The world is sick of Netanyahu's lack of policy

And you believe the Turks who are persecuting the Kurds in Mosul and Kirkuk ,staging cross border raids against the Kurdish freedom fighters(Peshmer gar),occupying Constantinople,sheer ignorance and hypocrisy?

That,s telling him Duby ,all those billions of taxpayers dollars paying for Suha and daughter in their five star Geneva,Paris,Monte Carlo hotel apartments ,not forgeting the corrupt Fatah elite receiving their monthly payouts from the same funds,a world of obscene hypocrisy.

So Vladek would have Europe ,Russia and Obama wate more taxpayers on Palestine .What happened to those billions of taxpayers money given to Palestine between 1948 and 2009 ,because i don,t see any evidence of it anywhere in Palestine ?

Col. I agree 100%. Israel has tried everything for peace, even now discussing giving back the Golan Heights, just another launching pad for their enemies. Mr.Netanyahu has tried for peace, but the Palenstines dont want peace, nor the terrorist, they like Iran's prez. wants to get rid of the Jews forever. Stand firm Bibi..

Who is The fellow Strenger that he can speak for the WHOLE world?

and all the past Israeli "fair peace" blockers. If Friedman is serious the only way the Palestinians would get a fair chance is if Obama gets off his back and he takes all US $$ with him!(probably impossible) To hold the Palestinians to the same level of blame as Israel is PIE.Israel has the cards and is the dealer the cards are all marked and dealing off the bottom is allowed. The Palestinians don't have a chance but are called bad losers when Israel keeps getting aces! Peace is bad for land expansion that in itself has been the problem from the beginning!!........PEACE EVER?

whatever you want to beleive, old bg. Obviously you have been sooooo brainwashed. "old chum"? I am 22 and no chum of yours

Israel west border will be set after negotiations. The current west border is provisional. By the same token Palestine sovereignity will be also defined by negotiations. That means that Palestine frontiers will be also defined by negotiations between teh parts, By now they deserve nothing and have nothing. Since Israel does not have an accepted a west frontier yet (the partition border was nulled by Arab and palestinian agression) Israel might have the right to demand to keep the settlement blocs, and offer the future Palestine state the region of Umm El Fahen, which currently is under Israel sovereignty. Finally the borders will be settled. In the meantime, no borders, no Palestine and Israel has the right to colonize in whaerever it wants.

Netanyahu's policy is that priority is given to our security. "The World" did and does not profide us any security, and trust in the UN after the smuggling report debacle , would be naive and far from responsible. "The world" may be sick , but blaming Netanyahu for putting our security first is not only sick but also dangerous.

Abbas himself confirmed that he was close to an agreement with Ulmart....but Nataniahu afterwads up the whole issue. That means only one thing. Ulmart made the offer and as usual Palestinians expected for a better deal, wasting again an opportunity. The same old story. Palestinians sure want peace. No question about it, however, without the jewish state.

Right wing media in Australia, as else where in the world have endeavored to paint the Zionist colonizers as being the victims of "Islamists," but Israel's own barbaric invasions of Lebanon and Gaza and the continued West Bank/East Jerusalem land grab is putting the true situation in the spotlight, and showing Israel for what it really is - an apartheid invasive occupation state. Please also understand, dudu, Australia has lost soldiers in the Zio-neocon generated wars in the Middle East. Israel is sure to become even less popular while ever it continues to practice double standards, and blatantly ignores UN resolutions/Goldstone report.

There is nothing anymore to do than for Jews to decide how to live with "their" Pals. The two state ticket has gone.

Precisely THESE territories: http://tinyurl.com/y8ewves/myths-mis-conceptions-propaganda/#within-frontiers-approved-by-the-General-Assembly-of-the-United-Nations-in-its-Resolution-of-November-29-1947 Israel declared itself a Sovereign state within the borders recommended by Res 181. It was recognized as such by the majority of the International Community of States, over riding the Arab States objections. Israel has never legally annexed any territory outside it's Sovereign borders of 14th May 1948.

with the Labour and Meretz political movements, and of course some of the leaders you mentioned, but the eventual change of course by both Ariel Sharon and Ehud Olmert, formerly right-wing and then centrists, only indicates that nothing is really written in stone. Perhaps the Ten Commandments were written in stone but when it comes to politics and socioeconomic concerns of a nation, how can leaderships not adapt to changes if they want to survive (also demographically survive)? There's proof throughout Israel's existence many political parties and movements began and later became extinct. Perhaps there's hope for Netanyahu still in the coming future but it also depends on his electorate of decades support.

Why is Netanyahu bad for Israel? You have not given any specifics. Let me repeat myself once again. The State of Israel had been attacked three times by the combined arab armies since 1948 and all three times they were defeated. Do you think they are going to return to 1967 borders and return the spoils of war. Do you or any muslim person think that precious Israeli lives were lost because of these repeated & violent attacks on Israel will be repeated? I dont think so. After all the above given knowledge for you to absorb in your pea brain it wont happen. Has all these arab countries so conveniently cannot remember. There were no previous discussions about construction freeze. It was only Obama who started this nonsense & now Abbas is repeating the same sentence over & over again. They know that Jersualm wont be returned, PLO & Hamas cannot get together, none of them wants to recognize the State of Israel, Iran & Syria wants to elminate Israel & Turkey is no better, is a hypocrit.

