Abbas: Israel setting tone for one-state solution

President Mehmood Abbas lives in the fools world. With the death of Arafat, the Lion of Palestinian resistance and the father of two nation formula was also died and it has been buried along with Arafat. Now the left is one Nation formula, nothing more. M. Abbas and his supporters should not waste more time and blood to gain a single inch from Israel but handover the entire Palestine to Israel and raise slogans for human rights, equal rights and human dignity from the Israeli public and civilized world.

Are you lacking the mental capacity to grasp the irony of you calling someone else a racist? Let me break it down for you. Others come on here and demand that Israel stop treating Palestinians as second class people and start giving them their basic human rights. In other words, treat them as equals. Then you come on here and spout off about how they are this name and that name and inferior to Jews. So to simplify, one who demands EQUAL rights for all is a racist in your eyes, yet you are totally justified in relegating another group of people to second class status, which is THE VERY DEFINITION OF RACISM!! I think it's quite clear who the true racist is!!

61 years of Israel illegally acquiring other folks territories. Deserves a mention, surely?

Those who think otherwise needs to examine their heads ! If only the arabs examine themselves before blaming israel, the jews or any one for that matter ! Talking about the 'nakba' ? Every war the arab countries waged against israel was a 'nakba' for the palestinians ?! If the palestinians continue stop learning; their chances of success will continue to be nil ! The world is already getting fed up with the palestinians wanting the world to work for them & made them a state that there is no sign they will be able to rule themselves ! Time the palestinians to examine themselves. Unless they do that the palestinians will not have a chance in hell !

"Shame about Jordan attacking Israel again .." What actual Sovereign Israeli territory has ever been attacked? "..and Jews being able to move back in, isn`t it?" No. However Israeli civilians illegally moving in is against the GCs. BTW are they the same folk who left? Or foreigners?

everyone more about you than anything else. Wise up. "Jordan was the lion`s share of Palestine" How does this relate to my comment? "What remains is the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza.." And big chunks shown on these maps - http://tinyurl.com/y8ewves/myths-mis-conceptions-propaganda/#northern-border - never legally annexed and not legally part of Israel's Sovereign territory. ".. and the borders are in dispute" Only by Israel...

Dear SDHD, I have a sincere longing for the day that I will see a response from you where you do not substituted your lack of good arguments with half-witted insults. Maybe... some day... Anyway, you would do well to look up the meaning of racism, if you knew what it meant you might at least be able to try to insult people without making a fool out of yourself. As to your claim that other societies don't freeze their construction the obvious answer is to point out that other societies are not built on other nations' territory in order to try to annex said territory. That Israel is merely asked to stop shows what preferential treatment Israel is getting. If it was some Arab country the occupation would have resulted in sanctions and intervention long ago.

And the quicker the better!

Why? Because the majority of the Israeli population maybe almost 100% of its'Jewish population does not want it. They cannot be forced to accept it by anyone. The Jews know what will happen to them under the illusory One State-the same thing that happened to them in Europe, Iran, Iraq, Egypt in fact every Muslim country in the Middle East. Why should this öne State be any different from its'neighbours. The lessons of the Holocause has taught us that Jews need a State of their own. Never Again. If there are 57 Muslim States, 100 Christian States, there can be 1 Jewish state. Those who say no reveal their hatred of Jews. I do not buy the argument Jews will be able to live peacefully in any Binational State. They are not now in any Muslim country. They will be a majority in this One State and we know the fate of minorities in Muslim countries. The Palestinians if they want a State will have to settle for Gaza and a part of the West Bank.

