Barak: Impasse in peace talks only helps Hamas

Failure begets failure; it rarely stands alone in such circumstances and, ultimately, the scene is set for some very stark choices, very stark indeed. Yet another failed attempt at peace only contibutes to the situation becoming almost irretrievable and this may very well prove to be the case unless really radical steps are taken. To achieve any decisive result here, such steps must engage much more closely with the violence and with the tensions so prevalent within both communities. As the matter stands, it is unlikely to yield to the conventional ministrations of peace brokers, the use of military force or any other form of coercion. All these factors, like so many others, serve only to compound the problem, directing it further and further away from the slightest possibility of resolution. http://yorketowers.blogspot.com Sometimes, it can be better to grasp the nettle than live constantly in fear of its sting.

"A dead end in the diplomatic process will only serve Hamas and the other extremist elements in the region," said Barak in a statement." By keeping the world occupied with talk, talk, talk, it will also serve the interests of the Israeli extremists who grab, grab, grab more and more Palestinian territory. Why is it that Mr. Barak never speaks of Israel's good, good, good projects for peace, but only Hamas' bad, bad, bad terrorism? Could it be that he has nothing good to say about Israel's intentions?

It's hard to imagine a more reasonable requirement for good faith negotiations than a settlement freeze. Israel has to quit consumating its theft of Palestinian property. Who can negotiate or compromise with a thief who continues to steal from you? On the other hand, all that is being built on the WB should eventually be returned to the Palestinians, so hopefully Israel is just wasting its resources and giving the Palestinians property to use or destroy (as physical manifestations of evil like the Berlin Wall) as they see fit. Deliberatly created "facts on the ground" should be completely and utterly disregarded in final negotiations.

... he is afraid he will be killed by the street. Possibly. Sadat was. Strange. Their kids are taught the glory of martyrdom, and to embrace death. But their leaders do value their precious hides after all.

Since the reason that there are no talks is that Israel refuses to stop building settlements in violation of international law, its commitments under the Road Map, and basic, common decency.

The only construction freeze there will be in the territories is the illegal Arab constuction. Jewish construction will continue unhindered, as it should.

The true extremists are in Baraks mirror. Do all Israeli leaders recite" mirror mirror on the wall who's the fairest of them all" then send out poisoned apples?....Hamas and the radicalization of the Arabs is Israel's and the USA's bastard son its their baby....a DNA test would prove it hands down!....PEACE EVER?

Then why doesn't Barak press Netanyahu to abide Israel's previous commitments and halt all settlement construction so talks can proceed. Until Israel abides by its previous commitments, there is no use negotiating new commitments that that there is no reason to believe Israel will honor.

The thought has occurred to many that if Abbas and peace failed, then Hamas won. It is amusing to see Mr. Barak suddenly realize what was obvious years go. He has been the Defense Minister for two Prime Ministers. One of whom held talks with no intention of actually negotiating a solution thus avoiding peace and humbling Abbas. The other determined to end all hope for peace and totally destroying Abbas. Now, suddenly Mr. Barak discovers the obvious. With no Abbas to negotiate with the state of Israel stood to end up a lot worse off than when Abbas was their to give hope to the Palestinians for a peaceful solution. The situation is exactly what Hamas would benefit from. Palestinians with no hope fore peace. A defiant Israel expanding settlements rapidly. The whole concept of Peace Through Moderation and Negotiation utterly discredited amongst Palestinians. Mr. Barak had talent as a military man. But he is a total failure as a Defense Minister.

Netanyahu is trying to be safe on the fence, Barak is making statements not backed by policy and Lieberman is absent. Each one convincing Israelis that as long as settlements continue, everything is fine, everything is fine, everything is fine. The zionist project has moved from establishment of Israel to a narrow and harrowing cause of establishing settlements.

That is why there is no peace process. And anyone who argues that settlements are no obstacle is delusional. How would you feel if you and a friend were arguing over who gets the last slice of pizza all the while your friend kept on picking it up and taking bites out of it?

As the Goldstone report has shown, Abbas/Fatah can no longer expect to have any popularity by sidestepping Palestinian interests in exchange for US favors. What Barak needs to calculate now is how to deal with the new PA. Obama himself is left with no choices. Having chosen to not punish Israel for settlements, then having pushed Abbas into a corner with the Goldstone report, he has no more any possibility of making any further demands. On the Iran track - it an be considered as dead as the Palestinian track. Afghanistan and Pakistan also in escalating limbo. Only ting left for Obama to do is to figure out a good way to tell Israel the truth about US interests in the ME WITHOUT saying so. With a 6% popularity rating in Israel, there is very little he has to lose. As for US Jews, they understand that Netanyahu-Lieberman have made it impossible for the situation to change.

Didn't the Jews promise a settlement freeze. Then a partial freeze. Then "natural growth" allowance. Now it's accelerated building in the 'settlements' on Palestinian land. You disregarded and lied to President Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and President Abbas. Why would any intelligent, reasonable leader talk to Israeli politicians? It's a complete waste of time. Hamas has the right approach. Resistence is the only way. God bless them. Salaam/Shalom

Israel will never allow a Palestinian state on the moon. That is the top of the Earth's gravity well and it would be too easy to bombard Israel. There is a possible location for a Palestinian state acceptable to Israel. There is a planet orbiting the star Gamma Cephei.

I agree, impasse will only strengthen the extreme elements, on both sides.This Israeli government has reluctantly agreed to the two state solution. It is time to show our American allies that indeed we meant business on the ground. It appears the opposite is true however. This government agrees in words only for political correctness reasons. It has done everything in its power to accelerate settlement construction on land, every one and his cat agrees, it will be where the Palestinians will establish their state.

...Israel's greed for land and resources and the fact that the illegal colonists rule Israel are the chief obstacles to a deal. Everyone knows what the deal is going to be. But Israel is unwilling to follow the rule of law. Law and order will be imposed then. The world can't afford Israel's inspiration of world terrorism through it belligerence anymore. During this entire illegal occupation the world has seen the following come and go: The Korean War, Vietnam, the War in Afghanistan, the fall of the Berlin Wall, the fall of the Iron Curtain, Iran-Iraq War, Bosnia-Serbia, the Gulf War and all manner of other equally earth shaking events and wars and conflicts and Israel is STILL STEALING Palestinian land! Time's up.

... between the 'diplomatic process' and facts-on-the-ground... ... how much longer can this make-believe continue...?

... why doesn't he shout-it-loud-and-clear to the coalition of which he is a key member...?

"Barak: Impasse in peace talks only helps Hamas" Isn't that the game-plan?

"A dead end in the diplomatic process will only serve Hamas and the other extremist elements in the region," - Ehud Barak This thought has occurred to some of us. Where has Ehud Barak been for the last three years? For three years he has been the Defense Ministers of two governments. The first was determined to obstruct any real progress in negotiations, he second dedicated to destroying any negotiations. Both were relentless in destroying the credibility of any and all moderate Palestinians. Now that the Israeli right has achieved 'mission accomplished' Mr. Barak suddenly looks ahead and sees what happens next?