Strenger says Abbas probably regrets rejecting the offer of Olmert which is the most generous he will ever get. What does he think Abbas is, someone who does not know his mind? Abbas rejected the deal because the Palestinians do not want to live in peace with a Jewish state. They have been unable to destroy Israel by military means. So they want Israel to sign itself out of existence. Shouting night and day at Israel to make more concessions to those for whom no concession but Israel's suicide is enough- is just stupid.

During the 90's there was a serious movement for peace in Israel because moderate and reasonable leaders like Rabin and Yossi beilin aswell as Barak were listened to. They chose a moderate but realistic path. But Ariel Sharon, Olmert and now Netanyahu, all right wing fanatics have dominated Israeli politics over the past decade and now that peace movement has dwindled and Israel has become more right wing. This will not lead to peace in the future except for more frustration and resistance. Its not smart long term thinking. Israel cannot rely on US protection forever and the Arabs will only get stronger and stronger and will one way or the other find a way to harm Israel seriously, or at least balance the power.

Mr. S. is speaking in the name of the world as if there was a single voice and that voice was worth listening to. lt is a cacophony of self interests and if he, Mr. S. chooses to live his life according to those standards that is fine. Should that be the light guiding the chosen people?

I haven't had much regard 4 Freidman's positions since he supported invasion/occupation of Iraq as cure all to middle east problems. His "new" suggestions regarding US withdrawing from working toward peace 4 Israel/Palestine is simply a return to the Bush years of a hands off policy except for the continuing annual $3 billion stream of financial aid to Israel from the US taxpayer. In other words Friedman supports the status quo of walls, illegal settlements, 2+ year siege of Gaza, & land grabs. Who knew!

lebanon is civil war syria is tyranny saudi arabia is religious inqusition palestinian are decent people - but cursed with bad leaders the solution will be easy if decent peace making leader emerge... let us nurture the ground for them..

The Palestinians are "sucking up"to the EU.The EU is "sucking up"to the Arab league.The Arab league is "sucking up"to left wing europe(included SF and Y list).The left wing Europe "sucking up"to the ideology of world domination Islamism.

Obama has been talking and promising for 10 months,but does anyone knows his policy?,he has achieved nothing and that why all we know about his policy is nothing.I don't hear Strenger comments about the lack of policy with Obama,or the Palestinians.The"lack of policy"is not the reason,the world is sick,period.

small people use a big brush to try and conver everything but the truth. Israel is not accountable to anyone but to her G-d and her people. The way the "world' has treated Jews, they can go to hell. NEVER AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!

his back".OFF maybe,but certainly still AT his back.for without unstinting devoted full u.s. partnership,much of whose terms are probably undisclosed,the arab-israeli and the israeli-palestinian problems,would put on very different complexions.

they are more interested in cricket, AFL and Rugby than what Netanyahu does. And for maureen anne, if she should read this. Hamas has killed more "chooks", distroyed more hen houses, hot houses, crops, trees than your little brain can grasp when they took over the settlements in A'za Along with the settlers went 1000's of Plestinians jobs. Off course Hamas was happy to see the populations misery

...In every thing he says on the subject of Netanyahu's fierce defence of the status quo. Its all based on "just one more day in office" as if at the end of his days he will get a prize for simply having stayed Prime Minister for as long as he has. He will not have achieved anything except that. Strenger is wrong in only one regard, and that is that we cannot fall any further into our own abyss. We're already at the bottom, and Netanyahu and Lieberman are keeping us there.

"... which is probably the best any Israeli Prime Minister will ever present." Where is the map? Where are the terms? Put it on the table, where everyone can see it.

lets look at the bigger picture from all sides... Israel has the right and the left and within each sect there are strong factions that are divided on any solution, even kadima cant come out with a clear message on a sunny day. Arabs are so divided against each other that if a solution is presented they will lynch it to their own gains and by that it will evaporate before it is even served. you still have Iran and Syria along with Hezbollah, Saudi and Jordan with Egypt...different agenda opposite from one another, they directly impact the peace process and what have you, do you really think obama doesn't know all of this!!! the solution is never will be there a solution until one group does away with the other.

In fact, it's pretty much the same policy that Olmert, Barak, Sharon, Peres, and yes, even the now sainted Rabin had: Talk about "peace" while stealing Palestinian land.

Bibi went to Washington and gave solutions, not only for the conflict but also for oil dependence and Iran... I still haven't heard to anything the Americans have proposed as yet ( for an Obama who promised new thinking in the conflict that is a sad surprise) and what Friedman is proposing is that same American-solution-to-everything...if it gets too hard just give up and go away...they used it in Somalia, Iraq and now are weighing in Afghanistan and Israel. What kind of friend is America? Israel will do well to diversify its friends. Russia springs to mind.. Anyway with Obama numbers going down and Bibi solid on the pools he's on top....and that is just how things are, no matter how Bambi wants to show he's da man!!! Bibi must be just smiling at this point......

