Jordan's Abdullah invites Israeli, PA, U.S. delegates to peace talks

Bruce said, "There is no such thing ever implemented in the history of the whole world." Are you advocating that refugees never return to their homes? Nice to live in NJ, isn't it? Let me add that Israel recognizes the right of return, but only for Jews and not for the indigenous Arab population. Why is there double standards based on race? The answer is RACISM. Don't you agree?

Israel's admission to the U.N. was conditional to its acceptance of 194.The Israeli rep.Abba Eban gave that specific guarantee prior to admission. See UN GAOR Ad Political Comm.,3d Sess.,45th mtg.,at 4,at 7,UN Doc.AC/Ac 24/ SR 47 (1949)

Israel can no longer deny peace, Bush will only allow them to delay peace for so long.Have you noticed the change in Israel and the US towards peace now.Now American is talking to Hamas what a change.The EU,Russia and other countries understand that Hamas is a democratic elected party,America knows they have no choice but to talk to the Palestinians. Israel, you can have it both ways,you have choose to occupy the Palestinians lands, your hope was for them to flock to Lebanon and Jordan,now they want to go back to Jerusalem,something they have never gave up on.After all these years you have kept on taking more land,building and expanding settlements. The problem, in order for peace you have to return this land back, as you are not the rightful owners.Are you prepared to pay billions of US tax payers dollars in compensation.UN resoltion194 needs to be in forced and respected

There is no such thing ever implemented in the history of the whole world. Besides Palestinians are Arabs born in Palestine and not Arabs born in other countries. Don't delude yourself, you just extend your own agony.

jackiekc, I don't claim to have read the Torah but would you clarify the following: You said, "Hagar was an Eqyptian hand maiden, a servant of Sarah. Her son Ishmael was banished from Abraham`s tents after his misbehaviour" Q. Was Hagar Abraham's wife? Q. Was Ishmail Abraham's son. You said, "Hagar, as an Egyptian, was descended from Ham, therefore not a Semite." Q. Was Ismail himself a Semite since he is the son of Abraham, a Semite? Unless you claim that Ismail is not the son of Abraham. If your answer to all questions is positive then Sara's statement is correct.

Pierre said: NO TO REFUGEES Who the hell are you to deny the Palestinians their rights? The right of return is not yours or any body's to give or take away. Yes there are consequences when, and not if, the Palestinians return. Deal with those issues rather than being ignorant of human rights. Justice is the road to peace. Other wise, you're just wasting time, complicating issues and causing more misery on both sides.

Ham,Shem and Japheth were all three sons of Noah. Hagar's son is Ishmael,by ABRAHAM.This much I am sure you are not disputing.Sarah's son is Isaac. The jews were finally defeated by the Romans in the second century A.D. after which they scattered.The Dome of the Rock was built in 688 A.D. and by this time Islamic ascendancy was solidified and lasted in around all that region and beyond for another 1,000 years.

Do your research and see how many "terrorist" CHILDREN israel holds in prision. IF one jewish child was in any prision for ANY reason there would be a huge outcry from your jewish organizations throughout the world. OMG how horrible for ONE jewish child to be locked up!!! Peace IS possible but BOTH sides have to agree, one side cannot demand they are entitled to the entire mideast, and the other side is deamanded to except nothing in return. It cannot work like that.

Most of you jews???? NOPE you are wrong. True jews oppose the zionist movement. Obvisiously you are NOT a TRUE JEW, BUT a follower of a MOVEMENT only.. The Holy Bible says to BEWARE of those that CALL themselves jew, BUT ARE NOT.

A year from now will bring unease for Israel. Israel is an illegal state and no peace accord will help Israel to be part of the middle east.

