Palestinian official: PA will never recognize Israel as Jewish state

doesn't have to worry about having a 23rd Arab state in the region... for the time being. Only when the Arabs don't expect Israel to commit suicide in return for a "peace treaty", will there be a 23 Arab state.

no chance for peace & a 2 state solution Abass makes that very clear....if he can't accept Israel as a Jewish state he can go to ....

Will Islam next say that the Jews actually started occupying this land 3000 years ago or will that negate their argument for sovereignty over the area? Islamists really mean it when they say that they have the final religion for all mankind to be spread by force if need be. They just can't reconcile and peacefully accept being lower than the infidels when they sincerely believe that they alone worship the most high G-d Allah and therefore should alone be realizing his physical and spiritual blessings and naturally attain number one status in the world. In this blind context, even the word of the G-d of Israel overruling all their enshallahs and coming to pass in favor of Israel is not a serious enough sign for them that they are going against G-d's grain and are voiding themselves of His blessings and are instead hoarding His curses.

If Palestinian Arabs uttered for long years now that they hope to achieve peace within the formula of two states for two people (Erekat, Rudeineh, Rabo, Abbas and all of them have repeatedly stated it) what's the fuss? It's clearly not going to be an Arab state and a Sufi state, a Kurdish state or a Druze state. It's the homeland for Jews and the homeland for Palestinian Arabs that was decided since 1947. How long can Arabs carry a grudge? Apparently the can do it forever, to their own detriment.

All this is baloney and saying it is not so will not make it go away. Making a State work requires money and the PA has to rely on how many "Christian" countries to get the cash? Jews can be atheists you know.

Israel is in the driver's seat and needs to get tough with its enemies of whom the Palestinians are one. When Lieberman is Prime Minister they will know that we mean business. If they want land them let them go to their Arab friends.

They'll never accept Israel. Period. What I don't understand is, why is there any point in continuing to have a "peace process?"

Palestinians apparently think that that is important. Why should it be less so for other peoples?

Fact is, the PA is taking precisely the same stance as is Israel, and the Palestinians OWNED the land Israel appropriated. Hisotry is an incovenient fact.

If Palestinian Arabs uttered for long years now that they hope to achieve peace within the formula of two states for two people (Erekat, Rudeineh, Rabo, Abbas and all of them have repeatedly stated it) what's the fuss? It's clearly not going to be an Arab state and a Sufi state, a Kurdish state or a Druze state. It's the homeland for Jews and the homeland for Palestinian Arabs that was decided since 1947. How long can Arabs carry a grudge? Apparently the can do it forever, to their own detriment.

Israel wants to be a democracy that doesn’t consider all its citizens equal. It would be absurdly funny if it was a joke. But as a Zionist with a complete devotion to the concept of Israel as a Jewish homeland--I refuse to laugh. The Arabs who call Israel their country, vote in the Israeli elections, pay taxes and are legally declared equal under Israeli law, are supposed to accept the proposition that they are like guests in the Jewish homeland. But they are not. They are Israelis. So the country is not only a Jewish homeland, it is an Arab homeland. I resent the Netanyahu demand the country be recognized as only a Jewish homeland. I hereby recognize Israel as a homeland of two (and perhaps more) ethnic heritages. I demand (mimicking Netanyahu) that the knesset be made a bicameral legislative body with the lower house representing ALL non-Hebrew Israelis, and the upper house being solely Jewish. Viva true Democracy!

I don't want to live in a Jewish State and will not swear the oath, I am an Israeli but till this government leaves I decided to go back to France... Shmae on you Netenyahu and Liebermann, you remind me of Haider in Austria...

