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Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (Alex Levac)
Last update - 07:03 14/09/2008
Abbas to Haaretz: We will compromise on refugees
By Akiva Eldar and Avi Issacharoff
Tags: Peace process, Mahmoud Abbas 

RAMALLAH - Perhaps it was the daytime fast and abstention from smoking during the holy month of Ramadan, and perhaps it was the conversation about the exhausting negotiations with Israel that caused Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) to press the white button at least three times in the course of last Wednesday's interview.

Sa'id, his personal assistant, enters without a word, pulls out the packet and lights a cigarette for the president. Abu Mazen's relaxed mood does not hint at all the troubles bombarding him from inside and out.

He dismisses the threats of colleagues, including the chairman of the Palestinian negotiation team Ahmed Qureia (Abu Ala) and rivals such as Prof. Sari Nusseibeh, to replace the negotiations over two states with a demand for equal rights between Israelis and Palestinians in one state. He also promises that, just as he opposed the second intifada, he will not support a third one.
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The message is almost self-evident: Don't miss your opportunity with me. You won't have a partner like me. But on one point he is insistent: the right of return. Israel will have to absorb refugees in its territory, he emphasizes, following negotiations regarding their numbers.

He is aware of the arguments in Israel about his political weakness. "It's a good excuse for Israel not to fulfill its obligations," he says with a bitter smile. "I'm still reading in your newspaper that it won't be possible to reach a peace agreement because your prime minister, Ehud Olmert, is accused of corruption and I'm too weak. But even senior Israeli officials now admit that we are doing an excellent job."

Even Amos Gilad, the head of the diplomatic-security headquarters in the Defense Ministry, and a sharp critic of the PA?

"Even Amos Gilad. We have restored order to the West Bank cities, we are taking steps against anyone who tries to undermine security and stability, whether it is Hamas, Islamic Jihad or even Fatah. In Israel and in the United States they are well aware that the Palestinian security forces have prevented many attacks. We even dismantled Fatah's Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades. Today there is one armed force and one authority in the field."

Abbas' situation in public opinion surveys conducted in the territories is better than ever. The chaos that reigned in the cities of the West Bank has been replaced by the Palestinian police. The security systems are garnering praise from those very senior Israeli officials who in the past leveled penetrating criticism against their functioning - including the head of the Shin Bet security service, the defense minister and generals in the Israel Defense Forces. The economic situation in the West Bank is also improving. And nevertheless, Abu Mazen knows that without a diplomatic agreement, all these achievements will evaporate and the Palestinians will return to Hamas' embrace.

Do you remember that Saturday, September 13, is the anniversary of the Oslo Accords?

"Unfortunately."

Why unfortunately?

"Because it didn't succeed. Fifteen years have passed since then, and we are still far from an agreement."

Olmert is about to resign. What do you feel on the personal level?

"I admire him very much and for over a year we've been working together. Now he is about to leave and we will honor what the Israeli public decides. We will conduct negotiations with any prime minister elected in Israel, and bid farewell to Olmert. But I intend to conduct negotiations with him until his last moment in the job."

It is evident that the elections for the leadership of Kadima are a source of great concern to those sitting in the Muqata, the PA's seat of government, in Ramallah. Abu Mazen's advisors are busy not only with issues related to Hamas and Fatah, but also with the attempt to guess who will win: Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz or Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni. On this subject, as on others, MK Ahmed Tibi (Ra'am-Ta'al), who was present at the interview, serves as a guide for the PA president. In addition, Abbas makes sure to keep abreast of reports from the Israeli media.

Olmert said that we have never been so close to an agreement. Had he remained in the job would that have changed anything?

"I cannot say that 'an agreement is near' or 'not near' is the correct term to use, but it is doubtful whether we could have completed an agreement by the end of 2008 [as the sides promised at the Annapolis conference], even had he remained in the job. So far there has been no achievement in the negotiations. There are various proposals regarding borders and the refugee issue, but they have remained proposals only and all six central issues of the final status agreement [Jerusalem, borders, refugees, security, settlements and water] have remained open. I cannot say that there has been an agreement on a single issue. The gap between the sides is very large. We presented our ideas and demands regarding the six issues, and have yet to receive any answer from the Israeli side."

