Comments on: The Day In Israel: Tuesday Feb 9th, 2010

By: Meri Stipek

Meri Stipek — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 16:00:30 +0000

Thanks for a pleasant article!

By: Y.K.

Y.K. — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 20:09:39 +0000

"Land for peace" is essentially a "cash for credit" deal, and unfortunately the Arabs' ran out. As we saw in the last ten years, there's absolutely no risk to the Arabs if they default – instead the U.N. will rush to bail them out and demand more Israeli concession to stimulate a "peace process" (after condemning the Israeli response). By now, many Israelis want to foreclose the entire concept.

Btw, note that the Jordan peace and Syria relative quiet were achieved without significant territorial concession, that "withdrawal of support" is essentially unenforceable**, that "normalization" is completely not in store, and that a Golan deal would be unrecoverable for Israel unlike Egypt or Jordan deals. That said, I don't think it's even close to happening – the Syrian regime needs an external enemy, so they'll always come up with new demands***. I believe Syria overestimates its position significantly, and will find out their chance has gone by the time they actually decide to do a deal.

** e.g. Jordan kept hosting Maashal until Israel made it too embarrassing, but required the release of Yassin from jail. i.e. we were bargaining to release a terrorist with a country we were supposedly at peace with!

*** Assad in an interview with Sy Hersh recently demanded Israel will accept "refugees" from Syria. That was after declaring Israel won't get any "peace" but only a treaty, that Syria will keep its current relations with Iran after any deal and demanding more territory than the Golan proper…

By: juvanya

juvanya — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 19:08:32 +0000

Golan is the most possible because we are working with a state, not a bunch of people in 500 militias. The problem is that "dorktator" could easily "allow" miltias to setup shop in Golan and then claim he has no power to stop the militias. Not a prospect I think anyone wants. The Golan border is the one conventional border Israel has left where tanks are still usable.

And so…

By: juvanya

juvanya — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 19:06:14 +0000

It's still a wonderful question that cant really be defeated by anyone with a brain.

By: Jim from Iowa

Jim from Iowa — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 10:10:27 +0000

Yes, I am pro-Israel and I still believe land for peace works better than any other alternative. Israel has made peace with Egypt and Jordan and the peace has held for decades. Syria, while still hostile to Israel, no longer has plans for a military solution to their problems with Israel. I can see the Golan Heights as a demilitarized zone in return for normalized relations with Syria (including their withdrawal of support for anti-Israeli elements in Lebanon such as Hezbollah) East Jerusalem is a tough nut and I don't have a real solution. But then I'm just an American, and a Goy at that! You guys can come up with a solution and we Americans will support a negotiated settlement.

By: Michael Zvi Krumbein

Michael Zvi Krumbein — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 06:39:38 +0000

Well, we have at least one person on this site who says this, but he is not anti-Israel.

By: juvanya

juvanya — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 03:29:49 +0000

I love that guy that says "You are failing your exams"

By: juvanya

juvanya — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 03:17:24 +0000

That is similar to something I am starting to ask anti-Israelis more and more:
Do you really think peace will come if all Jewish residents leave the "west bank", "east" Jerusalem, and Golan?

So far I have not heard someone say yes. Usually avoidance. Although I've only asked a few people.

By: juvanya

juvanya — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 01:28:48 +0000

I would love to be at such a speech. Unfortunately, I would probably be arrested for assault and battery.

By: Jim from Iowa

Jim from Iowa — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:46:20 +0000

Thanks for sharing this video of the disrespectful treatment of Ambassador Oren at UC-Irvine, Dave. As an American, I am angry and embarrassed that a high-ranking official representing the interests of our close ally should be treated this way at an American university. The faculty member was rightly outraged at such behaviour by some in the audience. This is not free speech. This is thuggish behaviour and should not be tolerated. Security was there and acted appropriately (i.e. no violence) but I think the evening was ruined for everyone in the audience and for Ambasador Oren.