At last they have said what they believe and now only a fooll would consider that there is a reall partner for peace by giving them more land they are being allowed to eat up israel from within its a blessing that they have let their reall feellings be known the only question is how the leftist element will try and spin and dilute its reall meaning

http://www.mideastweb.org/palconstitution.htm Article (2) Palestine is part of the Arab nation. The state of Palestine abides by the charter of the League of Arab States. The Palestinian people are part of the Arab and Islamic nations. Arab unity is a goal, the Palestinian people hopes to achieve. Article (5) Arabic and Islam are the official Palestinian language and religion. Christianity and all other monotheistic religions shall be equally revered and respected. The Constitution guarantees equality in rights and duties to all citizens irrespective of their religious belief. Article (7) The principles of Islamic Shari’a are a major source for legislation. Civil and religious matters of the followers of monotheistic religions shall be organized in accordance with their religious teachings and denominations within the framework of law, while preserving the unity and independence of the Palestinian people. Article (24) Children shall have all the rights guaranteed by the “Charter of the Rights of the Arab Child” . Article (48) The state shall guarantee family, maternal and child care. It shall care for adolescents and the youth. The law shall regulate children, mother and family rights in accordance with the provisions of international agreements and the ‘Rights of the Arab Child’ charter. In particular, the state shall seek to protect children from harm, harsh treatment, abuse, and from any work that would endanger their safety, health and education. Article (111) - In whatever subject matters the president refers to the council concerning general policy in Arab and foreign affairs for the state of Palestine.

One could easily deduce that Abbas is committed to a one state solution. Haaretz has been publishing articles by liberals whose own statements support that notion while advocating a supposed tolerance of Jews. The accepted de facto existence of a Jewsih satte is the only guarantee Israel has of tolerance , Mr. Netanyahu's request seems entirely reasonable.

The Israelis insist on playing stupid word games while steadfastly refusing to put forward any concrete proposals whatsoever OR respond to the detailed formulas offered by the Palestinians. The State of Israel committed seven years ago, under the so-called Road Map, to completely and permanently cease ALL settlement construction, including for "natural growth" AND to dismantle all the "illegal" outposts and new settlements. How serious do you think they are??

Israel the full return of Palestinian refugees to their homes in Israel and Palestine, if the Israelis want Palestinians to recognize Israel as a jewish homeland. I'm sure bibi will reject it.

"Never" is a long time ...to wait for the establishment of an Arab State alongside an existing Jewish State --- on a previously British Mandate territory known as "Palestine". Even the UN Partition plan called for a "Jewish" state. Is the PA still rejecting in 2010 the UN's 1947 Partition plan?

This charade by Netanyahoo will boomerang on Israel as all other previous schemes. The result will be this, as we saw in Lebanon, Sinai and Gaza, war and the language of violence is the only language Israel understands - as history clearly unequivocally has shown us. The scheme here is self-evident, Netanyahoo and Lieberman want to see Hamas takeover the West Bank. They want to start the third intifadah - remove Israel from the international spotlight and pressure on it's expansion plans - and this is where this is going. This is a boneheaded strategy that not only will bring misery to Israeli's and Palestinians - but it will shorten the life span of Israel as sure as the day is long.

Just as Abbas says, "Netanyahu must choose between settlements and peace.", Abbas also must choose. He will not have a state for his people without recognizing Israel as the nation state of the Jewish people. The mandate has always been an Arab state and a Jewish state- two states for two peoples. That is the essence, the heart, of the peace process. To end the conflict forever, the Jews of Israel must forever end any claim to a new state of Palestine and the Arabs of Palestine must forever end any claim to Israel.

C'mon, isn't Israel obviously Jewish, look at the flag, look at the national holidays, look at it's history. Anyone who can look at Israel and say that this is a not a Jewish state is either absolutely ignorant, in total denial or a bald faced liar.

There is a building firestorm in US politics over this. These two have been claiming that Abbas and PLO refusal to recognize the Jewish State (#1 obstacle to peace for 63 years) is "mere posturing", and that they actually will do so. It is clear that this is a lie, and they have know it all along - the PLO, true to its charter (available online) has no intention of recognizing the Jewish State of Israel in exchange for recognition of their state. They have no intention of making peace with Israel, they want something for nothing, not "Land for Peace". Obama's entire "freeze" fiasco has been a smokescreen to cover this up, while he and Clinton embezzled billions of US tax dollars to bankroll the PLO, claiming they are a "peace partner". US law is clear - with PLO rejecting ever recognizing Jewish Israel, Obama is obligated to expel their US office, and proceed with moving the US Israel to embassy to Jerusalem, as the 1994 law requires, since there are now no longer "serious" peace negotiations Obama can certify will be upset. Israel will never negotiate further or tolerate moves to a PA state if Arab recognition of the Jewish State is off the table. Abbas has dragged everybody back to 1968 - "no recognition, no negotiation, no peace", thanks to Obama's ineptitude and trademark dishonesty.