Jordan's King Abdullah said recently to a French newspaper that he is not convinced that Israel wants to solve the conflict, due to the absence of a long-term vision. Do you agree with that statement?

"I tend to agree with King Abdullah. We can reach an agreement because the outline is known, and it is not clear to me why there is no progress. Perhaps because of internal political disputes in Israel. I can say that the Americans continue to play a central role, and are even eager for us to reach an agreement by the end of the year. They are convinced we are capable of that."

We have heard many different versions about the percentage of the area of the West Bank Israel is willing to transfer to the Palestinian state. Could you tell us the exact percentage?

Abu Mazen smiles. "We have been presented with more than one proposal. I can tell you that, among other things, we raised the demand to conduct negotiations over no-man's land and not only over the entire West Bank." [One example is the Latrun area.]

Have you told the Israelis that they have to refer to previous documents, to previous negotiations like those conducted in Taba in 2001?

"Israel now claims that those talks were conducted by other teams. 'It's not us. It's Yossi Beilin,' they say."

Abbas looks very excited when he mentions the 2002 Arab peace initiative, in which 22 Arab countries agreed to normalize relations with Israel if Israel withdraws to the 1967 boundaries. He asks his secretary of many years, Intisar, to bring the version of the Arab initiative adopted by the Islamic summit conference. The paper is decorated with the flags of various Islamic countries, including Iran.

"Yes, yes, even Iran agreed at the time [2002 - before Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's era] to the principles of the Arab initiative, and never regretted it," he says. "I presented this paper to Olmert, who didn't react to it. Unfortunately, to date there has been no discussion of the initiative in the Israeli government. You should remember that this is the first time even the king of Saudi Arabia, who is the guardian of the places holy to Islam, enlisted for the sake of solving the conflict."

Is it clear that on the issue of the right of return, the refugees will return only to the areas of the Palestinian state?

"Not at all. This issue is not at all clear. There are today five million Palestinian refugees whose forefathers were expelled from the area of Israel, not from the West Bank and Gaza. We understand that if we demand of you that all five million return to Israel, the State of Israel would be destroyed. But we must talk about compromise and see to what numbers you can agree.

"We have to talk about Israeli recognition of its responsibility for the refugee problem, and then discuss the right of return in practice. The Palestinians who don't return to Israel can return to Palestine. If they decide to remain in the countries where they are living, they will receive compensation, as will the countries that absorb them. There is a central issue that Israel tends to ignore: the assets of the absentees. That is a very important issue, almost the basis of the problem.

"We intend to hold talks with Israel about the number of refugees who will return to its area. I am criticized for not demanding the return of all five million, but I say that we will demand the return of a reasonable number of refugees to Israel. The Arab peace initiative also discusses that - a solution to the refugee problem has to be agreed upon with Israel, according to UN General Assembly resolution 194 [from 1948]."

Foreign Minister Livni said that when the Palestinians erase the word "nakba" from their lexicon [the "catastrophe," the expulsion and flight of the Palestinians in 1947-1948], there will be peace.

"Can I forget the nakba, which happened to so many people and even to me? [Abbas is a refugee from Safed.] That is our memory. Just as I can't ask you to forget your national memory, you can't demand that of me."

President Shimon Peres claims you said that you would oppose the participation of Hamas in the January 2010 elections, if it does not recognize agreements with Israel and international decisions.

"Let's put it differently. If we want to establish a unity government of professionals, according to the Arab League's proposal, it must honor all the commitments and agreements that we have signed, like the road map. We cannot agree to any initiative that does not accept that. And of course, you have to accept the Arab peace initiative."

When does your term end? Hamas claims in January 2009 and not in January 2010, as you claim.

"I think that the elections for parliament and the presidency should take place together, in January 2010. We will decide, and issue a presidential order accordingly. And we will definitely demand that the elections be held in Jerusalem as well."

Will you run in the next elections?

"I don't know yet. It's too early to talk about that."

Was it a mistake to allow Hamas to participate in the 2006 elections?