#14 Gershon Israel's rights to territory stop at the Green Line as established with the close of hostilities with Jordan in 1967. Eastward of that line, Israel is legally classified as a "belligerent occupier"; and the land she occupies is and remains Palestine. The territorial boundary remains fixed at the Green Line. What that adds up to, Gershon, is that Israel occupies Judea and Samaria, but has no legal claim to it, no ownership of it. And has not had since 135 BCE when the Roman Empire destroyed the government of Judea and sent her people into the dispersion. Check it out with the High Court of Israel.

Netanyahu has indicated by his lsck of sction precisely what he is willing and not willing to do. Since Abu Mazen refuses to negotiate, he has saved Netanyahu the trouble of creating excuses so that Israel will not have to negotiate. Netanyahu will not stop settler expansion, even temporarily, and his people are even now planning the next assault on Gaza currently scheduled for September, 2010. His present activity, i.e. doing nothing, amounts to stall tactics. Not very different from Olmert's clever stage play-acting. As for the "many other steps" he has taken, I fail to understand what you are talking about. Your reference to what "Israel has [done] in general" is equally obscure.

Netanyahu's haggling and avoidance of the real issues which threaten Israel existentialy, to name a few: limiting the options for a two state solution by building settlements and ignoring the further deterioration of Israel's international image, which will surely result on a Third Intifada breaking out seems to indicate that somehow he believes Israel can muddle through without a coherent strategy. To this low has Zionism sunk. I am quickly coming to the conclusion that Zionism itself has lost its way. Instead of visionaries whose intellect can pierce through the quandries of today to a future for the State in the midst of the nations of the world, we have clever mediocraties (which includes Ehud Barak) whose talent is for mere opportunism. I wonder what Ben Gurion and Jabotinsky would say if they were alive.

This is the truth and nothing but the truth,let us face it Netanyahu does not peace in the middle east, he want to stay in power with no vision of the future whatsoever and the future is bleak. As Strenger is saying and Friedman is implying is that the Palestinians have no choice but to start a new round of violance from all fronts.President Obama has tried very hard to get things goind and It is understood that he gave Netanyahu and warning in private." Mr Prime Minister you have one month, no more to show that you are serious about the peace process, Mitchell will not visit anymore and come back empty handed if nothing happens by then will will tell you what you have to do. Good Bye" After the meeting Netanyahu sneaked out of the White House red faced and embarrased that he was treated with not even a handshake. Good riddance, our president cant take it anymore. We all support him here for whatever he will decide to do.

people are not stupid sick of talks just for talks. you want to talk we are sick of it we need action .you want peace israel? yes or no. black or white.

Of course 'Israel has every right to exist and to defend itself'. Just the same as any other nation (including Palestine). Nobody is arguing otherwise. But he core issue is surely that a chunk of Arab land was taken from them unilaterally by the UN and handed to another people of a different religion. 800,000 fled or were booted out and their homes and land were seized, without a dime's compensation. It is no wonder there has been conflict and resentment ever since. 60 years on, the Arab League has said it will end the conflict and welcome Israel into the Middle East community as an equal. Even Hamas and Hezbollah have their hands tied by that. There has never been a better opportunity to reach some kind of sensible accord that permits Israel to live in peace. But that requires Israel to give something too, it cannot just keep taking land and expanding and demanding ever more of others. It is time now for a more pragmatic and generous approach by Israel surely?

If you cut to the chase, Netenyahu's government does not believe in peace. They would cut down on settlements to appease the U.S., but the major cost that Israel would pay by freezing them altogether for, say, six months, is that it would start serious negotiations. Israel's right wing government prefers a poisen pill that ensures no negotiations will start over having to dance around negotiations over which it is not serious. For Stenger to conclude that Bibi has no policy is silly. Of course he has a policy, and the two state solution is not part of it. The ironic thing is that Palastinians are no more serious than Bibi. If Netanyahu's government froze settlements for six months and offered a deal that was something like the Geneva accords, the Palastinains would find a way to torpedo it just as they did Camp David. Of course, then Israel would have the high ground, and while the high ground is irrelevent to Israel bashers, it is not irrelvent to Obama or to the EU.

Unfortunately for him, the "status quo" isn't acceptable to the Palestinians for obvious reasons. He came to power with plans to keep building more settlements and create facts on the ground for another 4 years while negotiations go nowhere. In the meantime, he would throw the Palestinians a few economic "bones" by removing a few checkpoints and approving a couple of projects. To his dismay, Abbas hasn't allowed Netanyahu to play him like a fool as other Israeli PMs have done. Israelis themselves have become complacent thanks in large part to Abbas's security efforts on their behalf in the West Bank. Now that there are no more suicide bombers, what do they have to gain from peace? It seems...nothing.

the only policy should be no more land to the arabs....no more pursuing or sucking up to the arabs and indeed to the world for an illusory phony peace prospect-just remember arafish and the lies that came from that unholy mouth. The arabs are not to be trusted until they recognize Israel's right to exist and that will take decades more before the arabs decide to change their ways, if ever.

it doesn't necessarily have to adjust. israel's occupations are universally condemned, as are its settlements. sanctions are just one veto away from reality, and there's nothing in america's pledge to israel's security that includes complicity in its illegal occupations and abuse of human rights. there's really not much right now that would prevent an american vote against israel; or at the very least, an abstention.