Then there will be peace, I mean well over 75% of Americans are Christians and we are becoming even more Catholic by the day - we already ARE a Christian nation but should set it in stone, as should Israel and Palestine.

It is a big lie to say a democratic jewish state because religion i mean all religions contradicts with democracy .if Israel has to become a jewish state this is logic with borders according to UN resoliutions 181 194 this will be fair

they better recognize Israel quickly or there will be no land for Palestinians to establish a country!

please do get on with building a prosperous israel but can it please be done on your OWN LAND might be nice if youa ctually accepted the palestinian right to owners ship of land on an equal basis to jews but there again you can just use the custodian general to help in the land grab IT WILL ALL END IN TEARS as all imperial adventures do

Ditto.

I personally feel that Israel should stop settlement construction in the West Bank and areas of Jerusalem until the borders are finalized and then permit construction where it's permissible. PM Netanyahu shouldn't really have brought this request of Israel's status in relation to the settlements moratorium. He works backwards and I've stated this since he became PM again. However, this issue of not recognizing Israel as the Jewish homeland as most countries of the world have recognized it to be, is going to be a problem for you and the Arab League of Nations because look at the essential aspect of it. The Jews have persevered as a people for over 5000 years of history. My Babylonian Jewish background attests to this yearning to return to Israel for overall security, despite all the conquests and destruction, it never was relinquished this connection to Israel and especially Jerusalem. You also have legitimate rights and connection to the same land and Jerusalem, but your connection began in the 7th century. You cannot say I will never recognize your history and it never happened and there's no evidence. That's the point of recognizing the Jewish homeland part. Surely a diplomatic compromise will be found so that coexistence in the Holy Land continues as it has for centuries.

Jewish state recognition will be declared once a peace deal is reached, until then a partial recognition [ without clarifying ] of a jewish state that lasts during the period of freeze, if the freeze ends, the partial recognition ends.

The Arabs already recognize Israel as a "Zionist entity". Why not replace "Jewish State" by "Zionist State" and be done with it?

and Lieberman is paving the way....poor Israel...

They will never succeed in the Middle East based on the status quo. Their leaders and settlers have placed them on the wrong side of law and history today. They are the big losers in all of this affair. Perhaps they can work something out with the Palestinian people. They have always been good people until their fanatical land thieves and war mongers tried to make their home- land their own.....Dutch

I would love to hear the PA state that they will not reconise a Jewish State and at the same time state that nor do they reconise any Islamic states. Israel certanley does not needs their permission. Any way the PA has no say in this matter their big daddy the Arab states pull the string and they jump.

the pals recognised israel and its right to exist in the oslo accords. netanyahu is seeking to derail the peace talk ANYONE CAN SEE THAT . he is asking the pals to give up their right to return to alnd they or their fathers lived on while saying jewish people who ahvent lived there for 2000 years can return no questions asked. hardly fair is it

If this is the peace Israel wants we can wait for it another couple of years

Obviously, the Palestinians don't have to recognize Israel as a Jewish state. That's like forcing Catholic Mexican immigrants in Texas to recognize Texas as a Protestant state. Even if it could be done, it is pointless, futile, and not to the point. The settlements have already determined that we shall have one state. It will be a mixed ethnicity state, and hopefully, if reasonable people can ever gain some political ground--it will be a democratic state.

That's the real question.