Why? Because the majority of the Israeli population maybe almost 100% of its'Jewish population does not want it. They cannot be forced to accept it by anyone. The Jews know what will happen to them under the illusory One State-the same thing that happened to them in Europe, Iran, Iraq, Egypt in fact every Muslim country in the Middle East. Why should this öne State be any different from its'neighbours. The lessons of the Holocause has taught us that Jews need a State of their own. Never Again. If there are 57 Muslim States, 100 Christian States, there can be 1 Jewish state. Those who say no reveal their hatred of Jews. I do not buy the argument Jews will be able to live peacefully in any Binational State. They are not now in any Muslim country. They will be a majority in this One State and we know the fate of minorities in Muslim countries. The Palestinians if they want a State will have to settle for Gaza and a part of the West Bank.

"By not being able to overcome its lust for Palestinian land and water," Now all you have to do is tell us exactly when 100% of this land belonged to the Arabs, Jew-free. Here's a big hint, only from 1948-67. Shame about Jordan attacking Israel again and Jews being able to move back in, isn't it?

"There`s what, seven months or so remaining of the semi-freeze Bibi ordered? Abbas is offering three months of actual freeze, and since he`s offering three he`ll accept two. Two months of a full freeze should have less of an impact on the poor settlers than seven months of semi-freeze." Start naming societies which have frozen all growth before you demand Jews living on their own properties do so, racist.

" Let`s do one state with equal rights for all citizens" Start with the Palestinians granting equal rights to their own citizens, not a mob-society which eviscerates people in the streets. When they learn to behave themselves among themselves, they can have their own society. Having the Jews and Arabs together only lead to a civil war in the first place. You want another bloodbath? How heartless!

"But the Palestinians are not going to move to Jordan or evaporate. Israel will get 5 million new non-Jewish citizens eventually" You're on another plane of existence, far removed from reality.

"When Jordan was formed only the people living in the area that formed Jordan in 1946 were automatically able to become citizens. What remained, was Palestine." Jordan was the lion's share of Palestine. "What remains after Israel was carved off 1948 is STILL Palestine." What remains is the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza, and the borders are in dispute.

Fatah is governed by a 23 member Central Committee, an 80 member Revolutionary Committee and a 350-member General Council. It is far easier for Abbas to say no to Israel than to convince his own constituency to move forward.

Obviously heisunableor incapable of seriously sitting down with Israel to hammer out a oeaceagreement. The "one-state-solution" he proposes is not what he really wants - unless he means one Palestinian Arab state with no Jews. It;s time Israel recognized the fact that there are three Palestinian states: Gaza, rued by Hamas; the West Bank, ruled by the PLO; and Jordan, ruled by the Hashemite dynasty. Isn't three states enough for them?

the catholic centre for terrorism !

THE BALKANS ? LEBANON ? IRAQ ? These single state ideas work just fine in the minds of the idealists but in the real world they eventually lead to civil war. Doesn't matter if its Europe or the Middle East those ideas don't work. Civil war is exactly what a single sate brings and in this one you can add religion to the conflict and so you have the traditionally culture clashes which lead to war and your combining it with religion so you have a recipe for chaos. There is no shortage of jews who would willingly die to keep Israel a jewish state and there is no shortage of arabs who would be happy to die to create a single binational state. The best solution for calm is to not even mention the idea, Its just a fantasy that it could happen anyway because other than the fact Israel would tell the arabs to get lost not even the US has the authority or muscle to pressure Israel on that one and it would take a very brave or very stupid western leader to even dare propose the idea

Fortunately that is NOT the case. Keep up the good work mick!

When will this ever happen? By not being able to overcome its lust for Palestinian land and water, Israel has condemned itself to the one-state solution - an Arab majority in Israel. Not now, not in ten years, but eventually

Another example of the arrogance of the political philosophy that I call "Palestinianism." After starting and losing war after war, the Palestinians continue to make arrogant, maximalist demands. A "One state" solution is a ruse to have Israel drop all of its defenses,flood the place with Palestinian and Iraqi refugees(who will all assert that they had a "Palestinian ancestor"), and then, when there are enough Arabs, un-do whatever democracy and Jewish nature exists and transform Israel into another Arab backwater. Before there would ever be the sham of a "one state solution", there would be another Nakhba.