"No, it was a good test as far as we're concerned. Had we rejected its participation we would have rejected a large part of the Palestinian people. Now, after the nation has come to know and experience Hamas, it will have to decide who to vote for."

Do you see a possibility of reconciliation between Hamas and Fatah, and unity between the West Bank and Gaza?

"Gaza and the West Bank must unite, otherwise there will be no Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital. But we will not use force to do that. There are contacts for reconciliation being conducted by the Egyptians, and in the end an Arab proposal will be presented, with the support of the Arab League."

Are you aware of the fact that if Israel releases the Hamas members of parliament as part of a deal to release [kidnapped IDF soldier] Gilad Shalit, there is a good chance that the Palestinian parliament will not extend your term?

"Yes, but without any connection to my term, I'm not opposed to their release. I have even demanded of Olmert more than once to release the speaker of the parliament, Aziz Dweik of Hamas. There is no reason to leave them in prison, and we have made it clear to Israel that in the context of any peace agreement, all the Palestinian prisoners will be released."

What do you think of the rise of Al Qaida in Gaza?

"I was the first to warn about it, and we are opposed to it. But you must understand that you have to remove the siege of the Gaza Strip in order to stop the strengthening of these extremist factors. You must open the trade crossings to the Strip, because distress will only strengthen organizations like Al Qaida."

What do you think of the calls by senior Palestinian officials, in light of the failure of the negotiations, to dismantle the PA, transfer responsibility to Israel and establish one state for two nations?

"That is an issue that came up in the Arab League, too. But in my opinion, we should stick to implementing a solution of two states for two nations. That is the best proposal. But you must not prevent this solution and push people into a corner. A continuation of your dangerous policy in the West Bank - construction in the settlements, the roadblocks, the raids on West Bank cities - will only distance the two-state solution."

"We don't want one state for two nations, and various people who are doing that, including Abu Ala, are doing it out of despair. You must treat the Palestinians with respect, as full partners, human beings like you. If you believe in occupation and the Palestinian partner becomes irrelevant, no Israeli will feel secure."

Did you make a mistake in the second intifada when you turned to violence?

"I have said this in the past. We made a mistake when we turned the intifada into an armed struggle, and I will do everything possible so that there won't be a third, armed intifada. But you mustn't push people into acting violently."

The interview takes place mostly in English. Occasionally MK Tibi whispers into the ear of the rais and the conversation continues. The secretary of the PA, Tayeb Abed al-Rahim, one of people closest to Abu Mazen, is present at the interview and adds his comments.

When will you meet with U.S. President George W. Bush, and what will you tell him at your last meeting?

"I'll be meeting with him on September 26, and I'll listen to what he has to say. I admire him very much. He did very good work, and nevertheless we did not succeed in reaching an agreement. It's not his mistake, nor mine. As far as he is concerned, he made the required effort."

Did you think that 15 years after Oslo we would still be sitting here and talking about the chances for a peace agreement?

"It's unbelievable, it's beyond any imagination that we haven't succeeded in reaching an agreement until now. But even today, I'm convinced that I would have signed the Oslo Accords. I risked my life for peace and if I have to pay for it with my life, that's a negligible price. I don't regret the Oslo Accords. Twenty years before the agreement I believed in peace with the Israelis, and I still believe in it."