It seems that Mr. Netanyahu is cornerd between his fundemantlist right wing goverment and the pruse of the U.S. he is playing a game where to balm the Palestinians for the failier of the peacetalks, by bringing something new has no sense at all the recognation of Israel as jewish state. Mr. PM you have unfreezed the settlments work and that in itself stops the peacetalks. Please for once have some sense, the issuse is rather simple stop the settlements go back to the peacetalks, so we can all live in peace, and I am sure that there are moderate and reasonable voices in israel who can help you.

judea and samaria are historicaly part of the jewish history so if they want to recognyze us why we should ?

This continual, almost monotonous dishonesty is one of the most repulsive things about Israel.

If our Neighbors don't recognise the jewish people's fundamnetal rights, what point is there for us to negotiate? The occupation MUST continue until our basic right of existence is secured. only then can we start thinking of retreating to 67 border. Even if it takes another 40 years!!

UN-GA181 (29 Nov 1947) – Israel IS a JEWISH State UN General Assembly Resolution 181 partitioned the Mandate for Palestine into “independent Arab and Jewish States”. What happened to the “independent Arab State”? The Jordanians occupied it and annexed it. Too bad for the poor Palestinians. There would have been no refugees had the Arabs accepted the UN partition and gone to war against Israel. The Arabs started a war and lost it. The consequences of their bad decisions were the refugees. But if one is so concerned about refugees, what of the 800,000 Jews expelled from Arab lands in 1948, following the UN partition? Where is the justice for them? The Palestinians are the only refugees in the history of the world who have not been resettled and that is because the Arabs want it that way. The Palestinians are the only refugees with their own UN agency (UNWRA). All other world refugees use the UN Refugee Agency. This is proof of the Arab control over the UN and perpetuating the suffering of the Palestinians.

there will be no need in their recognition - they will continue to function as authority managing everyday life of 95% of Arab residents in Judea and Samaria. They should study Lesotho map : http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.leeabbamonte.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/lesotho-map.bmp&imgrefurl=http://www.leeabbamonte.com/lee/africa/page/4/&h=326&w=359&sz=116&tbnid=JUj7oliSagXtfM:&tbnh=110&tbnw=121&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dlesotho%2Bmap&zoom=1&q=lesotho+map&usg=__oiYsd_Jsg-t88QbTa8POdhJTA4w=&sa=X&ei=zSe0TJbvHYOClAfZor3eCw&ved=0CC0Q9QEwBg

Palestinian Authority is as confused as their leaders with the following reasons: (a) Without recognising Israel as a Jewish State which they have refused to do, Palestinians may not achieve or realise their own State. The essence of 'Two State solution for two people’ is to allow both Palestinians and Jews to have their own state, so, what is wrong in Palestinians recognising Israel as a Jewish state when Palestinians wants Jews and Israel to recognise Palestinian State. (b) Palestinian State by its directions will not want to see a Jew in their state, if created, so why must Palestinians and Arabs be found in Israel? This idea of ‘right of return’ will not apply to future Jewish State of Israel, as by creation of Palestinian State that problem is already solved. Remember Jews were also displaced in most of their lands in Arab countries, even in the present Israel before 1948 creation of the ‘State of Israel’. My submission therefore is that Palestinians must try and understand the international definition of racism. (c) based on the formula of two state for two people, I do hope that the Palestinians will understand that the yet to be created 'Palestinian State' is meant to allow Palestinians to have their own state, as a result, every Palestinians whether Arab-Israelis or Palestinians in diaspora must be part of Palestinian State, as Jewish State of Israel is for the Jewish people. It will be very wrong for Palestinians to think that they will fight for the creation of Palestinian State, after which they will also claim or think that Arab-Israelis must belong to Israel. I think such Palestinians' presumption will lead to the collapse of the peace process. Palestinians must come to a true understanding that one must not have two things at a time especially when those things are controversial such as the 'Middle East Politics'. The question therefore is as to whether Palestinians want a State or whether they want to occupy the entire Israel. It is my belief that going by the position of Palestinians Authority and Arabs politics, Jews will not be allowed to have a state if Palestinian are in control of Israel, therefore, Israel must be very careful not to enslave themselves, because Palestinians and Arabs are hopelessly and foolishly stubborn. We must remember about the 1948 creation of State of Israel; Arabs refused to recognise Israel as a Jewish homeland, but Arabs refusal brought Arabs undoing. I will advice Palestinians and Arabs to recognise Israel as a homeland for Jewish people, as give and take must be made so that Palestinian state can be created and its capital will be in Ramallah. I wonder if peace can be achieved without both parties making compromise. Palestinian Authority and Arabs insistence on 1967 border will not help the peace process as the parties must have to take the practical realities or facts on the ground for peace to be achieved. Finally, I doubt if peace will ever be achieved, but I would be very happy to see peace achieved.

