Opinion
Only ourselves to blame
Yoel Meltzer
Published: 10.12.12, 19:28
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14 Talkbacks for this article
1. This author is BRILLIANT.. the problem is now crystal clear
OMG ,   Israel   (12.10.12)
the problem is US!!!!!!! What many of us have been saying for years but some has finally put down in words.
2. Yisrael Beiteinu, in the end, was a
Robert Haymond ,   Israel/Gush Etzion   (12.10.12)
disappointment. We must now support Jewish Home, a party which directly advocates the annexation of (some of) the land east of the Green Line (a ceasefire line, not a border). We are more aware than ever of the importance. both bibically and from the perspective of security (see Martin Sherman's writings for a strong analysis).
3. They still have NOTHING that Israel doesn't give them.
Bunnie Meyer ,   Los Angeles, CA USA   (12.10.12)
Israel CONTROLS EVERYTHING. Not the EU, not the US, not the UN, but Israel.
4. Arab State.
Jake Singer ,   NYC USA   (12.10.12)
Arab is a Pan ethnicity, not an ethnicity. Arab is not a political party or ideology either. Maybe your main concern should be whether a Palestinian Secular or Religious state will be created? This too is in Israel's control. They choose to take the easy path of militarization of the Settlement Industry. This creates hatred and poverty among the the occupied Palestinians, leaving the door open for Islamists to take over from moderate secularists among the Palestinians. Gaza and Israel's initial support and funding of Hamas bears this out. If the occupation forces showed themselves even-handed and protected all humans alike in the territories, encouraged economic cooperation and growth with their neighbors, then surely secularists will have the upper hand and relations between both sides would begin to heal.
5. If not a Palestinian state.....
Bertram ,   London, UK   (12.10.12)
....then what are the alternatives? The status quo and the probable continuation of unrest, the occasional intifada, suicide bombing, etc.? Maybe an enlarged single Israeli state? If the latter, then, expulsion of the non-Jewish population, or its retention with the granting of full citizenship? If the former, what would happen if there was no other country which would accept those who have been expelled? If the latter, could Israel accept the resulting demographic change? These are the real questions to be faced.
6. GOOD article!!!!!!! CHAG SAMEIACH!
Jerry ,   The Netherlands   (12.10.12)
7. 2 State Solution Is Dead
YetiHunter ,   Canada   (12.10.12)
It died with Hamas wanting it all.
8. re: really Bunnie????
Cali Cal ,   Los Angeles, CA   (12.10.12)
If the United Nations Security Council decides to recognize a Palestinian state will come about. The US controls Israel in the end my dear. We can cut off loans and weaponry and leave you to your own devices.
9. Would be the end of Israel
Ferdinand ,   France & Israel   (12.10.12)
A truly bizarre article. If Israel annexes the whole area, we immediately face two options. Either giving the inhabitants the vote, turning Israel into an Arab state. Or keeping the inhabitants outside the vote, thus making true the accusations of apartheid that today are so false. The author proposes the end of the Jewish and democratic Israel, nothing less.
10. Palestinian Rights
Zivron   (12.11.12)
The Arabs of Israel can only stay if they can live in peace with Peaceloving Jewish neighbours.All jihadi Holocaust Deniers violent anti Jewish Security there is no place.this includes Jewish price tag agents provocauters ..
11. RIGHT YOU ARE !
FO ,   Belgium   (12.11.12)
I quote you writing :"... Israeli leaders, including current PM Netanyahu, supporting the establishment of yet another Arab state... rather than confidently and unabashedly asserting the rights that the Jewish people have to the land, be it Biblical rights or legal rights (Mandate, San Remo etc)". Well,the most unbelievable fact is the following: it is internationally accepted, that UNSC resolution 242 is the cornerstone for a settlement of the conflict between Israel and its neighbours. What most people try to hide, and what in an incredible manner ALL Israeli prime ministers refuse to consider and expose, is the fact that resolution 242 is based on the decisions of the League of Nations of 1922, that gave the Jewish people the irrevocable right to settle between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River, including the Golan Heights. These rights are even reaffirmed by Article 80 of the Charter of the United Nations. Prof. Eugene Rostow, author of Resolution 242, explained how and why he formulated the famous "withdrawal FROM territories" and not "withdrawal from THE territories". Rostow argued that in case of a settlement, Israel would have to retreat from the Sinai Desert, at that moment still in Israeli hands, and representing more than 90% of the "occupied territories", but never was part of the Jewish National Home. For the rest, that is Judea, Samaria, Jerusalem, Golan, Israel had legal ownership rights, as decided by the League of Nations, that could not be contested ! This is the essence of UNSC resolution 242, explained by Rostow to the members of the UNSC and moulded in a text acceptable to all. Now Mr. Meltzer, give me a valuable reason why the Israeli leadership obstinately refuses to brandish this iron strong legal "weapon" ?
12. "This creates hate and poverty among
Robert Haymond ,   Israel/gush Etzion   (12.11.12)
occupied Palestinians", quoted from Jake's comment #4. In fact, it's quite the opposite situation, Jake. We provide innumerable construction jobs to neighbouring Arab villagers in Judea and Samaria and some of these selfsame Arab workers are wealthy contractors. While the payscale is less than what Jews would be paid, cost of living amongst Arabs is much less as they pay no taxes, nothing for water and nothing from power. In addition, there are Jewish entrepreneurs who continually hire Arabs on a longterm basis in our industrial parks and in supermarkets (Rahmy-Levys). If this source of income were to dry up, as it did after the Yasser Arafat inspired intifada, then Arab villagers would become very poor again. You are looking for a culprit, Jake, but you're looking in the wrong place. The fault lies with a sixty year old welfare society (Westbank Arabs)propped up by the UN and sundry other sources, lack of enterprise and innovation and, mostly, huge and egregious corruption amongst the leaders, i.e., Arafat himself and now Abbas and family. As to socalled "occupation", really, we "oocupy" 0.1% of the total landmass of Mideastern Arab countries plus Iran and only .3% of the population. And you would agree, wouldn't you, that an historical analysis would indicate that we have a strong and ancient association with the lands east of the Green Line (ceasefire line, not a border)?
13. Only Ourselves to Blame
C. Givon ,   Jerusalem, Israel   (12.11.12)
Once again, kudos to Meltzer who sees it and tells it 'as it is'. The foolish 'small steps' to appease our critics eventually become 'large errors' . Those who promote yet another state for the Palestinian Arabs are not aware of historical fact. In less than 90 years - since San Remo- our promised homeland has been whiitled down from a viable state to a thin slice and that has still not satisfied our enemies. Thanks, Yoel, for presenting reality so clearly!
14. #9. Pay "Palestinian" poseurs to leave our land.
Chaim ,   Israel   (12.11.12)
#9. Many Israeli and American studies prove Jews are a growing majority in Israel, including Judea and Samaria. The "demographic bomb" to which you allude is a proven hoax. The answer is simple. Pay "Palestinian" poseurs to leave our land permanently, as most want to.
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