Your sense of "European" superiority is ridiculous.

I know the truth hurts ! One other thing: Sixty years and more and the palestinians are only going backward !

your logic takes some swallowing? because a country is run by despots and a despotic religion it can engage in world affairs but all those claiming to be democracies must obey a different standard ? take a cold shower michael it might stimulate your brain !

to support ethnocracies. We wont miss you here in Europe espousing the "virtues" of a racist society. Aren,t you lucky we dont take your advice---mr minority. Bon Voyage mister---dont let the door hit you on the rear on your way out.

wasting your breath talking nonsense of 1 state solution..it will never happen. wishing for it is a waste of time. israel has her state. If the pals want one, they know what they must do. Either negotiate, or stay as you are...israel has plenty of resolve to manage this situation. It's not the best option, but then the arabs never leave israel with any ...so it is what it is...take it or leave it.

There's what, seven months or so remaining of the semi-freeze Bibi ordered? Abbas is offering three months of actual freeze, and since he's offering three he'll accept two. Two months of a full freeze should have less of an impact on the poor settlers than seven months of semi-freeze. It would also be a good PR coup for Israel since it would show that it is serious about wanting peace. This is an obvious way forward with the peace-process. It is time to stop claiming that Abbas is holding the peace-process back by demanding a freeze. It is just as much an Israeli precondition that it should be allowed to continue building on the occupied territories during negotiations. It should be self-evident that most of the occupied territories will be returned to Palestine. It is also clear what the international opinion about the ownership of those territories is. The demand that Israel be allowed to keep building is what's holding the process back.

I agree that Israel has a much better track record on human rights than a lot of countries around the world. BUT, and it's a big but, those other countries don't claim to be western democracies. Those countries are therefore the world's problem as a whole. Because Israel claims to be a western democracy and gets the benefits of that through things like trade deals and defence cooperation and US money, any problems with Israel become problems for all western democracies. It's like any club. If a member breaks rules and brings the club into disrepute, then it affects all of us. If Israel doesn't want to be a member of the club, with obligations, then that's OK, but it loses the benefits as well.

Another Apartheid is almost certain. The worm turns.

michael and multiculturism in jeddah or riyhad, mecca and medina ! better still that haven called iran !

Well said, number 23, Barbara, the settlers are destroying the Jewish homeland. A single bi-national state will soon spell the end of Israel as a Jewish homeland, will see most Jews who can leave the country and the region will revert to being inhabited simply by pockets of the ultra-religious. Contrast this with what we have now. A Jewish homeland but one that occupies its neighbours land and treats its own Arab citizens as second-class citizens. What could we have. An Israel that falls into line with the agreement as spelt out in the Geneva Accord, a country that can regain its moral heart, a country that is truly a Jewish homeland in the best sense of the concept.

getting rather panicky at the prospect of a one-state solution. Despite living in London, you don't seem to have learned much about how human rights work. You still thinks ethnic, religious domination of another group is good - as long as your tribe is the one doing the dominating, right? And don't want people living in Eretz Israel who have a different language or religion to be allowed equal rights with their Jewish masters? Your philosophy is about 75 years out of date. Maybe you should make aliyah now, as the only place you will find any support for it is the darker corners of the Zionist right.

"Another work of `fanciful illusion` from a yesterday president. Abbas to think of `one state` solution is nothing but a product of a bankrupt mind. Lebanon tried that & failed. Iraq can hadly survive. Czechoslovakia Yugoslavia are just few who couldn`t make it work not even under a dictatorship !" Do I detect a not of panic there at the thought of a state where everybody's a full citizen, with full rights, not just Jews? Out of interest, how would you like it if the UK applied the Zionist model to Britain now? So there would be lots of housing settlements that only let Christians live there, and only Christians would be allowed to bring spouses into the country, only Christians would get all the best jobs, only Christians would be let back into the country after a few years away and Christians would be encouraged to buy up houses in Jewish areas and confiscate them if necessary. Would you be OK with that?

