This sounds all so very sensible and maybe even workable. Nevertheless, until and unless the Palis, both Hamas and Fatah, unequivocally and for all the world to see and hear, change their charters to include the recognition of the State of Israel and its right to exist, it's all a waste of whatever air it takes to talk about any of it. Once things no longer suit either Hamas or Fatah, they can go back on any agreements, hanging their hats on the contention that these agreements with an illegitimate State are, if not outright illegal, at least, not binding. Given the past, I suspect, that wouldn't be too far down the road.

We've heard it already too many times. As an apolgist for the Palestinians, Becher obviously fails to answer her own question correctly. Who "squeezed the life out of the democratically elected Palestinian government" she asks? The bottom line is that the Palestinians did it to themselves. Becher tries to sell the blind extreme leftist ideology of the "democratically elected" Palestinian partner called Hamas. However, the extreme Leftists like Becher fail to see that the Leftist constinuancy in Israel also accepts the reality that Hamas may have received a plurality government, but that in no way makes them democratic, liberal, or progressive in the slightest. The opposite is true. Hamas exploited the election, and then staged a military coup in Gaza. Hamas wants to do to Israelis, Becher included, exactly what they did to Fatah. Becher must be a totally blind idealogue if she believes for a second that Hamas wants a two-state solution. They don't. They say so in English to placate gullible people like Becher. They say the opposite in Arabic and have said so repeatedly since coming to power. And what do they want? To drive us out of Israel, and kill us all if they get to that point.

There was no "Palestinian people" in 1948. As a matter of fact, they didn't exist until the Arab League invented them in 1967. The recent events proved once again that this invention - a "nation" springing up from nothing - is nothing but a pathetic, empty ploy. Why must our psychotic Leftist elites parrot the propaganda of our enemies? Dear Susie Becher, you are an enemy of the people of Israel. I hope to see you and your ilk banished from our homeland, to dwell with your anti-semitic ideological kin in Eurabia and other Waqf lands; there, your driver will be applauded.

The author suggests that the remedy for resolving the 100 year old conflict is to create another Arab state, with the 67 cease fire lines as the borders. She is dreaming, these borders are one indefensible, and two, would require the dismantling of every Jewish town, city and village over the so-called green line., including Jerusalem. That aint' going to be done, no way, no how. Abbas can be killed tomorrow, then what? Both Hamas and Fatah have essentially the same goals..one state, from the Med. to the Jordan River (and maybe beyond). Her forumula is a formula for Israel's destruction., and that is the danger of these kinds of solutions. They lull Israelis into a dream state of wishful thinking. Yes, there is a remedy: Israel should allow for antonomous regions..controled by itself, perhaps Egypt and Jordan, all tightly supervised. No PAL state., ever. When the Arabs attacked Israel 3 times, they lost any rights to anything. Hamas, Islamic Jihad, Fatah, PFLP, DFLP,, Al Qaeda...what's the real difference except the names?

Has to be pretty bad. If the only choice to letting the Palestinians fight their civil war as they wish is to side with the gangsters of Fatah then better to do nothing.

"A Hamas spokesman reiterated on Friday that the movement's goal is the establishment of an independent state along the 1967 borders. This message must not fall on deaf ears." View these clips from Hamas so that the real Hamas message does not fall on deaf ears. Notice the child saying we "will annihilate the jews": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lv3dvYhFk_Y&mode=related&search= http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-7kid5yFhw The message from Hamas, past, present and future calls for the elimination of Israel even if an independent state is obtained. A truce is only the first step to obtain a state. The second step to is carry on jihad against Israel with Israel's destruction as its goal. Hamas and the Arab world are and have been indoctrinating hate in its children to fight future wars. Peace is not option. : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhbHVEGnYD8&mode=related&search= http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhbHVEGnYD8&mode=related&search= http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yw2EisVqKZ4&mode=related&search=

Since the left-wing polls show that her party will get 4 seats, i.e., 3.3% of the population will vote for this small extremist group, why we need to read every day their propoganda and lust for more Jewish blood?

the arab world should not be classified as moderate or extremist it should be classified as bonkers [[moderate/pragmatist ]and stark raving bonkers crazy [extremist/non pragmatist ]their goals are the same a muslim caliphate worlwide but the methods are different the "moderates" are pragmatic and are amenable to negotiation the "extremists" are non pragmatic and are not open to negotiation .They work hand in hand good cop bad cop ,their goals are the same the destruction of the civilised world and worldwide anarchy the proof is Arafat let Hamas and Islamic Jihad flourish and the Egyptians let hundreds of tons of arms and ammunition flow to Hamas in Gaza .Therefore they should all be treated as extremist and appropriate measures taken

How far the loony left has come never ceases to amaze me! Hamas, which is a threat not only to Israel, but to the moderate Arab states, must now be negotiated with? Even Abbas would disagree with the author (check MEMRI.org for his latest speech.) Hamas is no better than Al Qaeda. It is the Muslim Brotherhoods' local chapter of Jihad, while AQ focuses their efforts globally. Let's not forget, these are merciless, fanatic killers we are talking about here. Actually, everyone should vote Meretz, especially if you sleep well at night knowing that Gaza, South Lebanon, and Syria are all under the auspices of that friendly country - Iran. Let's add the West Bank to their strategic portfolio too. Why should Sderot have all the Qassams? Everyone should share in the "fun"! I'm amazed and saddened that Israel - a country that talks about security 24 hours a day non-stop - managed to fall into a pincer movement by a vicicious monkey and his deranged compatriots.

They ALL claim ALL of OUR land as theirs. And Becher "forgets" that it was her Fatah terrorists who started this war of attrition, killing more Jews than Hamas. Expel them all.

Fatah is a terror group,just like hammas,the only difference Fatah is the terror group with a smile on their face

Einstein observed, "The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits."

Behind all the propaganda, it is clear that not Hamas waged a coup, but Israel and its Quartet and EU allies have been working openly to overthrow the results of the PA's "Legislative Assembly" elections, and the "government" formed on the basis of the "Prisoners Document". This latter was based on the program that expresses Palestinian unity: tear down the Wall, end the occupation, recognize the refugees' right of return and release political prisoners. When the dust settles, oppressed Palestinians will reach out to allies in Israel and abroad in an effort to bring about the regime change necessary to achieve their just goals. The first step is not succumbing to the propaganda. A Vichy government in Ramallah cannot be part of the Palestinian struggle for freedom. That is a just struggle, one that must be organized on a new, democratic, and effective basis. Peace-loving and democratic-minded Jews and Israelis should be taking the lead in Palestine solidarity.

As much as it's important to envision some kind of timely solution - whether on borders of 1967, 48, 95, etc. or on completely new ones - we can't turn optomisim into naivety. Neither Hamas nor Fatah want any of these borders. Honestly, they don't even want all of Israel. Hamas and Fatah want war and hate, so that they can blame their troubles and failures on scapegoat is all. So long as there is conflict, they can neglect humanitarian responsibilities, breed massive corruption, and play out their will without inhibition. This is why they won't renounce their denial of Israel, nor will they come to a cohesive agreement that will suddenly 'make things better' as a good many people are preaching (again). This isn't to say that we shouldn't talk or try to deal with them. Just that we should be ready for when they break the new agreement.

This article sheds some light on a very complex situation. Thank you for the thoughtful and interesting analysis. I hope the "right" people are reading this!

But why resort to facts when you can resort to Meretz propaganda and merely blame EVERYTHING on occupation?