Look fellow posters, these proposals have been on the table for years, going back to Oslo 1. Nothing really new, just a confirmation. Assuming the Arabs would live in peace, it sounds fine. But the opposite is true. Once relinquished, Arab militants will pour into the area, from all over the Muslim world, to retake West Jerusalem, etc. What Israel has experienced with the Intifada, will seem like a boy scout picnic. This is what the gullible Israeli leftists and others don't get to this day. They see the dog waging the tale, it's just the opposite. And besides, what do the IsraeliArabs (Jordanian citizens) think of all of this? What is their say? Are they willing to lose all their benefits, or does Ramon propose to keep them in existence? A referendum will keep the status quo, which just may be the best thing. Giving them autonomy (control) but not sovereignty, is the best of many bad worlds.

Chava: I am an ardent Zionist, and during Oslo pleaded with the israelis consulate (and anyone who would listen), to change directions. Arafa threatened volence at every Israeli balk, until, even he, got caught in is own rhetoric. Today, there might have been a PALs state (with Kassams aimed at Tel Aviv, etc.), Now Israels leftist leadership is repeating a futile goal of peace. That's the problem., and that's why Israel says one thing and does another. They feign toughness, but give away land with no reciprocity. The Arabs, feign peace, but will continue warfare. It's all clear, except to some of your people. Maybe the idea of peace has fogged their minds? I don't know? If there is a referendum, and it's voted down, then Israel will be seen as an impediment to peace and just embolden it's enemies (a nuclear Iran). The solution: autonomy for some Arabs..control of, but not sovereignty for East Jerusalem Arab neighborhoods. Israel MUST RETAIN sovereignty..but allow freedom to rule, with security in Israel's hands, for better or worse.

You should not be negotiating anything especially the division of Jerusalem! When Jerusalem was controlled by the Jordanians before the 1967 war Jews were never even allowed in the city let alone near the Western Wall, or any other holy sites where Jews, Christians and other religions wanted to worship! The arabs desecrated sites holy to Jews when they controlled the city up until 1967 and showed no respect for any other religion that wished to worship in the city other than Islam! This is complete stupidity! Give back the most religious city in the world that is a major place for worshippers from the world's 3 largest religions to a bunch of arab terrorists who do not even stop firing rockets at the sovreign nation of Israel and still wishing to have more suicide bombers kill more Jews and Christians while, in return getting to gurantee for peace and security! Who in their right mind would even go along with this plan at all? You must be on drugs and be hallucinating or something to think Israel should split Jerusalem and give part of it to a religion that preaches hate and the murder of anyone else of a different faith! Bottom line is if you give up part of Jerusalem you are basically saying "hey don't worry you don't need to stop the terrorist attacks we will destroy ourselves for you!"

The real problem is not that they are asleep, they are very much partially awake. They know what's happening but are being hoodwinked by very, very clever Arabs, and naive Israeli leaders (and some people). This is not about Jeru or the W.Bk or borders or refugees..it's about survival. Israelis are dreaming if they think it's less. Why should the Arabs behave differently? Syrian and Iranian Missiles are over 1,400, and Hez over 20,000. Hamas is building an army, little by little. Sderot is just the tip of the iceberg..and yet Israel has no effective response. What happens when mushroom clouds are threatened over Tel Aviv? Then what? Israel has to act NOW, NOW NOW. It must show it's cards, or it will lose the entire game sooner than later. Hitler's Germany and Tojos Japan were bombed to ash..Israel should have learned a lesson by all of that. This is war, and wars are dirty business. Why is Israel still dreaming, I ask? Why?

By expecting too much, Jews annd Arabs condemn themselves to perpetual war, killing and tragedy until one side wins overwelmingly. It doesn't say much about the common sense of the people involved.

Iraq is what the Arab world has been all about for generations. Iraqi, killing innocent Iraqi children..is their motivation for living, along with going to heaven with 72 virgins. These are bad, dysfunctional, but shrewed people. It's all about oil baby, and destroying entire peoples (the Jews, Kurds, etc.). This is war, War, WAR. Unless Israel gets smart (er), they stand to lose, surrounded by people like the person you commented about. At least he told the truth, like Hamas, Fatah militants and Hezbollah, not to forget Iran. They want Israel wiped off the map, to be replaced by an Islamic State. It's really simple., but not obvious to Israeli do-gooders and wishful thinkers. Unless Israel wakes up, it will find itself inundated with Arab armies..in all it's streets, towns and cities. Then it will be too late. That should be Israel's concern, not appeasing Abbas's Fatah, or Condi (lame duck as she is). Israel should listen to Bolton, not Peres. Take a lesson from No. Koreas backing down. It's all about strength and realistic visions of the future. Freedom is not free. Get the UN out of the US and the US out of the UN.

WE HAVE A YOUNG JEWSIH SOLDIER WHO GAVE HIS LIFE TO ISRAEL AND THIS IMBECILE WITH HIS 100 THOUSAND DOLLAR A YEAR SALARY AND HIS NEW AUDI WITH A CHAUFFER GIVING US HIS PATHETIC OPINION,GOD HELP THE STATE OF ISRAEL

Jerusalem has *never* been the capitol of anything but the Jewish nation state. Only Israel has proven willing to guarantee access to holy sites to all faiths (except for restrictions on Temple Mount). If this plan goes through, Jerusalem will become like Baghdad, with regular assaults on Jews and tourists. But Israel will be hindered from responding because that would violate Palestinian "sovereignty". Ramon's dream of peace will become everyone's nightmare.

Let's see give up the holy sites which are israel's life and blood as far as tourism is concerned, give up the Wailing Wall and the Temple Mount, and Hebron. So in essence there will not be a Israel. http://ralphsrant1.blogspot.com/

B.S. ?!!!!!! ATTENTION TO THE MACHINATIONS OF THE VILE , IN THE FORM OF A "TEST BALOON" SUCKERS OF MANIPULATIONS !!!

As a Christian I believe the promise G-d gave to Abraham. And it pains me that anyone, much less a Jew, or even my president, would give away that which belongs to the Jews from G-d. Every time some land is given away something bad happens. I pray that these souls would read their Bibles and find out what G-d has promised. If they do, and still give it away, they have no faith. What G-d says G-d does. Final Answer!

If ramon is not using a Hookah before making his proposal, like wow man, I'd be suprized. Or maybe the EU promised to pay him off if he spouts this babble. In any case, the measure of concessions should be the extent of the security risk posed. After the results we saw in Gaza after Sharon was converted to optimism, one would think there would be restraint and reason put before gushing optimism. does rammon really want rockets falling all over jerusalem like they are in sederot? and if so, why?