Here's the fly in the ointment. When I was taking a trip from Jerusalem to Nazareth all my Arab Muslim friends told me not to eat the felafel in Nazareth bc. the Christians fry it in lard. Now I don't know whether this is true and I did not and do not observe kashrut but I was and am tsimchoni (vegetarian). So there's always a problem even with hummus and felafel diplomacy

You state that Abraham had two wives and two sons. Read Torah please and see, Hagar was an Eqyptian hand maiden, a servant of Sarah. Her son Ishmael was banished from Abraham's tents after his misbehaviour. We recognize Isaac, Abraham's other son, as our patriarch, because his mother was Abraham's wife and he was Abraham's heir. His grandchildren made up the tribes of ancient Israel and david, who established Jerusalem as his capital city, was descended from Isaac's grandson Yhudah. Hagar, as an Egypt;ian, was descended from Ham, therefore not a Semite. The temple existed for longer than the mosques, which were built atop a Christian church's remains. Christians and Jews are forbidden to pray on the Temple Mount. (Incidentally the church was founded by Constantine's mother, who visited Israel and named sites where she believed Jesus had walked. If you need more facts, about history -- ancient or more recent -- read!!

I thoought the stance of Saudi Arabia was that Isreal had to accept their terms or face the consequences. Has the Israeli gov't given in or have the Arabs decided that ultimatums are not a desirable way of achieving peace?

If you read Abdullah's thoughtful speech before the US Congress and compare it with any Bush speech in the same building, you might find yourself wondering if trading monarchy for democracy here was such a good move after all. Not only does the wisdom of his foreign policy vision exceed Bush's, but his wife is fiiiiine.

It is tragicomical - this miserable joke of a government expresses "reservations" about re-vival of Arafat's old plan for Israel's destruction.

uses the word ZIONIST as a derogatory term. Sorry to burst your bubble babe, but Most of us JEWS would gladly accept that as a GREAT COMPLIMENT. So Thank you sara!

I said puppy & NOT little bitch. Snaps away, backing others causing little harm. Perhaps when the little puppy grows up & stops peeing on the carpet she will stand up & answer to challenges put to her fabrications rather than just barking along with the other rabid dogs!

Contrast the hopefulness of Abdullah with the fearful pessimism of most respondents on this thread. A fear which creates a democratic political reality which constrains Prime Minister Olmert while an autocratic King Abdullah is free to negotiate. Note the silmilarity between Bush and Clinton. Clinton disgraced and impeached by the Lewinski scandal - Bush disgraced by the tragic failure of his foreign policy - both seek absolution and to salvage their legacy in peace in Palestine. Motivation is irrelevant - just do it.

Who cares what Bush and Olmert want to see in the Middle East? If Arabs are not ready to recognize Israel as a homeland for Jews nothing can help to make peace. King Abdullah's effort is a waste of time. No US president or anybody else can force Jews to commit suicide.

state,they haven't been doing to good of a job at it,for quit a while.remember,these are the same pals that supported arafat,knowing he was stealing from them.remember,these are the same pals that voted hamas into power,when in fact their as corrupt as arafat was.hows that hamas thing working out for the pals martha?they would rather see their own people suffer than to show a little humanity or relinquish any of their power.hamas show put that in their charter also,,,,,,,,the hell with the people that elected us!,,,lmfao

We all agree that hummus, falafel are exelent. Gastronomy is a good basis for understanding. So, if both Israelis and Palestinians enjoy the same goodies, the nature of the conflict is artificial and a solution should be easy to find. Let's start with gastronomy, it is not stupit at all...

But he is wasting his time. Neither Bush nor Olmert want to see peace in the middle east. Bush is playing for time so he can blame a democrat for losing the Iraq War. Olmert is just playing.

- PALS don't recognize agreements that were already reached. There is no sense in making new agreements with PALS. - PALS don't recognize a right of Israel to exist. There is no sense in talking to the partner who considers you "non-existing state". - PALS missed the opportunity to have their own state in 1948. They arranged a war against Israel. - PALS missed the opportunity to have their own state in a program "LAND FOR PEACE" (Oslo). - What PALS WANT? a) ALL THE LAND BETWEEN river JORDAN and SEA. b) TERROR against JEWS till all of them either die or leave. Under such circumstances, PALS shouldn't be trusted. They understand a force only.