Well, as Salem Awaad of Rafah says, if it doesn't come from the top, it'll have to come from the bottom. Making historic change needs to go the whole way though, so the first thing to exclude is the weapons industry. Stormy, yes, but popular in the sense that it uses no killing machines is what I hope he means. I suspect many of us, both Jew and Palestinian, are ready for that by now.

Nobody is working harder than Israel and it,s apologists to create a Bi National State. Thanks a million guys---your tirless efforts are much appreciated. Keep up the good work. There will be a well deserved reward for you in the end. A State with justice and equality for all---even the Minority.

"Abbas: Israel setting tone of one-state solution". Another work of 'fanciful illusion' from a yesterday president. Abbas to think of 'one state' solution is nothing but a product of a bankrupt mind. Lebanon tried that & failed. Iraq can hadly survive. Czechoslovakia Yugoslavia are just few who couldn't make it work not even under a dictatorship ! Anther reason for Abbas to g. The old school of the palestinians needs to be closed. It is inflicted with rubbish illusion covered with a bitter suger.

Since the current Israeli government is adamant they do not want to dismantle illegal settlements in the Palestinian West Bank and East Jerusalem, let's do a one state where everyone, Jews-Muslims-Christians would have the same rights. South Africa did it, Israel and Palestine can do it too. Plus it will go well with European and Americzan democracies, where the idea of a state where citizenship is based on one religion is medieval at best.

The two-state solution isn't going to happen. It's no longer possible. Israel's colony / settler policies have seen to that. One state for both arabs and jews is the only decent way left.

is the best outcome becaucse of demography and right of return.Some citizens of both states could be bi-national. Peace.

One State is the only way out. A single state where all are equal under the law, regardless of religious beliefs or ethnicity. I hate to say it, but Bibi is right: stop wasting time, Mr Abbas. We, the world, have expended so much energy chasing waterfalls(and we're sick and tired of this conflict); a two state solution is impossible; too many unrealistic demands on both sides. A one state state solution is feasible; everyone gets to keep what they already have, but Israel must demonstrate and ensure equality and jutice for 'all' its citizens.

Abbas has no sufficient of perhaps any credentials that can allow him to negotiate about any peace or a creditable settlement with Israel. What Abbas agreed with Ehud Olmert did 'not come closer to a peace agreements'. It only came closer to another free concession by Israel like so many ' gestures '. Abbas is just wasting Israel & the palestinians time. He will make himself useful by leaving the scene. His time is over. The palestinians needs new leadership and that is URGENT

Let's face it, Israel's never voluntarily going to give the Pals anything like a fair state of their own. So Abbas, should simply say 'OK, we believe in fairness, equality and western-style democray and we are very happy to accept Jews living in Israel as part of that. Let it be one man, one vote in a happy multicultural country, like the US and the UK and other western countries.' That's what he should say and mount a big media campaign in the west, so that all western voters know it. Then he should sit back and let Israel run to him with offers of a state with lots and lots of land.

Until recently one could get the impression, that only the more radical Palestinians (Hamas + Co.) understood, that all they needed was patience. But now even the more moderate Palestinians seem to have realized, that there is no need at all for them to rush to peace talks with Israel, especially not with an (extreme) right-wing Israeli governement. They can sit back and either wait for the Israeli voter to elect a much more dovish and reliable governement, or for an American presi- dent to become a true honest broker one day. If neither of it happens over the next few years, it is very, very clear in what direction the whole thing will go....

As long as it's a Jewish state. Let the Jew-hating Muslims go and live in an Arab country. What is it about Israel, a tiny wedge-shaped country that is half desert, that the entire world is obsessing over it. The whole Diaspora could just as well ignore everything that goes on in Israel and be happier. But no, they insist. Maybe it has to do with Zechariah 12:3.