And if we assume that Israel agrees to a peace deal and a Palestinian state, who signs for the Palestinans side and who is bound by such a signature? If Abbas signs off, does it bind Hamas or even Abbas' sucessor? And why does ANYONE believe that any Palestinian state would ever be at peace with Israel? What indicators are there? The only model that we have is Gaza, and withdrawl of Israeli occupation didn't lead to anything resembling peace. Until Israel is secure that a future Palestinian state won't just be a soveriegn base for Iranian missiles and endless terror attacks on Israel, a Palestinian state will have to wait. The ball is really in the Palestinian's court.

without a precondition. This side is Israel. There is only one side that is putting forward a precondition that even Arafat never has. This side is PA. Friedman is not aware about this, obviously. Too bad for the columnist.

Israel seizes the West Bank and then illegally colonizes it with its own citizens. And flat-out refuses to accept the illegality of that action, and therefore flat-out refuses to accept that it has an obligation to right that wrong. That's how it can "offer" to withdraw from only some of the territory, and pretent that this is (somehow) a "concession" on Israel's part. No, it isn't. It's a "land grab", and the only person who is being asked to make a concession is Abbas, precisely because HE is being asked to condede some of his land towards that land-grab. It's like a bank robber "offering" to return some of the money, and then having the chutzpah to claim that he is making a "painful concession" by accepting that he can't keep it all. That isn't a "concession" at all: it is an attempt to retain some of his ill-gotten gains. That Israeli apologists can't see that point tells us everything we need to know about their mind-set i.e. it is a criminal mind-set.

won't disuade Strenger and other Haaretz favorites from their ship-wrecked philosophy that an Israeli withdrawal will bring peace and those who launch rockets into our cities and detonate bombs on our buses will somehow be appeased.

35 000 chickens killed by Israel's attacks on Gaza, according to Oxfam officer. (Turkish Weekly 29 January 2009)

What do you know about the Israeli psyche, we're you subjected to the previous results of a failed peace? I doubt it. Going back, picking up before the terror campaign began is impossible. What Carlo Strenger and the rest of the world don't want to acknowledge is that Israeli's won't be bullied into a suicidal scenario again, so stop pushing it!

The more rightward any viewpoint is the more it denies the greyness of the world. Absoluteness is the key and we are of certainty that our point of view can sustain itself long enough to make hay from it. Never mind the gray area of crimes against humanity, of others' rights as long as we can befuddle by media manipulation the trueness of our cause we live on to fight today and tomorrow for truth justice and the Israeli way as we perceive it. The rest of the world be damned that is unless the Americans pursue blocking access to their billions of sustenance dollars and armament, then we may have to sing a different tune of grayness, one not determined by our PofV.

Which Palestinian land is stolen???Be precise!!! Israel is a nuclear power just to defend itself from iresponsible mad mans like Ahmanijad and others....talk is cheap!!! spiled blood is more expensive!!!Palestinians always portray themselves as the victims...what happend when Arafat was alive he build casinos on the French riviera and kept his wife there but did not build infrastructure for POOR PALESTINIANS with all the millions that he got...palestinians are the victims of their own leaders!!!! What they have done for the nation???NOTHING!!!!Dont put the blame on ISRAEL!!!!!!!

It's pretty crudely done. Watch... G: "The Jews have legal rights to Judea and Samaria" G: "It is from a position of magnaminity that israel ever considered sharing these territories for the best interests of Jewish and Arab peoples." Anyone spot it? Anyone? You, up the back...... Correct! Gerson starts by proclaiming a "Jewish right", and then he immediately substitutes the word "Israel" for "Jewish". Israel has - somehow, and it is not explained how - expropriated for itself the rights that Gerson explains belongs to an ethnic group, not to a sovereign state. How did that happen, Gerson? Gerson, these are ISRAELI colonies. Gerson, colonization is ISRAELI policy Gerson, ISRAEL is demanding this territory Not "the Jews", but "Israel".

Israel do not like to give chance to peace, the government of Israel live like this since 1948, but I have to say, world changed and Israel should obey the internation law. Do not bring down the ginity of Jewish people. Netanyahu do not care about jewish people.

"to anglo american have you ever thought how the state you live in was aquired?" -harold Yes, the United States and the Republic of Texas signed a treaty. "how about the states of Mexico,texas,oklahoma,nevada and on and on?" - harold Oklahoma was purchased from France. Nevada was ceded by Mexico following a totally unjust war of conquest. Mexico acquired all of it's states when it freed itself from Spain.

What this writer terms as "mistakes" made by the Palestinians really constitute an unwillingness to accept Israel. It's that simple. As he points out, Abbas did not accept Olmert's offer. Why? It is inescapable that this "mistake" is much much more than that. It revealed Abbas for what he represents: a dithering weakling without the ability to negotiate peace. Abbas has to go, and a new leader who actually wants peace needs to take his place. In the meanwhile, Israel has no choice but to "manage the conflict" as you put it. If this is true of Abbas, a fortiori that it is true of Hezbolla and Hamas and Iran and ...