Nerys, I identify with what you say, and often feel that way myself. But there's not much point in referring the errant hotheads to academic literature. Maybe one can just try, now and then, to inject a bit of plain common sense into the dialog, and a touch of humor. (I'm not referring ocourse to some of our rabid co-religionists, who are quite beyond the pale).

Lord Monatagu,himself a Jew,opposed the Balfour Declaration of 1917.because he saw with presecience what would happen. You're quite right about the Balfour D. speaking about a "homeland"(not nation) for the Jews in certain sections of historic Palestine only,and that too when due concern and consideration of the indigenous population already living there are taken into consideration. As we saw neither condition was fulfilled.Landgrab and ethnic cleansing of the indigenous population was undertaken by the Zionists. And,ofcourse, to this day.If this is not lawlessness what is it? The good news is that the Palestinians have repeatedly said that they will not give up an inch of their land.And with the Arab initiative,Israel has no alternative except to obey the U.N.Resolutions and end the Occupation. East J. as the Palestinian capital and ROR.

Slavo, you don't know what you're talking about. The grandparents of our typical Israeli family are comprised of one Pole, one Yemenite, one pure Sepharadi and one anglo-saxon, and you should see the wonderful medley of grandchildren growing up and living in peace and amity side by side. Let's extend this on the national level to the Pals. Don't let's get lost in negative defeatest legends.

When they begin eating houmous, green salad and borscht together, it will be the first sign of probable peace. I agree that a diet of pure houmous is not called for. Anyway, let's be less cynical and hope for the best, OK?

AK, no, it's not a lie, cardinal or otherwise. We just have no sign at all that released bomb-makers, in lieu of Shalit, will really be using their talents to make farm implements or peaceful hightech, and not just carrying on making more deadly bombs. That's what's holding the deal up. Surely you understand this.

Well, the salient point here is supposing you do get the entire West Bank back under full Palestinian jurisdiction, then that is precisely where you should resettle your hypothetical "five million" (not in Israel proper). Then we may have two sovreign nations thriving side by side.

OK then, maybe Abdullah will do the trick..... But it'll be a bit difficult for Olmert to bend down and take him by the elbow.... Although generally Olmert could do with a bit of genuflection....

Palestinians, for the most part, will never agree to peace with Israel. I do not believe that the majority of them have any interest in having peace. Why would they have peace when the current status quo helps them? The 'Palestinian cause' is the invention of Islamists and Nationalists who really didn't give a toss about the Pals or the land but rather care about money and POWER. Since the inception of the Palestinian 'cause' many Islamists and Nationalists became millionaires, Intifada millionaires, getting money and support from the rich Arab oil-producing countries. Arabs DO NOT care about Palestinians. 'Palestine' is an excuse for Jihad, suicide bombings and oppressive Arab governments to stay in power.

Any undertaking to understand fully this conflict requires an understanding of the political, ideological and sociological experiences of both parties. There may be vast amounts of literature out there covering all aspects and complexities, but do me a favour, quit the cutting, pasting and B.S that is so mundane and inaccurate. It is nothing more than tiresome drivel that has absolutely no debating worthyness. Tired and bored of stupid comments from bystanders.

Then again the same could be argued about the thousands of Pals killed by IDF. The same IDF that Shalit belongs to. I know its hard for your mind to comprehend but not all 9000+ Pal prioseners including 300 children are terrorists; like the following 2 year old child: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/5122056.stm That is unless you can prove that the 2 year old had a bomb in his diaper he is not a terrorist.

King Hussein would be much more credible than his son King Abdullah to facilitate PEACE talk. Even so, he had failed miserably in the face of Israel's rejectionism policy for almost the last 40 years. Only NUCLEAR ARMED Iran will able to force Israel to make concessions for PEACE, not TALK and more TALK, BS.