Related articles:
  • Abbas: Jerusalem, right of return are our inalienable rights
  • Samir Kuntar: I met with Abbas in Beirut at his request
  • Abbas: No peace until all Palestinian prisoners released
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      1.   Al Qaeda in Gaza 03:03  |  Northern 14/09/08
      2.   Abbas, always wanting more for NOTHING 03:11  |  John 14/09/08
      3.   Arafat`s Strategy Redux 03:30  |  Tod Zuckerman 14/09/08
      4.   THE Arabs can return to the Islamic Republic of Palestine. 03:32  |  PETER SM 14/09/08
      5.   compronise on refugees. 04:30  |  Shmuelshachor 14/09/08
      6.   Quite a thorough interview, indicates sincerity towards peace... 04:36  |  Smadar 14/09/08
      7.   WHO`S WE? 04:42  |  david 14/09/08
      8.   Compromise, Not Concession 04:56  |  Mark of Lewiston 14/09/08
      9.   HOW ABOUT harsher measures against TERRORISTS 05:13  |  Levi 14/09/08
      10.   Abbas` "Musts" And "Have To`s" 05:16  |  Jeff Northridge 14/09/08
      11.   OY VEY 05:24  |  ALAN 14/09/08
      12.   return 05:50  |  jj 14/09/08
      13.   NONE IS TOO MANY!!!!! 06:17  |  THE ZIONIST (((((((( 14/09/08
      14.   This is a good step for peace!!! 06:36  |  MOE 14/09/08
      15.   He Can Make His Demands 06:44  |  Ron 14/09/08
      16.   Abbas has no right 06:47  |  wibism 14/09/08
      17.   #1 - Northern 06:47  |  MichaelF 14/09/08
      18.   He`s a figurehead and a lousy one at that.. 06:54  |  Joseph L. 14/09/08
      19.   absorb those too old to bear children 06:58  |  judith 14/09/08
      20.   What about Jewish Refugees, Jews in Palestine? 07:06  |  Gili 14/09/08
      21.   Try this number on for size 07:07  |  Joe Frazier 14/09/08
      22.   Wibism and the fairy tale of ancestral lands 07:12  |  Joe Frazier 14/09/08
      23.   Peace in the Middle-East. 07:16  |  Jean Van Daem 14/09/08
      24.   Wibism greed is yours: 22 Arab states and you live in USA 07:23  |  x-ray 14/09/08
      25.   11 Gili - Israel Doesn`t Want to Talk About Refugees 07:41  |  Mark of Lewiston 14/09/08
      26.   Response to JJ 07:57  |  Mark G 14/09/08
      27.   America nees to play the honest broker 07:59  |  Natallie Durson 14/09/08
      28.   Abbas is US/Israeli stooge 08:01  |  Israel_is_done 14/09/08
      29.   Response to Gili from MOntreal 08:17  |  Moderate Arab Guy 14/09/08
      30.   not one person should cross the border. pals in israel leave 08:18  |  ralph 14/09/08
      31.   never not one person 08:18  |  ralph 14/09/08
      32.   Two sterile people trying to concieve 08:26  |  S Freedman 14/09/08
      33.   NATURAL AND LEGITIMATE RIGHT TO RETURN HOME 08:28  |  indrajaya 14/09/08
      34.   Poor naive Natalie Durson 08:31  |  Edifice 14/09/08
      35.   Jordan is defacto Palestine 08:37  |  b mezritch 14/09/08
      36.   Mark of Lewiston - Saudi Initiative doesn`t include Jews 08:37  |  Reid 14/09/08
      37.   Indrajaya close your eyes and your mind and repeat your mantra 08:41  |  Margie in Tel Aviv 14/09/08
      38.   Moderate Arab Guy - #21 08:45  |  Michael 14/09/08
      39.   Indrajaya 08:46  |  Edifice 14/09/08
      40.   Moderate Arab Guy - Palestine violates GA 194 08:54  |  Reid 14/09/08
      41.   How about "NO!"? 09:05  |  Yaakov K. 14/09/08
      42.   INDRAJAYA RIGHT TO THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF OF PALESTINE 09:10  |  PETER SM 14/09/08
      43.   Mark of Leweiston-#20- Jewish refugees? 09:24  |  Daniel Leopold 14/09/08
      44.   Short memories, they don`t stick to agreements! 09:37  |  Lily 14/09/08