NO COUNTRY ON THE PLANET has granted Israel recognition as the Jewish State. The Declaration ofr the Establishment of the State of Israel says, very clearly it shall be known as "the State of Israel" ..... furthermore the Declaration does not mention anywhere about it being a democracy " it will be based on freedom, justice and peace as envisaged by the prophets of Israel;” The prophets of Israel are a religious notion = theocratic. http://wp.me/pDB7k-D6 Israelis, their leaders seem to know every little about the state in which they live. Maybe it's because so many of them live OUTSIDE in "territories occupied" and territories never legally annexed after the '48/50 war

Israel rejects Palestinian proposals, Palestine rejects Israeli ones. Let us not make proposals from abroad. It is their conflict, they're used to it, it gives them at least some temporel enjoyment, temporal successes. If people may die, military comradeship and shared moments of grief provide intense feelings of relatedness. And still: Accepting death in the midst of our lives means accepting reality as I recently read from a contemporary philosopher.

The main issue is the future Israeli / Palestinian border , get that settled and then everybody can do what they like and name themselves as they please

Initially it was recognition of the State of Israel by the PLO and that was done. Then it was the recognition of the Arab countries and it was done. Did the Israeli governments ever recognise the Palestinians right of return or right to their own state or even recognise that they are occupying Palestinian land. They call it disputed land. Why do the Palestinians need to recognise the Jewish State now? Are the Arabs asking Israel to recognise their countries as Moslem countries or is it that the Israelis ran out of excuses. No more suicide bombings, the leadership of the Palestinians now is clear on no violence and only talks. The Israelis need to offer concrete steps and not freezing of settlements (that are originally illegal) for recognition of Jewish State, what a price for Israel to stop their illegal actions. It is like someone asking court to recognise his religion in order to stop rape. Isn't that silly? Recognition by Israel and committment of return to exact 1967 border and recognition of Palestinian State in Return to Palestinian Recognition of Israeli State is the fair solution. The Israeli government is now trying to seek the emotions of Jews worldwide. The Palestinians are not against the Jews at all. The Palestinians are only against occupation. Return their land to them and they will live next to you in Peace. Whoever tries to polute this fact is only trying to cheat their own people and use them.

The refusal to recognize Israel as a Jewish state is tantamount to refusing to recognize Israel period. This requires ironclad reciprocity; i.e. no recognition of Jew means no recognition of Palestinians. Indeed, the latter being a false construct to being with, just like Jordan is a false nationality. Arabs are a nation. Jews are a nation. Palestinians are just an invention to further damage Jewish sovereignty and security.

The state's name is ISRAEL. Countries recognise the state of Israel. The PLO/PA under Arafat recognised Israel as long ago as 1993. If Israel wants to change its name to 'The Jewish Republic of Israel' - and can get the support of the non-Jewish minority, those who don't practice Judaism and democrats who are uncomfortable with racist titles like this one - then no doubt some will recognise it under its new name, others will jibe at the racial/religious connotations. If the Netanyahoos want the class to write down that Israel is ALSO the homeland of the Jewish people, then they will have to accept that it is ALSO the homeland of the Palestinian Arabs who live there and those who lived there before their expulsion/forced exodus in 1948. Basically, it's a ridiculous demand from Netanyahu and a transparent and clumsy ploy to wreck the peace talks.