The whole world sees the Arab world pushing forwards for peace and Israel trying to destroy any chance of peace by stalling, building settlements and murdering Palestinians. The game is up Israel and it is only a matter of time before you have to concede that you cannot have it all. You no longer fool the world with your lies about wanting peace when all you want is land and the destruction of a people.

demonstration by Arabs in Israel (a country that lacks freedom of expression some say) have they murdered and assisted to murder before they were brought to a court of justice and placed in prison as other murderers have been??

About time someone shut that ARROGANT child up!

The little King of Jordan's even littler father, Hussein had a big idea in 1979. He announced to the world, six years after Black September (the month he ousted all the PLO factions from Jordan) that "JORDAN IS NOT PALESTINE" even though it was and is no more and no less than Israel was or is. BOTH (as well as Gaza and the Golan) were part of the British Mandate over Palestine and the Brits broke their promise to the League of Nations twice in the 1920s: They handed the Golan to France (colonists of Syria and Lebanon) and the "transjordan" (east bank) to the first King Abdullah. Still, the little King'strategy was brilliant as the EU and UN and USA all accept Jordan as an unchallengeable state. Israel's brilliant leaders in 1979 chose their usual strategy of silence. Imagine if, instead, they'd simply said ISRAEL ISN'T PALESTINE, EITHER. That statement is worth no more and no less than the Jordanian one.

Who "Understands" what's going on here & belongs on this site. You, from what I see from your postings, are totally IGNORANT. Of the situation, I hasten to add, as I don't know you personally. Other than what you glean, or choose to believe from Propaganda sites. So Bug Off & go post on Al Jazeera!!! .... If they'll let you!!

Where the hell did you drag, or should I say which Anti ISRAELI site did you cut & paste, your info that Yerushalaim has been the *Palestinian* capital for 1420 YEARS. Pre 67 why wasn't it used as the CAPITAL?? Why were the people quite HAPPY to be governed from AMMAN.... that's in JORDAN sara!!! Why only when we ISRAELIS unified Yerushalaim again after the division created in 49, that's 1949AD sara, when we weren't even allowed access to the Kotel, the remaining the Western Wall of our ancient Temple from MANY THOUSANDS of years ago. I will leave one of my more religious Chaverim to tell you how MANY!! Suffice it to say this year we celebrated the beginning of the Jewish New Year 5767 which means we preceded your pals by approx 5080 YEARS! Go Figure & GFYS!

...that an Israeli news medium like Haaretz should try to be impartial and not be a propaganda organ for the State of Israel? "Instead of being a good little dhimmi newspaper and featuring a Reuters photo of Palestinians holding up pics of their jailed relatives, why don?t you show pics of the Israelis killed by their relatives?"

These 'Talks' if carried out to the full would be 'suicide' for Israel. Could the Arabs ever suggest anything that might not be to their full advantage? Fancy giving to the Arabs land which was never theirs to begin with and won back by Israel during the 1967 War when Arabs tried in vain to destroy her. Arabs have 99.09% of the land mass in the Mideast and Israel only .01 percent. Yet they want that .01% which is not even rightfully ad historically theirs. Mean that's all.

Who are the 'Palestinian' delegates invited by Jordan to the talks? They are, simply Arabs! Why then call themselves 'Palestinians' when they were always known as 'Palestinian/Arabs as Jews, Armenians, Turks, Greeks whoever lived in the region of Palestine under the British Mandate were all known as 'Palestinians'. They are Arabs and have their Homeland. It is Arabia and that is where they should go. Even Abdullah of Jordan does not want these people so he is trying hard for 'peace talks'to work so that he will not be burdened with any more 'Palestinians".