      45.   JUSTICE for a million Jewish refugees from Arab countries 09:49  |  PETER SM 14/09/08
      46.   # 30, PETER SM 09:52  |  indrajaya 14/09/08
      47.   #11 wibism spins FAIRY TALE about ARAFAT and palis` BIRTHRIGHT 09:55  |  CK Tan 14/09/08
      48.   Mark of L Daniel Barenboim is one and Amira is another 10:08  |  x-ray 14/09/08
      49.   Abbas is a Holocaust denier and supporter of terrorism 10:13  |  123 14/09/08
      50.   Indrajaya-#28-The Right of Return is not a one way street 10:21  |  Daniel Leopold 14/09/08
      51.   INDRAJAYA convention is NOT law and UNSCR 242 proves it 10:34  |  PETER SM 14/09/08
      52.   BRAVO! I Applaud Abbas` Talking HONESTLY About This Issue. 10:36  |  Proud Pal Defender 14/09/08
      53.   Wonderful news, so now WHERE is the Israeli leader..... 10:42  |  Swiss (Dino) 14/09/08
      54.   # 45, DANIEL LEOPOLD 10:46  |  indrajaya 14/09/08
      55.   Right of Return 10:53  |  BM 14/09/08
      56.   31 Reid - Negotiate 10:53  |  Mark of Lewiston 14/09/08
      57.   Abbas Negotiating Right of Return 10:54  |  Joubin 14/09/08
      58.   43 x-ray - When a Door is Opened 11:00  |  Mark of Lewiston 14/09/08
      59.   INDRAJAYA Right of return not law,As shown by UNSCR 242 11:08  |  PETER SM 14/09/08
      60.   38 Daniel Leopold - Has the Israeli Government Ever Asked? 11:09  |  Mark of Lewiston 14/09/08
      61.   compromise on refugees 11:31  |  Ralph 14/09/08
      62.   #33 indrajaya CONFIRMS pali refugees do NOT have LEGAL claims (2x 11:32  |  CK Tan 14/09/08
      63.   #52 Exactly so, Mark of Lewiston 11:35  |  Johnboy 14/09/08
      64.   GILI #16, here`s the problem with your argument 11:36  |  ELIAS KHOURY 14/09/08
      65.   Return of Jewish Refugees from arab lands? 11:41  |  EgyptJewRefugee 14/09/08
      66.   We will compromise on refugees 11:43  |  Yaron 14/09/08
      67.   Right of Return means War 11:44  |  Laila 14/09/08
      68.   # 47, PETER SM 11:53  |  indrajaya 14/09/08
      69.   Is this called strategy? 12:08  |  dovale 14/09/08
      70.   Mark of L: A closed and locked door 12:14  |  x-ray 14/09/08
      71.   This picture reminded me of Abbas :-) 12:18  |  redmike 14/09/08
      72.   #3 - the problem is that he can`t deliver anything! 12:21  |  redmike 14/09/08
      73.   Indrajaya - take example of the german 12:22  |  ANUAR AL SADAT 14/09/08
      74.   proud pal returns with total crap try moving to jordan 12:25  |  v.hardman 14/09/08
      75.   Who is we? 12:34  |  kemo sabee 14/09/08
      76.   #33 indrajaya CONFIRMS pali refugees do NOT have LEGAL claims (3x 12:36  |  CK Tan 14/09/08
      77.   What the... 12:36  |  Shocked 14/09/08
      78.   #33 indrajaya`s legal RUBBISH 12:36  |  CK Tan 14/09/08
      79.   #49 swiss d`s COMPROMISE - another of his BLONDE moments 12:38  |  CK Tan 14/09/08
      80.   Hello Peter SM 12:39  |  CK Tan 14/09/08
      81.   Abbas should never compromise on the right of return 12:54  |  Dutch 14/09/08
      82.   Mark G - what do you call sizeable? 13:26  |  ChanahS 14/09/08
      83.   CK Tan. thank you 13:35  |  PETER SM 14/09/08
      84.   # 61, CK TAN 13:38  |  indrajaya 14/09/08
      85.   petersm talks law--but does not know the difference 13:47  |  Labhras 14/09/08
      86.   #49 swiss 14:03  |  duncan 14/09/08
      87.   #29 indrajaya, east timor 14:07  |  duncan 14/09/08
      88.   Lets agree 14:18  |  Jackie 14/09/08
      89.   #74 Jackie --lets agree indeed. 14:46  |  Labhras 14/09/08