Bibi comes out and says.. YES two a pal state, yes to peace, yes to two state solution. He just says no, I wont divide my capital or give up my people safety. Israel gave back Gaza and got terror back. All of surrounding countries who want Israel wiped off the map keep saying we will negotiate but only with the terms that we want and otherwise (like Syria just said) other wise we will engage in terror. Israel just wants to be left alone and be left in peace. Take the land that you have and put a state there and it will still be bigger than israel.

Except that the Mexican territories were sparsely populated (Spain had of course taken these territories from the native population in the first place, but that's another point); The U.S. did conquer them, that's true, but we did compensate them and later bought more land in Southern Arizona. Furthermore, there is no demand from Mexico or Mexican Americans to return the land to Mexico, except by fringe groups. I live in L.A., we have a latino mayor, there is not an uprising demanding secession. Mexico rebuffed Germany's offer to regain these territories in World War I. And it all happened about, oh, 160 years ago. I'm not saying I agree with it, but the fact that residents of these states are 5 generations removed from the war makes this a pretty moot point. In other words, don't try to shift the blame. And God has nothing to do with real estate.

The world is sick, but that is not because of Netanyahu. To lead a tiny country lied upon and hated by antisemties worldwide is not easy. Is Netanyahu supposed to cure a sick world by giving it a new dose og poisonous medicine? Netanyahu will gain more and more respect as long as he stands steadfast and defends Israel. As soon as he gives after the demand of a blinded Westen world the hate, bias and lies against Israel will increase proportionally. We have seen this pattern so often before. Let the world cure itself. Netanyahu - stay strong, that may help the world to become a little more healthier place. :-)

Netanyahu has a right wing coalition that includes supporters of a 2 state solution and those who reject it. He went as far as he will go on freezing without breaking them up. If he gets an agreement with Palestinians, Kadima and other parties will support him. Let's not kid ourselves, neither the Israeli left or right will accept the 1967 borders and a right of return. So the coalition will stay intact and the settlers will look for a way to continue settling if the Palestinians have no other solutions to offer. Obama and his leftist Jewish advisers miscalculated how far they could push Netanyahu.

Sorry but you are irrealistic.Palestinians are living in what you calle judea and samaria for more than 2 thousand years since the Roman expelled jews.The true Jews of today are the Palestinians as they are the children of jews who converted to Christianity and Islam.

Netannjahu is absolutely right. Read Joshua 1.

I have seen our 48% pro- Israel and around 52% against Israel.

Obama is "sucking up" to the U.S. Congress, the U.S. Congress is "sucking up" to AIPAC + Co, AIPAC is "sucking up" to right-wing Israel, right-wing Israel is "sucking up" to the ideology of expansive Zionism

And request full legal rights as Israeli citizens. Israel will have full rights over Judea and Samaria and the PALS full legal right to settle anywhere they want accompanied with full voting rights.

...In the same manner, Israelis should be punished for electing the warmongering, occupation minded Netanyahu. The reason that Israel continues to misbehave is because they always get away with it. The impotent UN, weak-kneed Obama, and dithering EU have never managed to do anything but talk about Israels misbehavior. It is long past time for someone to take action.

James Baker's quote from his days as Secretary of State under the first Pres. Bush was definitely, definitively relevant. I also like to apply a paraphrase/quote from the late Abba Eban: "Eventually all the participants will sit down and discuss the issues at hand... once they have exercised all other options." Apparently, per Mr. Eban, they are not at that point yet!!!

Let's face it- in a one nation scenario Israel (with the support of the US Congress) would create a massive apartheid state that would make South Africa look cheap, claiming bantustans were a security precaution.

give Israel? Israel holds all the cards. All he can do is hope that the International Community finally puts some teeth on International Laws, i.e. settlements are illegal.

Netanyahu has already failed as PM once before. He was brought down by the right of his own party for negotiating the Wye River Accords and his concessions to the Palestinians over Hebron. Now he's back, and he isn't going to annoy the Settlers or psycho-right by allowing any outbreak of peace, or even peace negotiations.

to anglo american have you ever thought how the state you live in was aquired? how about the states of Mexico,texas,oklahoma,nevada and on and on? let me tell you it was by war,murder,killing of innocent people who truely owned the land.Israel got the land from the GOD of heaven who never goes back on his word.look in the Jewish prophets and you will see the prophicies coming to pass just like they fortold from the returning of the JEWS to the land exploding into large frut and vetgetable farms just like the LORD said it would. the Jew isn't going anywhere but the Americas are folding like a peice of wet news paper because we have fallen into sodom and gommorah status.there is no right and wrong anymore ,so the LORD is bring us to naught and the LORDS plan is now on fast track in judgeing the nations who have put their hand against his chosen people the JEW.I'm saying this as a christian and not a JEW.YOU can't give anything away that isn't yours and so is it with the land of Israe

The Palesinians should drop the two state charade, and just demand the right to vote in Israel - let israel deal with the fall out from denying millions the franchise.