Even Monaco and Luxembourg are contiguous. The settlers and right wingers think that is they just spread out enough, no Palestine can exist. They are right. Israel is setting up to prevent an independent and sovereign Palestine. But the Palestinians are not going to move to Jordan or evaporate. Israel will get 5 million new non-Jewish citizens eventually, along with their progeny and there will be a single state with a Jewish minority.

A one state solution is the only sustainable one for the Israelis and Palestinians. But both will have to learn how to live with each other. They have only had 3000+ years of practice. Doable!

why does he ignore the fact that Hamas doesn't accept him so it would be three state solution.

san remo 100% allocated for jewish state british steal 78% for transjordan israel left with 22% of which only 10% are occupied by jews !!

Land is not a consumuanle commodity like oil or a pizza. Well it caN be if you destroy all the infrastructure that was left there and then fire 8000 plus rockets so as to enrage a much large military, and fight this large enraged military in your civilian area so as to further mess up the city. But still the land is there your pizza analogy is either cheap propaganda or the result of a small intellect good luck to you friend

Neither Abbassssssssssssssssssssss nor Netanyahooooooooooooooooooooo !! will bring peace to the middle east !1 Only a stormy popular movement initiated by the israeli people and arab people , aiming to remove corrupted leaders in both sides , could make a historic change. Otherwise the blood shed will continue and the world peace will be in danger. The movement has been alredy started in the west bank villages and will start in the greatest prison of gaza soon.

Just to clarify, the Israeli right wing seems to think that if they build enough settlements, the Palestinians will either move or evaporate. Neither will happen. The Palestinians will, though, be seeking equal rights and what the US South looked like in the 1960s will be child's play by comparison. Eretz Israel will bring about the one-state you fear. Palestine-is-Jordan is as bankrupt as the send-em-back-to-Africa idea of the KKK.

he hasn't had a lot of choice given the pressure on him from the u.s. but he's finally stepped up to the plate of history and uttered the words that reflect reality--Israeli and U.S. created reality. It's a shame, since both peoples wanted a two state solution and still do. But it's now too late for that. The Netanyahu govt. will ensure it. A great tragedy with more bloodshed ahead. I'm ashamed of my govt's role in this year after year, administration after administration. Our much vaunted civil society should have defeated AIPAC years ago instead of fearing being called "anti-Semites" and emotionally blackmailed.

the balfour declartion says it looks favorably on the creAtion of a state for jews...it does not say how much land or where...do you really believe you non sense?

The settlement enterprise and the obsession with Jordan being the only Palestinian state makes the divorce between Israel and Palestine nigh impossible. Nobody is going to move 5 million Palestinians. If Israel wants a two-state solution, it cannot have all of everything and have Palestine with no land and no sovereignty and no independence. So if you want an Israel with 5 million disenfranchised and unhappy but not moving out, you are well on the way. Next, they look for the franchise. They will not evaporate, either.

had Internationally 'acknowledged' borders in 1948. "67 borders are not agreed anywhere" ...they were only armistice lines. "Res 242,calls for secure and defensible borders" No it doesn't. Here read what it actually says : http://wp.me/PDB7k-6r "There was no gaza and west bank connection pre 1967 as gaza belonged to egypt" It was NEVER annexed to Egypt. Egypt occupied Gaza. Jordan was only temporary trustee of the West Bank. http://tinyurl.com/y8ewves/myths-mis-conceptions-propaganda/#Gaza-part-of-Egypt-West-Bank-part-of-Jordan

I really am not sure what you are talking about. From the point of view of Arab people, to date, "one state" was a metaphor to "no Israel". As of late rocket is the favorite dish after AK-47 and they are getting lots of frozen meals from yours truly as we speak.

