Way back on March 31, 1977, the Dutch newspaper Trouw published an interview with Palestine Liberation Organization executive committee member Zahir Muhsein. Here's what he said: The Palestinian people does not exist. The creation of a Palestinian state is only a means for continuing our struggle against the state of Israel for our Arab unity. In reality today there is no difference between Jordanians, Palestinians, Syrians and Lebanese. Only for political and tactical reasons do we speak today about the existence of a Palestinian people, since Arab national interests demand that we posit the existence of a distinct "Palestinian people" to oppose Zionism. For tactical reasons, Jordan, which is a sovereign state with defined borders, cannot raise claims to Haifa and Jaffa, while as a Palestinian, I can undoubtedly demand Haifa, Jaffa, Beer-Sheva and Jerusalem. However, the moment we reclaim our right to all of Palestine, we will not wait even a minute to unite Palestine and Jordan.

"Disgrace" is not the right word in this case. Blown apart buses, the Delfinarium discotheque, etc., accounting for 2000 murdered Israelis, occurred AFTER the political corpse of Arafat had been brought to Ramallah together with his thugs and their machine guns. So the term "disgrace" has to be substituted with a different one. Every reader can make his/her own opinion.

allows for the Arabs to play games with Israel and world anti-Semitism.

There was never a ''peace process'' - it was a fraud from the beginning, a con game & we were the suckers. The only ''process'' is the one to eliminate a sovereign Jewish state. We are buried in an avalanche of Orwellian rhetoric that disguises reality. And, the reality is that we are expected to cooperate in our own national suicide.

The writer lost me with the first paragraph. Peace? Political rights? Coexistance? Please! When was this ever about any of that? When has Islam ever, EVER shown they wanted any of the above choices? Get real willya!

Palestinians recognised Isreal State long before, with the final stage issues to be agreed upon including the refugees issue. Today you can't make changes to your state IDENTITY and affect such a final stage subject in addition to disagreement between Israelis themselves(Jews,Arabs,...) with this regard and Request the PA to recognize that. Today the israeli government is escaping the reality moment of proceeding with peace process under good intentions to end the OCCUPATION that started in 1967 and close all pending issues according to international law. Don't support Natenyahoo because he is escaping to keep his chair and sacrifice israeli and palestinians lives with no tears

Moshe Dann hits "the point"- The Palestinians will never move an inch. The sad part is our leaders in 1993 were in complete denial and our present leaders have no backbone.

“Wasn't Palestinian recognition of Israel as a Jewish state part of the Oslo Accords” No it wasn’t. It should be noted that it was *never* a demand during the 1990’s that the PLO recognize Israel as a “Jewish State”. In the 1993 Letters of Recognition, which Israel accepted, the PLO stated quite clearly that: “The PLO recognizes the right of the State of Israel to exist in peace and security”. Also in regard to the peace treaties between Israel and Jordan/Egypt there was *never* a demand that Jordan or Egypt recognize Israel as a “Jewish State”. Likewise Israel has never demanded that any Western nation state or International body (ie: the UN) recognize Israel as a “Jewish State”. This demand for the PLO to recognize Israel as a “Jewish State” was only formulated in recent years and is nothing more than a ploy to eke out further concessions from the PLO. The PLO has fully recognized the State of Israel and to exist in peace and security and any further insertions of terminology by Israel into this accepted recognition will not be entertained.

Wait for Tehran accord!

So many arguments spent analyzing details of a self-destructive process, when the immediate cause can be summed up with a short but honest answer to Mr. Dann's question: "And why is PM Netanyahu willing to make more concessions ...?" If we were to focus on that question alone - and expand it to include the names of past politicians who made concessions to the Arabs their main legacy - then we would better understand Israel's rush into self-destruction: To put it gently, it's about government's indifference to the wishes and best interests of the population. Unless citizens regain control by making their voices count, your leaders will continue to make deals that jeopardize Israel's survival. And you can't make yourselves heard unless you speak out more forcefully, more effectively, and presenting a united front against partition. The clatter of computer keyboards does not scare your politicians. Concerted political action does. Unite and get behind a strong anti-partition campaign to show the world - and your own government - that you won't be intimidated by foreign leaders' manipulative tantrums, or be distracted by internal political games (the freeze). Demand sovereignty over all the land.

...without any preconditions!! The person who actually pushed for pre-conditions and by so doing broke his commitment to the process was Mr. Barack H. Obama who directly and indirectly demanded of Jews to refrain from moving into and construct their homes in certain villages, towns and even city neighborhoods. What Obama did was not only breaking US commitment agreed by the parties, but also continued to relentlessly promote anti-Jewish racism, demanding only of Jews and of no one else to cease construction in territories that are still in DISPUTE. America, this is the President you elected into office!! America, it is high time for a change!!

As a paper that has clearly shown it's left leaning preference, this article seems to be pointing to the fact that the Israeli Political Left has no following left to speak of. Good riddens to them, and welcome to the real world, Ynet. Hope to be reading your paper and site more often now that I have read this, and your reader's comments supporting the article.