      90.   the heading of this article changes daily 14:58  |  Arie 14/09/08
      91.   #70 DORIS SAYS THE NATIVE AMERICANS SHOULD RETURN TO NATICK 15:07  |  v.hardman 14/09/08
      92.   #78 labrhas. faulty logic 15:10  |  duncan 14/09/08
      93.   # 82, LABHRAS 15:15  |  indrajaya 14/09/08
      94.   A question to Natallie Durson: what do you call honesty? 15:17  |  Israeli citizen 14/09/08
      95.   #60 If you want to play numbers... 15:32  |  Gili 14/09/08
      96.   #25 Speaking of legality 15:37  |  Gili 14/09/08
      97.   DORIS which right would that be? UNSCR 242 says "a solution" 15:57  |  PETER SM 14/09/08
      98.   # 74 CK Tan 16:42  |  Swiss (Dino) 14/09/08
      99.   # 81 duncan 16:47  |  Swiss (Dino) 14/09/08
      100.   #29 Indy....funny, that didn`t happen with my grandparents 16:54  |  Lynn 14/09/08
      101.   On the Nakba 16:57  |  Marlene N. 14/09/08
      102.   Labrhas 17:02  |  Wally 14/09/08
      103.   Dino in other words (I can`t believe I am seeing this) 17:03  |  ChanahS 14/09/08
      104.   #86 Gilli Speaking of Legality 17:06  |  Labhras 14/09/08
      105.   Dutch # 76 That Is Categorically False 17:08  |  Jeff Northridge 14/09/08
      106.   #90 swiss 17:22  |  duncan 14/09/08
      107.   #91 swiss, 17:26  |  duncan 14/09/08
      108.   #97 Wally re Refugees. 17:37  |  Labhras 14/09/08
      109.   PA needs to Compromise 17:50  |  Observer 14/09/08
      110.   Of course, Pals bear no responsibility for the refugee problem! 18:09  |  IW 14/09/08
      111.   Of course Pals bear no responsibility for the "refugee" problem! 18:10  |  IW 14/09/08
      112.   I went to visit my ancestral home in Poland 18:14  |  Joe Frazier 14/09/08
      113.   #95 petersm you overlooked something??? as usual 18:38  |  Labhras 14/09/08
      114.   Northern 18:39  |  x-ray 14/09/08
      115.   Rights and greater rights 18:57  |  Rfael Moshe 14/09/08
      116.   Abbas 19:03  |  j10 14/09/08
      117.   #92 duncan how is it faulty logic.Do enlighten us. 19:30  |  Labhras 14/09/08
      118.   Interesting editorial decision 20:06  |  The Northern Wind 14/09/08
      119.   #117 could not be simpler labrhas 20:19  |  duncan 14/09/08
      120.   # 10 Jeff Northridge 20:47  |  Christian Van Nieker 14/09/08
      121.   105 Jeff, Right cannot be negotiated 20:49  |  Dutch 14/09/08
      122.   the Problem slowly clearing up 21:21  |  Max 14/09/08
      123.   ARAB COUNTRIES RESPONSIBLE FOR REFUGEES 21:37  |  Ian 14/09/08
      124.   words mean what they WANT them to mean 21:37  |  R`fael Moshe 14/09/08
      125.   # 103 Chanah 21:55  |  Swiss (Dino) 14/09/08
      126.   doris cadigan speaks from her white house in natick 22:25  |  v.hardman 14/09/08
      127.   Swiss (Dino) & Chanah re: Palestinian refugees 22:51  |  Smadar 14/09/08
      128.   Hello Smadar 23:13  |  x-ray 14/09/08
      129.   Dutch # 120 You Cannot Negotiate A "Right" Which Doesn`t Exist 23:49  |  Jeff Northridge 14/09/08
      130.   #118 Duncan Simple for a simplistic mind 00:19  |  Labhras 15/09/08
      131.   Dutch # 120 Part 2 00:37  |  Jeff Northridge 15/09/08
      132.   #125 Smadar: Age of refugees 01:33  |  Ian 15/09/08
      133.   paulhardman 01:37  |  phil 15/09/08
      134.   Dutch # 120 Part 3 01:42  |  Jeff Northridge 15/09/08
      135.   # 125 Smadar 01:48  |  Swiss (Dino) 15/09/08
      136.   A reasonable compromise on refugees 02:19  |  Realist 15/09/08
      137.   130, Goose and the gander 03:40  |  Max 15/09/08
      138.   #129 Ian @ Newcastle upon Tyne 04:50  |  Smadar 15/09/08