Ehud Olmert, like Barak, waited late to present something to Abbas. Always with the anti-Semitic, anti-Palestinian media they don't give the Palestinian side. The situation is not so, so simple. The PLO has already said basically it wants East Jerusalem, much of the settlements dismantled to ease movement for people in the West Bank since the way settlements exist cause the West Bank to be bi-sected. Also, Palestinians expect to have borders. Furthermore, a certain percentage of refugees (a symbolic number) should come to Israel and the rest should be compensated with Israeli and American help. If Israel keeps some settlements as per the understanding of the American interpretation of 242 and 338, then Palestinians would get some land from the 1948 lands. Olmert got very close to that, but that was towards the end of his term. Why did he need to wait til the end? Also, Arafat made the mistake of agreeing to Oslo without saying settlements shouldn't be built.

I love the way people like Strenger write as if the two sides are actual equals instead of Israel being the brutal, illegal occupier who stole the land, house, car, garage and chook shed and only wants to give back the chook shed. Israel has nothing to bargain with because their actions are totally against the law, they are nothing but a bunch of crooks.

Just because *you* want some flashy news story doesn't mean it should happen. Sometimes waiting is the best policy. We've *tried* dealing with the Palestinians for decades now and we've gone backwards, not forwards. Why would you repeat the same inputs and expect different outputs? We've tried different Israeli politicians, some on the left, some on the right. The only people who have refused to change are the Palestinians. Why is no pressure being placed on *them*?

More than half the world is sick of Muslims trying to tell us what do think and do. Israel has every right to exist and to defend itself. What justification does the Arab world have for its own existence?

They have the power of silence and everything Hamas wants falls into their hands. Israel can do nothing against the raise of a multiculti free nation.

Netanyahu has NOT stated 'exactly what he`s willing to do'. He's only said what he WON'T do - no negotiation on right of return, no negotiation on Jerusalem, no settlement freeze, no Hamas involvement. And set a new list of preconditions for what he wants OTHERS to do - concentrate on building their economy, agree to have no army, cede sovereignty over airspace, stop incitement, recognise Israel as an ethnic state, take the Goldstone report off the desk, etc., etc. You will search in vain for even ONE thing that Netanyahu has said HE OR ISRAEL will do to help facilitate peace talks. Other than his grudging mention, between clenched teeth, of a 2-state solution, when forced to do so by the US at pistol point. Prove me wrong. Tell me ONE single tangible constructive thing that Netanyahu has put forward. Don't worry if you can't, no one else can either. But if you can't, it means Mr Stenger is about right and you are daydreaming.

The prime minister may be taking a page out of Ariel Sharon's "book" of eight or nine years ago. I seem to recall Sharon being quoted (or paraphrased, or maybe I'm totally wrong) as saying that the best outcome for Israel would be to keep everything in a state of flux for fifteen or twenty years, say, at which time the Arab states would be weaker, Israel stronger--and then would be the best time for Israel to negotiate a definitive end to the conflict. (But like I said, I can't be sure; heck, at my age I sometimes have to sneak a peek at my photo ID before telling someone my name.)

Bibi not being prepared going to the White House is just plain sloppy governance. It's more of the status quo, which hasn't worked for years. The Likud party platform and plans are not good for America. Our National Secuirty is tied to Israel and the Mid-East in ways that were not present before the USA invasion and occupation in Iraq. Bibi doesn't understand and/or doesn't care; so why should USA be such a good friend Israel. Pro-Israel posters look at the different countries in the world, and how they look at you-it's not favorable and every week more friendly countries become disgusted with Bibi's lack of diplomacy/efforts for peace-making. Long term perspective for Israel is not promising.

In the year 70 people like you decided they could defy the world and get away with it. They were wrong.

For US voters, Mr. Obama has grown so suspect, and so worrisome that just a year into his presidency he is widely viewed as "naive", "inexperienced" and even "incompetent". His treatment of Israel has lit a fire under Americans. Mr. Obama knowledge base of the Israel-Pal conflict is a perfect and dangerous example of the schooling of US citizenry at the hands of the infiltrators into the US educationals and cultural centers by 1.) leftist educators who have never set foot in the m.e., and 2.) relocated brain drainers who abandoned the WB during the Arafat regime and resettled as glorified intellectuals in the midstream of US colleges. Mr. Netanyahu is handling this situation perfectly. The American public has come to realize fully that any Israeli president's harping the words "peace" is meaningless until something new comes from the Arab side. Something n-e-w. The game is up. The American people are absolutely done with Arab shuk dealings such as the Abbas stunt.

Frankly, it couldnt get much worse. Israel is not moving when it says it wants to move.Empty words as facts go on being created.The objective is clear: more land and entrenchment meant to arrive at a demogrpahic advantage. Friedman says that the US should just leave them to their own devices.The problem with that is that it will give netanyahu and an even more crazed right wing waiting on the sidelines to do what they have always wanted to do and that will bring about a justifed resistance on the part of the palestinians. Obama staked his political career on bringin this morass to a conclusion. If he does not, the position of the US, particularly througout the ME will be greatly diminished.Obama must lay down the law to Israel and speak publically and openly that if they do not stop all settlement activity and dismantle the outposts immediately,the US will take punitive measures. The zionist lobby will initiate a slander campaign but they must be met with the same greeting bibi got.