If the world does boycott on Israel. Israel needs for water and food will dry up West Bank and Gaze stirp. The Palestinians force leave or died thirst and hunger. It be the first time history UN charge kick ethic group of people they say trying to help,

When Jordan was formed only the people living in the area that formed Jordan in 1946 were automatically able to become citizens. What remained, was Palestine. What remains after Israel was carved off 1948 is STILL Palestine. http://wp.me/pDB7k-il No territory has ever been legally annexed to Israel. http://wp.me/PDB7k-Y

You have your numbers backwards. The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan exists on about 78% of the historical Palestinian Mandate. Israel including the WB and Gaza constitute the remaining 22%. Israel was willing and able to found a thriving state on 22% of its promised territory, why can't the Pals?

How can two sides negotiate over a pizza while one side continuously picks it up and takes a bite out of it. It is completely illogical. Settlements must be halted first to prove Israel is serious about peace for once. The Palestinians made a big mistake in the past by negotiating while the Israeli's built settlements behind their backs. This practice cannot continue.

It seems that lots of Israeli right wingers agree with Abbas. They think if they just wait, the two-state solution will die. Or they think Jordan already is the solution. What they don't see is millions moving voluntarily out of Nablus and Bethlehem and Ramallah and Jericho. Those people who don't move will be seeking equal rights and the vote where they currently live, along with acknowledgment that they, too are humans with the right to liberty and property. The Israeli government doesn't want them to have a separate state with independence and sovereignty. The default then is their rights as non-Jewish Israelis.

Israel's borders today lie on 78% of the original lands of Palestine. The Palestinian are only left with 22%. That is barely enough to create a viable State. Yet Israel still wants even more?

let us move forward together and build our new secular state with justice and freedom for all :)

Ha Ha Ha.

What makes Abbas think Israel would ever grant Israel citizenship to Jewkilling Arabs. Alien residence is the best they could hope for. If Jews can be expel "for the sake of peace" then for sure Arabs can be expelled if there is no peace.

Stop wasting your time Abas, Israel has no intention of reaching any paeceful solution that results in an independent viable Palestinian state. You have been negotiating with Israel or over 16 years, what have you accomplished? Double the israeli settlements and double the settlers. It is about time the west stops payment to the Palestinian authority because it is nothing but a subsidy to the Israeli occupation. Israel the occupying power should be the one reponsible for the cost of the occpation and the mess that will result from this occupation. The West should stand up for its principles and pressure Israel for one vote, equal treatment for all residents and end to discrimination.

of course, Palestinians need violence free leaders to build a dignified peaceful society. arafats and members of PLO central committee have got faith only in violence. please study your adviser Gene Sharp. www.aeinstein.org

See that, settlers? You're doing the terrorists work for them and destroying the country.

No..it's a 2 state solution...there's Israel..and then there's Jordan (an English devised state out of what was supposed to be Jewish Palestine)--check the records it's all there! Abbas has a state-in Amman.

not recognizing Israel send?

Jews and Palestinians should live together equals under the law of the land. This is the only solution left. Religious courts will handle civil issues. One person, one vote in equality.

Bibi is not bound by Olmerts lunacy. The Israeli public voted for bibi and threw out olmert. He should have taken olmerts deal. 67 borders are not agreed anywhere. Res 242,calls for secure and defensible borders, but does not define those borders as being pre 1967. It is pre 1967 borders that led to war. Israel can withdraw from the territories it decides and the Palestinians can decide to go alone or federate with jordan, who last occupied the land. If they go it alone israel will have to occupy their state until they can be sure of security. There was no gaza and west bank connection pre 1967 as gaza belonged to egypt. Israel has no obligation to cede land or to create a palestinian state. Gaza can go back to egypt, go it alone, or go like east west pakistan: oops i mean bangladesh.

as to why exactly are they rejecting the progress which had been made between PM Olmert and President Abbas? As it's been mentioned, the negotiations reached consensus unlike any other leadership on both sides. If the Quartet members have also advocated the continuation of talks from where they've been left off, it seems there's merit to doing so for the sake of peace for the whole region.

will never be achieved in 3 month, not even in 3 years.