Israel has clearly demonstrated unabating land lust since 1967. I've said it and will say it over and over. If the American administrations desired to see such a state come into being, a simple phone call would have done the job. Moreover, the phrase "NEGOTIATE NOW" would suffice. What we see on the ground is an American/Israel alliance of deception designed to perpetuate the Zionist project in the West bank until the golden opportunity of Nakba-2 occurs, and it will. Having said the above, it's worth adding that Olmert is a weakling in every sense of the word. Even if he longed for peace, and cried a river every morning, he is politically incapabale of delivering the co-existance dream. He looks at the mirror and sees a failure. Therefore optimists should take a long hard look at history books and rethink their peace fantasies. The only solution is to dismantle the "Jewish" state and make it a secular state for ALL its citizens, including Palestinians in the diaspora

1.Your own Torah tells us the story of Abraham and his two wives and 2 sons. 2.The Dome of the Rock was built in 688 A.D. and by this time Islamic ascendancy over the entire region,not just Jerusalem,was well established and would continue for another thousand years. 3.The Arabs are Semites and have been around in the region as long as the Hebrews,if not longer. 4.Present day Israel's policy toward the Palestinians and the Mosque in Jerusalem(recent incursions into Al Aqsa by settlers protected by IDF,and the Mosque guards being beaten up by the security services)can hardly be described as laudable.The international community is well aware of what is going on. 5.You can persist in the myth that historic Palestine belongs to the Jews That's not going to help in the 21 st century where secular democracies are the rule,not ethnic states and ethnocracies. 6.The international community has the right and responsibility towards Palestine.We expect Israel to abide by the rule of law.

Olmert is a lame duck. He would give away the store for a bad agreement, but he is being blocked from a variety of directions. He wants the agreement for his own personal career goal,'just a little respect', for which he deserves absolutely none, because he is a spineless worm, kind of like former PM, so and so. Both worked very hard during their last days in office and achieved nothing more than the destruction of Israel's hard earned deterent for full war and their own reputations, clearly betraying their constituencies in the process. Any intelligent PM of Israel would not be wasting time on this humiliating charade of final talks. It is a set-up from the anti Israel forces gaining ground around the world. Once in 'final talks' Olmert's head is scheduled for the vice. (I am curious what is inside there, besides his gallbladder.)

NO MATER HOW MANY TIMES THE MORONS LIKE JOHNBOY ARE CORRECTED THEY COME BACK FOR MORE !! THE BEST CROP OF MORONS ARE FROM OZ AND EIRE .

90 YEARS LATER THIS B IDIOT IS ASKING WHY SOMEONE DIDNT WRITE SOMETHING ! SIMPLY JOHNBOY BECAUSE THE WEIZMANN WAS A GENTLE MAN AND HE MISTAKENLY BELIEVED THE ENGLISH WERE THE SAME ! THE PROOF IS IN PERFORMANCE AND THE BRITISH OCCUPIED THE MANDATE INCLUDING TRANS JORDAN FOR 30 YEARS ON THE PREMISE IT WAS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AJESWISH COUNTRY. LIKE SO MANY CONTRACTS ITS ABOUT PERFORMANCE !! WHAT WAS THE MEANING OF ANY DOCUMENT PREPARED 90 YEARS AGO IS MOOT AS WORDS HAVE OFTEN CHANGED MEANING

"Israelis and Palestinians could begin final status talks this summer" This is absolute nonsense - pie in the sky fantasy. There hasn't been the smallest indication from Israel that its neo-colonial ambitions have ended. It is STILL salami-slicing the West Bank for Greater Israel. Israel retreated from Gaza - the landgrab too far - merely to be in a better position to hold onto all the more attractive stolen real estate of the West Bank. The war criminal Ariel Sharon himself aasured the Israeli people of this. There isn't the smallest suggestion that it would be prepared to abandon the huge illegal settlement blocs or offer Israeli land of equal size and quality in compensation. Israel remains a colonial power. Any suggestion by it or America to the contrary is misdirection and propaganda. The land grab goes on, as it always has. Israel remains a train wreck yet to happen.

KNOWS IT !! THAT IS WEHY HE IS SO EAGER FOR THE NONSENSE POEACE WITH TERRORISM !!

Accepting difference is hard and we are different in many aspects. Thus, I would never convert regardless how my life would be easier. For these sad photos and those who hold them: think how you are special. How many misery on the Globe and no single hand to hold their pictures. Until one Muslim exist those who suffer will be remembered. Muslim and teacher up to last my day

dream on. All your wishful fantasies. Your Suicide "martyrs" achived nothing. Your future is dark. your leaders misled you, cheated you and stole from you. You have nothing to live for and you did it all yourselves.One day your grandchildren will read about your lost "civilization" now go and put that in your pipe and smoke it.