Why is Israel offering concessions in return for what was agreed to in past deals? Because we have NO real leaders and it seems that unfortunately, the vast majority of the population are stupid fools as well !!!

If the PLO (on behalf of the Palestinians, per the Oslo Accords) recognized Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state, "in peace and security," (1) why don't they reaffirm that now? (2) why does the PA continue to support incitement and terrorism?

It is clear that the current Israeli government and the Israeli right are morally and politically bankrupt. It is time for the U.S. or Quartet to put an end to Israeli obfuscation and impose a two state solution. Barring that, the PA needs to consider other non-violent alternatives to removing the settlement cancer from the heart of Palestine so the people of Palestine, whatever their religion, may flourish under a government of their people.

The world keeps on making demands on us without ever holding the Arabs to any of their obligations. Have the stopped the violence - not for a single day. Have they recognized Israel at all - not yet. Claims to the contrary are lies. Have they stopped incitement - just the opposite it has increased. Have they negotiated with us face-to-face - yeah right. Have they amended their charter - find such an amended charter it doesn't exist. Have they disarmed terrorist organizations - they are terrorist organizations and there more weapons than ever. Have they arrested terrorists - nobody has ever been arrested for attacking Jews period. And what have our so-called leadership done about it - nothing.

you are mislead, jim of ramallah.... in the declaration of independence of Israel exactly written: "... HEREBY DECLARE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A JEWISH STATE IN ERETZ-ISRAEL, TO BE KNOWN AS THE STATE OF ISRAEL." tell me better, why till 1967 not even one "palestinian" protested against occupation by Jordan and Egypt? tell me, where was the "palestinian" nation in 1967?????

Every single point Moshe Dann makes about the "peace process" is correct. Bibi's conduct towards Abbas and the P.A. is downright disgusting. As Dann notes, Bibi offers the P.A. further dangerous concessions simply to live up to comittments the P.A. has already made in past agreements. It would be disgusting enough if Bibi was a Labor or Meretz P.M. This is the kind of cowardly appeasing conduct these parties represent. However, Bibi belongs to Likud, a party created to be vehemently right wing, patriotic and massively settle our land. Bibi betrays Likud and the vast majority of Israeli voters with his conduct. On top of all this is the fact that Israel has absolutely nothing to gain, and everything to lose in talks with the P.A. There is not a single goal of these talks which benefits Israel. The talks' goals are all disastrous for Israel. More than a disgrace, the "peace process" is a complete fraud.

Peace process existed only in Peres' mind,he's responsible for the current situation and he was awarded with the Presidency. The fact that Israel is lacking leadership is a consequence of the destructive leftist activity that ensued the the Oslo Accord. Netanyahu and his mentor Barak just making the current shameful situation worse.

The past "agreements" ARE a fake. Islamic morality allows deception if it advances Islamic hegemony. No pacts with the PA or Hamas can be trusted .Maybe in 100 years ,but history teaches us otherwise.

Palestinians want one state for them and another half-state in Israel. Oh yeah and the refugees return. The basic principle of the fair negotiations should be complete resolution of the conflict with both sides recognizing each other as "national homelands" of Jewish and Palestinian people respectively. As long as Palestinians insist on right of return there is nothing to talk about.

The Palestinians can recognize Israel as soon as Israel recognizes a viable and sovereign Palestinian State with E. Jerusalem as its capital.

US Congress&Pres.Harding signed Balfour giving concertrated jewish settlement between Jordan R.and the Mediter.Sea.No Political rights to arabs in palestine political rights were given in Iraq,Sryia,Lebonan Jordan &20 other countries

Negotiations were a fraud we congratulate Abbass for confirming this in insisting onn 67 borders. Hats off to Abass he saved our politicians butts. The freeze is over we take possession again of what is rightfully ours. As I said before let Abass Chat with Jordan they can make a plan for him we have had enough of the bluff. Thanks #1 your article should be resurected and pasted all over the world and let these terrorists be damned. Lets bury the deception of these smiling deceiving personages. The belong in the gutter of Jordan Iran and any other brotherly Arab establishment. We continue to build Bibi you are such a good fellow find another job Abass saved your skin. No freeze Enougn diplomacy. Now be Jewish and bring your son son up to be a mentch. Keep smiling and zipp it. Let BHO be depatched. Keep your head down and crowch like lion while these desparado. squirm.

There is no such country to recognize. Nor will we surrender our capital to anybody. So when you get your head out of your ass you might figure out that if the Arabs refuse they will never have a country period.

Matty, I'd say that you need to go study some history because many of your assertions are not only wrong but some simple research would quickly show that. Then again, you don't really care, do you because your mind is shut like a steel trap. Gosh Matty, the US recognizes Israel as a Jewish state right. Not only was this question just asked and answered, it's been addressed many times in the past by US presidents. Matty, go look up the relevant UN declarations regarding Israel's founding. Then come back and tell us how the UN never said anything about this.

Ze'ev, She doesn't care about the details and never lets the truth get in her way. She's here only to bash Israel.