... if this is accepted, then every doghouse, tool shed, or clothes line would become an excuse for further delay. Abbas does not want to, and cannot go back to the table, since it would expose his real position: He cannot budge on anything. He has bosses. Abbas is not calling the shots.

If there is any substance in the response from the Israeli side - for example, if they accept the framework of a two-state solution based on the 1967 borders and an end to occupation, with timelines and mechanisms - then there will be progress," Abbas told The Guardian. If Israel accept those conditions , what else need to be discussed. Peace negotiation should be with no preconditions.

at Russia for a long time as you do Israel, and see if Russia would be willing to give you half of Russia.

Make no mistake. Abbas wants a one state solution. Don't delude yourselves,that he believes in a peaceful separation of two countries for two peoples.

He spoke to the Guardian,he chose the Guardian newspaper for an exclusive interview because he knows that the UK newspaper the Guardian is anti Israeli.It has nothing good to say about Israel.Most of their articles about Israel,have one purpose only,to smear Israel.This Abbas never smiles,he is always scowling,and whinging and whining about Israel.

I've been waiting for him to say those three words. I guess I'm sure he has uttered them before. I think we should all be prepared to hear them more frequently not only from the Palestinians, but from people all over who are within the framework of this conflict.

Is there something lost in the translation between Arabic and Hebrew or English here, some subtle nuance the diplomats are politely overlooking? When haggling in the souk, a willing buyer and seller approach a possible deal with goals and red lines over price and quantity, more often than not self interest drives them to a mutually acceptable compromise which neither is fully satisfied with but a deal gets done. When Hebrew or English speakers utter words like "negotiation" or "peace process" Palestinians, and Europeans seem to hear "capitulation of the Jews", "surrender of half the enemy's capitol", "internationally imposed solution", "delivery of victory over the Zionist entity". There can be no deal here because Israel, Hamastan and Fatahland all have mutually exclusive goals. Israel seeks to remain a state, the Palestinians seek to build a state on the ashes of Israel. A three state solution and deterrence is the only way forward until the enemy feels strong enough again for war.

Many wise remarks but .... "he supported Egypt's construction of a border fence with the Gaza Strip as part of its efforts to crack down on smuggling." This remark more or less disqualifies Abbas as a Palestinian negotiator. Prepared to let the Gaza people suffer for voting Hamas.

The key to the solution to this problems is for Israel to accept International law which does not allow acquisition of land through warfare. That means that Abbas is right. The start of discussions is the 1967 borders. The question is now, What will Israel give to legally acquire the land that it wants? It may be a 3 or 5 for 1 land swap. Or more. . It may be an eternal rental payment for the land but not freehold possession. It may be anything else that Abbas asks for like billions of dollars of reconstruction aid for facilities destroyed by the IDF, criminal investigations into killings carried out by the IDF, etc. I hope he has the guts to press for these. . Like Netanyahu says. This can be set through negotiations. If Israel does not come up an acceptable alternative solution, the de facto solution is 1967 borders and 300,000 new Jewish Palestinians. That is what negotiations mean. Good luck guys.

Seems like Abbas is setting himself up for a breakthrough with israel or an assasination attempt by Fatah or Hamas.

What the heck are 'low-level' talks anyway? Abbas has secured himself a position as the most rediculous leader any nation has seen. He's a 'softy' but completely bi-polar and impotent. The 'one-state' solution he speaks of has become a manifest reality as the result of 60 years of palestinian hatred, greed, prejudice, murder and a severe lack of intelligence. While I used to support the 'idea' of a palestinian 'territory' under Israeli security: after watching the palestinians waffle and side-wind for my entire life, I've fully given up on them. Fully. A one state solution is the only solution: the only one which will bring Israel peace and final security. I hope for a single state with no palestinian territories, lands or the like.

Someone must of pulled on the puppets strings....