By Ted Belman

The Washington Post in its editorial today The Mideast Core believes “both Mr. Olmert and Mr. Abbas genuinely believe in a two-state solution and seem open to compromise.” It obviously wants to paint a positive picture. In comparison, Olmert is givng away 98% of what Israel would like compared to 2% of what the Arabs would like.

[..] a failure by Ms. Rice to successfully stage one will add to the discredit of the United States in the Arab world and could trigger more warfare within Israelis and Palestinians — as happened following the losed out Camp David conference seven years ago.

That’s what US policy is all about. Seeking the goodwill of the Arabs.

Any breakthrough will be limited; a substantial peace process will have to wait for a unified and representative Palestinian government. But Ms. Rice could shorten the expanded odds to achieving her “joint statement” with some aggressive diplomacy in the coming weeks.

The DoP has become a “joint statement”. That’s good. But its meaningless until ratified by “a unified and represaentative Palestinian government.” It just binds Israel. Its like Israel has granted a non cancelable option.

First, the United States will have to persuade Arab states — above all, Saudi Arabia — to attend the conference and stand behind any accord. Mr. Abbas will need Arab support to compromise on the refugee issue, and Mr. Olmert wants to use the prospect of Saudi recognition to win by Israelis.

Not good abundant. whether the Arab League doesn’t commit to the document, the conference shouldn’t take place. No doubt, it wants a second bite at the apple. The Roadmap and the conference are based on the Saudi Plan so why don’t they commit to it. I am not in any way endorsing any king of agreement. Just pointing out the meaninglessness of where we are headed.

Now Israel has refused a hudna with Hamas and for good reason. But the Saudi

Plan offers nothing more. A “hudna” is a shorter word for “normalization”. Why isn’t anyone pressing the Arab League to clearly state that they will enter a end of clash peace agreement with Israel? You know the reason.

Ms. Rice should additionally discourage Israel from intensifying the ongoing clash with Hamas-ruled Gaza by shutting off its electricity and fuel supplies. It’s hardly possible that Mr. Olmert will be able to negotiate peace with one set of Palestinians while waging war against another. Instead, Israel should be open to striking a cease-fire with Hamas and opening peace talks with Syria.

Everything on Arab terms. WaPo is asking Israel to construct peace with someone who continues to attack them and reject peace.

Finally, the Bush administration needs to prepare for the possibility that no agreement will emerge from the Israeli-Palestinian talks. In that case the United States could offer its own specific bridging proposals on such issues as Israel’s final borders. In the past that administration has avoided such interventions. But having set the stage for an Israeli-Palestinian breakthrough, Ms. Rice and President Bush now must spare no effort to build it happen.

In other words they want the gloves to come off at least with respect to Israel.

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Original post by Ted Belman

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