usually the best progress is made confidential negotiating sessions that take place between two parties that want to reach an agreement. All negotiators are aware of their BATNA (best alternative to a negotiated agreement); and keep this in mind during negotiations. It appears to me that both sides believe that their respective BATNA is likely to be better for them than a negotiated arrangement. Israel in a negotiation will have to give up territory and there is no assurance to them that the resultant entity will not seek its existential negation.

Besides these negotiating process and substance concerns, I think that the entire process suffers from a lack of vision for the proposed Palestinian state. It might exist and I’m just not aware of it. Beyond the establishment of the state, what does this state aspire to be, and how does it propose getting there? In order to generate support and investment in the future state a compelling vision needs to created. What are the core competencies that can be capitalized on to achieve it? For instance, can the new state become a regional center for education, engineering and healthcare, or does it aspire to support its prosperity through technology? An economic base needs to be established, and the political, social, and cultural aspirations need to be identified. While thinking about the borders may be an entry point, it will go nowhere unless there is a powerful vision.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 24 May 2011 15:58:00 +0000

It seems obvious that Bibi has to go before there can be any chance of peace. He conveniently leaves out a key part of what Obama was saying when lecturing on the viability of Israel’s borders. By ignoring the condition of “mutually agreed swaps” proposed not only by Obama, but previous administrations, he sets up the US as not being a supporter of Israel. Just today I picked up the phone, which I don’t usually do when I’m not sure of the caller ID, but the ring woke me up and I was half asleep. A recorded woman’s voice said she was calling on behalf of the Republican-Jewish Coalition, and proceeded to say that President Obama has called for Israel to return to the 1967 borders and wanted to ask me three short questions. First question: “If you support Israel, press 2.” I found that question something like “when did you stop beating your wife.” I support Israel, but I feel in order for Israel to live in peace with its neighbors, the status quo has to to change. I didn’t press 2, waiting for the next question, but instead, the mechanical woman just repeated the same question. Another pause, then the voice gave a number to call if I didn’t want to be called again. I don’t remember the number, but if I can find one for the Republican-Jewish Coalition, I’d like to give someone a piece of my mind, though I know it won’t stop these calls from spewing falsehoods where ever they can get someone to answer to phone.