Do the Arabs aknowledge the existance of a JEWISH STATE CALLED ISRAEL ???? They expect recognition of Palestanie without realizing that the Jewish state exists and will exist!!!! What do they want???Only the destruction of Israel and then perhaps they will kindly negotiate WHAT?????

Natanyahu knows his enemies! He knows with who and what he is dealing in the Middle East!!!! He wont give in to terrorists suported by Iran!!!I wonder how intilligent reporters who sit in their New York offices can give instructions and critisize a goverment leader that just proved catching a ship full of rockets and amunition to destroy the state of Israel?????We had one antisemite called Goldston we do not need additional ones!!! Do not discredit the Israeli Priminister look around who supports Iran because they need the oil!!! They do not care about the Jewish state!!!!The Israelis are not fighting someone elses war they are fiting for their own existance,NEVER AGAIN a HOLOCOUST as late primimister Begin said!!!!

Netanyahu and most Israelis will accept an Arab Palestine although not exactly the Palestine that Palestinians may wish. He is building in the West Bank because many Jews see settling the Land of (biblical) Israel as a primary goal. Netanyahu will stop when there is an agreement with Palestinians because most Israelis favour peace over perpetual war. The Israeli right will simply not wait aroud while Palestinians decide, perhaps waiting forever, whether to accept a Jewish-majority Israel or not. It is true that there are some Israelis on the right who will never accept an Arab Palestine

Netanyahu is the personification of arrogance. And we all know that arrogance leads down the drain - or to complete isolation, if you like this better. Israel's option is Netanyahu or new leaders who lead Israel out of isolation and behind 1967 borders.

Friedman ,the one who supports the Saudi Plan with deluging Israel with pal "refugees" is his Great Guru. Abbas who "won't give an inch" on pal maximalist demands is his Other Guru. Israel is not allowed to demand negotiations without any preconditions but must be subservient to all arab demands-that's Stenger's ideal.

Let her do her own thing on her own dime. Of course this is a fantasy...bc of AIPAC she remains America's welfare Queen- a parasitic burden for decent people to bear.

Strenger,I think you may be the last person on this earth who hasn't realized how left-leaning and anti-Israel the times columnist is.Open your eyes to the reality on the ground and stop dreaming of this impending "peace" that you assume palestinians want.

Well, USA is loosing its credibility after Clinton's screw up, so Saudi, Egipt and Jordan are also loosing credibility, so now this countries are triying to figure thing on their own, and that is, negociating with Siria Lebannon (with Hesbola in its government)and others, final outcome? Arabs are in the end to take care of the matter...It'll take them a while, but the outcome doesn't look preatty.

What weighs heavier - actions or words? Because the actions of the Netanyahu government clearly indicate he has no intention of accepting an arab Palestine.

I love those people who always talk "in name" of everybody. I'm part of "the world" and nobody asked me anything. Bibi knows "exactly" what he wants and where he is going. Parts of "the world" just DON't want to hear, and doesn't like what he has to say. The "world" might think it can dictate Israel/Jews all over again, but those days are over. Today there is a strong leader who is preventing "the world" to walk all over him and the people who elected him. The "world" might not like it(they prefer the underdog jew/or no jew at all) but they will have to adjust.

All we ask is that they abide by international law and give up nuclear weapons. Stop repressing their own people and accept the rights of others to exist. I am talking about Israel not Iran. The Palestinians land is stolen, they are beaten, and they are imprisoned if they disagree with the policies. They do not accept the Palestinians right to exist in their own state and Israel has the 4th largest nuclear arsenal in the world including their own nuclear missile ballistic submarine. Why isn't Israel under sanctions and not Iran? Because Obama is a coward who will not be reelected. Stop all US funding to Israel until they comply with international law which puts Israel at 1949 borders. Abdullah, Assad, and Mubarek have been hinting at the third intifada, and Americans will fight with the Palestinians not the Israeli's. There will be an uncivil war.

What's the point of negotiations if agreements are not followed? These are not personal agreements. Israel signed on to the Road Map, agreeing to stop settlement expansion and even evacuate outposts. Abbas sees that negotiations are futile if Israel will not follow through, while expecting the PA to live up to it's side. If I were Abbas, I would leave too. What hope can he offer his electorate? I fear a radicalization of the Palestinian population. Israel's intransigence makes any moderate Palestinian leader look like a dupe.

Mr Carlo Strenger is right. When diaspora jews say what he says they are branded self haters. Sharon said time was working for Israël and even that war in Irak would be good. Looks like it did not work. Yes the world is sick of despise of international law, racism, segregation and laws which would be unconstitutional in any democratic country.

The Jews have legal rights to Judea and Samaria. It is from a position of magnaminity that israel ever considered sharing these territories for the best interests of Jewish and Arab peoples. It is the Arabs who deny our legal rights and therefore are unwilling to compromise. Not until the Arabs can recognize our legal rights will any peace become possible. Because the US backtracked on those Israeli rights has the Peace Process become stuck. Reagan once said, Israeli Settlements are not illegal. He may have been against them, but he recognized the legitimacy. It is the Obama administration that has destroyed any possibility at arriving at a final settlement by supporting radical and extremist arab claims.