      139.   More Arab lies to cover up their debt owed to expelled Jews ... 04:55  |  Jew frm Arab cntry 15/09/08
      140.   A Powerful Interview With The Ring of Truth About It 04:58  |  Reader 15/09/08
      141.   A Powerful Interview With The Ring of Truth About It 04:59  |  Reader 15/09/08
      142.   Look at this scenario 05:53  |  EGW 15/09/08
      143.   Case is closed for the benefit of Arabs. 05:54  |  Jew from Arab cntry 15/09/08
      144.   Most Arabs left Palestine before the Arab invasion in May 1948 06:03  |  Steve 15/09/08
      145.   Palestinian fighters brought their wives with sacks for looting 06:08  |  Steve 15/09/08
      146.   #136 That`s an odd definition of "compromise", Realist 06:09  |  Johnboy 15/09/08
      147.   In 1949, no one blamed Israel for the the Palestinian refugees 06:14  |  Steve 15/09/08
      148.   #129 Jeff N repeats the mantra, repeats the mantra... 06:27  |  Johnboy 15/09/08
      149.   #139 & #143 Jew from Arab cntry - Excuse me, but you are not a 06:30  |  Smadar 15/09/08
      150.   #104 It is pointless arguing with Gili, Labhras 06:43  |  Johnboy 15/09/08
      151.   #135 smadar in la la land for ever and a day 08:41  |  v.hardman 15/09/08
      152.   Hello Jeff Northbridge (re dutch) 08:51  |  CK Tan 15/09/08
      153.   #133 phil invites back to ireland 45 million settlers in the res 09:11  |  v.hardman 15/09/08
      154.   READER Re Time.Where has 100 years of Arab terror got them? 09:24  |  PETER SM 15/09/08
      155.   Learn to read the words 09:43  |  Hastaroth 15/09/08
      156.   JOHNBOY PALS were not living in Israel if they left! get it? 09:48  |  PETER SM 15/09/08
      157.   Bette, more compromises in your lies,Abbas. 09:51  |  Akram Zekaria 15/09/08
      158.   What He says and what the Other says......! 10:55  |  Dagma 15/09/08
      159.   Palestinians negotiate in good faith, but the Israeli side? 11:28  |  Ivar 15/09/08
      160.   First things first 11:52  |  lady from USA 15/09/08
      161.   Anyone here remember seeing `Arsenic and` Old Lace` 12:18  |  Dolly 15/09/08
      162.   A most boring Comedy ! 12:19  |  Akram Zekaria 15/09/08
      163.   #130 labrhas cannot answer simple logic 12:33  |  duncan 15/09/08
      164.   Jews right of return to Arab countries 13:43  |  lady from USA 15/09/08
      165.   Mark G. 14:06  |  lady from USA 15/09/08
      166.   Northern 14:10  |  lady from USA 15/09/08
      167.   Northern 14:12  |  lady from USA 15/09/08
      168.   Speek to HAMAS 15:16  |  Moshe 15/09/08
      169.   #138 SMADAR YOU MISS THE POINT 20:14  |  Ian 15/09/08
      170.   #150 johnboy 20:50  |  duncan 15/09/08
      171.   #148 johnboy 20:56  |  duncan 15/09/08
      172.   One state solution 05:20  |  PeaceMaker 16/09/08
      173.   Refugee swap. Two refugee problems solved. 22:54  |  JGarbuz 16/09/08
      174.   peacemaker one state solution 17:48  |  billy 15/10/08
      175.   Abbas is lying. He`s no different then Arafat 20:40  |  Ken Jurist 29/10/08
     Read & React
    Joe the Plumber: A vote for Obama is a vote for the death of Israel
    Responses: 334
    Syria demands UN action against U.S. over raid
    Responses: 96
    IDF soldiers protect Palestinian olive farmers from settlers
    Responses: 63
    Aluf Benn: Americans must worry first about America, not Israel
    Responses: 45
    L.A. Times defends decision not to release clip of Obama with Palestinian critic of Israel
    Responses: 103


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