You talk of anti semites yet you sound like a man who dislikes Arabs and moslems.But i could be wrong.By the way Are the aboriginal people of NZ building walls to keep you out.Or is it an open society.I dont know much about your country their kiwi,but are most of the goverment positions held by the indiginous people.Do You feel like you are treated in the same way as they would be treated if a boat load of them moved to israel?

the desert as barbarian conquerors. that is where they belong. next, arab interpretation of history denies, greek, roman, christian historical facts. why, becuase as thieves they must distort in order to try to keep what they stole. theirs is a history of stealing, killing, lieing and murder. even today they are the last imperialists. the last hanger on's from the 12th century. tell me 1 advancement they made in any field in the last 1000 years. none. potential is there but they choose not.

Instead of being a good little dhimmi newspaper and featuring a Reuters photo of Palestinians holding up pics of their jailed relatives, why don’t you show pics of the Israelis killed by their relatives?

I needed the laugh

Red Dog, the real irony is an Arab Christian worshipping a Jew. But the Arab sentiments of the 'Christian' don't surprise me at all. Instead of wanting to keep his/her messiah's capital free and open to his/her faith and others, the Christian Arab's preference is exactly like a Muslim.

I guess you have an Arab boyfriend Sara either that or you are just a plain old ignorant antisemite. Jerusalem was never a Palestinian capital and a mosque doesnt make them the owners. It was built by a Jew and it belongs to Jews, who are by the way the only ones really willing to respect and share it with their brother religions. The refugees are most welcome to return home to PALESTINE, the part that isnt Israel. That is the point of a 'two state' solution after all, which I remind you that the world endorsed in 1947. All the Russian and European Jews and the ones from Arab states originally came from the ME ( Hence the term 'semite') THere are a dozen Islamic states in the ME and they are just to mean and nasty to accept that Abraham's descendants first and foremost are the Jews. You Sara have no right to comment.

She's bringing her tasty hilal soul-food cookies and bags full of cash and guns for brave jihad warriors. Israel will agree to return to pre-1947 borders and allow Dimona to be converted into a Mosque/dirty bomb factory. A special appearance by Forest Gump Bush walking hand-in-hand with the Saudi King will highlight the event where a solid-gold toilet will be presented to your PM for his patient understanding and appeasement.Jimuh Carter will fly in with the mullahs of Iran where an atomic-powered construction crane will be presented for use in public hangings of troublesome children. Restrooms will be clearly marked with a large cross on their roofs. Osama will appear to accept the nobel prize from Norway for suffering while hiding-out from the evil US forces in his luxury Condo in Riyadh. Don't miss this very special and exciting once-in-a-lifetime event!

How is it possible that Olmert et al should attempt this great leap from nothing to something? Not credible. Just spin to keep the world off his tail. (Long to be proven wrong...)

why do people spout this kind of nonsense? Abbas and Olmert are simply waiting to be thrown out and Hamas is the same old Hamas. There is no 'peace process' on the horizon.

national: of, pertaining to, or maintained by a nation as an organized whole or independent political unit Johnboy says, “If it was meant to say that then why didn’t Balfour write "all of Palestine"? Perhaps for the same reason that the UN didn’t say that Israel should return “all of the territories” following the 1967 war, eh?

alan, I'm a gal but your error was worth the laugh.

FD: "After reneging on their oath to establish a Jewish national homeland in ALL of Palestine " I note with interest that you added a couple of new words to the Balfour Declaration i.e. "ALL of". Does rather change the meaning. FD: "perfidious Brits handed 78% of the Mandate to the Palestinian Arabs under the Hashemite King Abdullah" They had promised the Hashemites a kingdom, just as they had promised the Jews "a national home in Palestine". They attempted to fulfill both promises, but I guess one group was just never going to be satisfied, were they? Why, exactly, does "national home" = nation? If it was meant to say that then why didn't Balfour write "nation"? Why, exactly, does "in Palestine" = ALL of Palestine? If it was meant to say that then why didn't Balfour write "all of Palestine"?