In 1948 there was no Israeli people. Now there is. If you turn up in Britain with an Israeli passport, you're not a Jew or an Arab. You're an Israeli. A state of the Israeli people can still allow Jews from the US and elsewhere to become Israelis too. No problem. A state of the Israeli people will still have a Jewish majority and will, therefore, still have a strong Jewish flavour, with Jewish holidays and using hebrew a lot etc. It just won't have the nasty tinge of ethnocracy that currently hangs over The Jewish State in the 21st centiry.

Unless they recognize Israel for what it is, a Jewish state. The back-door exist excuse for the Palestinian "right of return" is ludicrous since it's a non issue in the first place and a deal breaker, considering Arabs will leave the country when a Palestinian state is erected, not get in, though still Israel today allows Arabs to live freely in it (though Jews can't say the same in regards to their cities) and thus this is nothing but a completely irrelevant excuse. This is a very logical demand by Israel considering Palestinians recently (Hamas for one) declared they view Tel Aviv as a settlement and they want to Islamize all the land from Jordan to sea. This is a demand that Palestinians publicly acknowledge Israel belongs to Israel and is Jewish, not Islamic.

Bibi is absolutely brilliant. He knew the PA would never accept Israel as a Jewish State, therefore, delaying the peace talks til less than a month before critical US elections when the true Israeli Allies will control congress and Obama will become a lame duck President, and now the PA cannot say Israel didnt want peace and the whole world knows it...they showed their true colors...they dont want peace with Israel, they dont even think they have the right to exist. To all Jews out there mad at Bibi, you need to think about it. He killed two birds with one stone..BRILLIANT!!

It's looks like a play garden they pretend peace and all the benefit but they are not willing to recognize us, is not possible to have a dialogue with someone that says You have no right to exist in your own land . What if Israel government agree with Pals asking them in exchange to do not call Palestinians state. I hope this time our government will find the way to start a world wide diplomatics campaign to show that Palestinians don't want peace

How does that work?

A freeze on building is an act of recognition from Israel that the pals have rights over the land. Israel has always disputed and so, has always held off from a building freeze. So, I think it is a clever move on Netanyahu's part to ask for a quid pro quo i.e. for the pals to recognise Israel's nature in return for their recognition. It comes as no surprise that the pals do not want to do this and come back with the usual childish accusations of wrecking the peace process.

Try "democratic republic of Israel" anybody will recognize that. Ok God told you that it's your land. So what? Why are you insisting the world not to recognize your state as "democratic" but "Jewish"??? And there are also non Jewish minorities in Israel. If you declare yourself as a democratic republic, everything is ok. But being a "Jewish state" will only make Israel a third world aprtheid regime.

I am very confused. Erekat doesn't want a Jewish State but at the same time dismisses the idea that Jews will live in a Paletinian state. I think the old guard of Fatah should resign and no peace talks until Gilad Shalit is released and Hamas is included in any peace talks.

Netanyahu very loudly and inirectly by his actions is saying no to peace. Israel like any other Nation should be naturally home to all its people by birth specially. Isnt Israel home to PALESTENIANS who are born there and lived there for thousands of years. Naturally born Palestenians in Israel should have more rights than the imported crooks. All palestenians should be allowed to return to the exact place from where they were forced out. If they were from West Bank or Gaza than they should be allowed to return to West Bank and Gaza and if they were from Israel Proper than they should be allowed to return to Israel with all inherited children. Israel belongs to all people regardless of Jews, Christians, and muslims who were born there and lived there. Netanyahu should be creating conditions in Israel where all people can live in harmony, respect and peace. This is only possible if Netanyahu sincerely shows that he is Priminister for all Israeli Citizen with full rights. Unfortunately Netanyahu is exactly opposite and something else.

As long as the arab world, Palestinians included, doesn't recognize Israel as a Jewish state. They shall continue their Jihad to convert it to an Islamic one. Israel shall never agree to sign off on agreements just to let the Arab world continue to work through violence and murder to convert it to Islam. No recognition of Israel as a Jewish state, no peace.