Netanyahu has no vision for peace; no courage to lead Israel towards peace; and a dependence on the zealots within Israel that do not want peace. His speeches are rhetoric to convince American Jews of his good intentions but do not translate into action. Although Obama talks about Middle East peace, Netanyahu (with the help of the IDF) has the Israelis living in a state of fear for their security. As long as that mentality exists, there will be no progress towards peace. Israel needs another Rabin. It also needs to control the religious zealots that killed Rabin and have pushed the settlement agenda at a devastating cost to both Israel and the Palestinians. The power left to Obama in prompting peace is to slash foreign aid to Israel and join with the EU and Russia in recognizing an independent Palestine. Those super powers can then directly help Palestine build its institutions.

While some on the Israeli left may be willing to wait for the Palestinians to make up their minds on whether they accept Israel or not, the Israeli right is not. For the Israeli right settling Israel is predominant and while a large segment will accept a 2 state solution, it will not wait aound and it will not compromise on Israeli security. Appeasement policies of the left and the West grow tiresome when there is no indication from the Palestinian side of accepting a Jewish Israel. Netanyahu told everyone what his position is. Leftists are disappointed that Netanyahu hasn't become a greater appeaser and more leftist than themselves.

Netanyahu is simply buying needed time. Demographics are changing, economies are changing, enemy states are changing. Setting up the pieces to make the right move.

The problem is that Israel holds all the cards, and the Palestinians hold none. Israel sets a very high standard for what Palestinians have to achieve without a government more military; a complete cessation of all illegal violence, stability, and recognition. Meanwhile, Arab houses are destroyed and new settlements are built. The way Israel has used America to protect this activity has been damaging to us and has exploited a special relationship. Most Americans, myself included, want to see Israel defended from its major enemies, but we don't want Israel to so heavily victimize so many innocent people. Freeze settlements, and negotiate which ones to keep later. Freeze home destruction in E Jerusalem. And offer E Jerusalem as a co-capital. What would that really cost Israel? It would still have America's protection from Existential threats!

Netanyahu appears the best politician in the whole World. Even the USA is affraid of him. Obama is affraid of him. Abbas is affraid of him. Arabs are affraid of him. So the solution left is only and only a ONE STATE SOLUTION. Well done PM of Israel

As this writer implies, Baker's admonition about calling when serious about peace was to Israel, not Israel and the Pa;estinians. But Friedman is a liar, and is his column said Baker's scolding was to both.

He's stated exactly what he's willing to do, and what he's not. He won't completely freeze construction, but he's taken many other steps, as Israel has in general. The Question is what is Abbas' policy besides to sit and refuse to negotiate.

Absolutely! Bibi does not want peace, he wants land. He wants the PALS out and a Jewish state. He is directionless and only wants power for power sake. He thinks he is a statesman, but he is an amateur trying to play on a professional stage. If the Israelis want the status quo, stay with Bibi. If you want peace and a hope for the future, vote him out!

...it was reported here at Haaretz in October that Tzipi Livni told Abu Mazen "don't you dare" make an agreement with the about to be indicted Ehud Olmert. And Carlos, there is no record of any such deal. Olmert waved around a map that he would not even produce a copy of for Abbas. That is no deal, that is a dictation. I'm betting people are starting to swarm out of Israel, leaving in droves. I know I would be considering what the future is going to hold since Israel has a leader hellbent on leading the country into one of the most destructive periods in its history. But hey, y'all elected him and his poll numbers are great. Of course the day after they won't be.

difficulties with this current Israeli administration ( thanks to Tzipi and Barak) would be worse, so one has to work with what one has. Unless the coalition breaks apart, this right wing coalition has to be influenced to the benefits of cooperating with the obligations of the Road Map. And Tom Friedman's analysis has not always been accurate, but certainly comical in delivery! But the situation in the Middle East is very far from humorous, and rather despairing this Remembrance Day.

Netnyahu's first stint at PM saw how he sat on the fence, unable to act one way or another. What did people expect in his second term? It was dangerous then and is now. Israel needs a true leader, one capable of steering her through difficulties while being creative and visionary. Israel does not need a leader who's policy is to continue a deadly stalemate, while her enemies grow stronger.

Bibi has the firm backing of the Israeli people; recent polls suggest that the American public is massively supportive of Israel. Gone are the days when Israel exposes itself to terrorism for the "chance" that peace might breakout. Gone are the days of major unilateral concessions. Once Obama understands that, he will have a much easier time dealing with Bibi.

The world, and you may be sick of the lack of policy. Sometime the lack of policy is policy itself. Whay should Israel keep upping the ante, when the Pals never respond to any offer, they just reject eveything. They know that people like you will always offer more. So, why don't you tell us your plan, and what you will do when it is rejected. What more would you offer than Olmert did, and how do you know it will be accepted. It is time for the Pals to put their cards on the table.