It’s called Jordan. After reneging on their oath to establish a Jewish national homeland in ALL of Palestine (adopted by the League of Nations and grandfathered across to the UN) and “close Jewish settlement of the land”, the perfidious Brits handed 78% of the Mandate to the Palestinian Arabs under the Hashemite King Abdullah. Now the barbarians want the remaining 22%. And antisemitic imbeciles like Paulo and Sara (learn how to spell “Israel”) say ole’!

I wonder why that could be?

If Olmert wants to discuss with the Palestinians about a Palestinian state without the subject East-Jerusalem, than the Palestinians should simply refuse such 'talks'. If Israel wants to live in peace with its neighbors, it has to show that it is a real partner. The world has witnessed enough hollow promises and all sorts of 'talks' from Israel. Israel has to be judged by deeds. No deeds mean: no genuine and honest peace partner.

You're right that the Palestinians elected a president who supports a two-state solution. But unfortunately also Hamas to parliament whose charter calls for destroying Israel and replacing with an Islamic theocracy. Though they may or may not be softening. In any case, many of the refugees are descended from people who (in a war where Israel did not begin the hostilities) fled what is now Israel, and (unlike the West Bank and Gaza) recognized as such by the UN and the world community. The idea of them returning to Israel would, by demographics, eliminate a Jewish state and effectively contradict the two-state solution that is the world's consensus. An idea rejected even by far-Left Israelis like Uri Avnery and the Meretz party. But if Christian in Gaza and you are in fact saying that, like the Arab Peace Initiative calls for, there must be a just and agreed solution to the refugee issue, it's hard to disagree with you.

The Palestinians accept the two-state solution PLUS THE RIGHT OF RETURN whose purpose is to put an end to the Jewish-majority Israel by flooding it with Palestinians. Get it? Or is that too deep for you? Shabbat Shalom!

"You are assuming that the Palestinians are accepting a Palestinian state and a Jewish-Israeli state. That is incorrect" - Sam the Palestinians voted overwhelmingly for a PA president that campaigned on a peace platform, for a two-state solution. It is the Palestinian president that determines peace negotiations and the Palestinian people have voted for a man who talks of two states living together along the 1967 borders. "If you dont believe that go ask the Arabs" - Does the Arab plan mean anything to you, it sets out the criteria under which a Palestinian and Israeli state can live together. "You are nothing more than suckers for their propoganda" - Sam you truly are a fool, look at the Jewish lobby within your own state before accusing others of propaganda. Your views are a product of this as they quite clearly arent grounded on a factual basis.

While interbreeding might be anathema to you, the existence of Israelis or mixed descent allows a majority of native-born Israelis to be descended from Mizrahi Jews who were ethnically cleansed from Arab lands and another majority to be descended from Ashkenazi Jews who fled for their lives from Europe. ("brought over" as you say). It is not feasible to try to return everyone in the world to the land their ancestors fled from but rather to any place they can instead live with opportunity. I assume this is why you yourself think it was better for Jews last century to flee to Western countries rather than their historic home of Palestine. I agree with you that those who couldn't ended up in Palestine. Not the Palestinians' fault but not the Jewish refugees fault either. Their children, grandchildren, great grandchildren are already natives. *Herzel wanted to lure Arabs to neighboring lands using economics not violence & not out of racism; he thought Jewish survival necessitated it

Did anyone take a look at that picture on the front page? Five idf soldiers tearing apart a fence protester, thats outrageous, just imagine he was a settler and pick him up and take him away, no need for the blood.

If Ms Rice thinks that the Palis need a political horizon, she should send them pictures of Auschwitz because this is the real horizon they are looking for. Once again, the US are pressing Israel to surrender to Arabs and once again, a weak Israeli leadership will accept to dismantle Israel piece by piece.

The game is over.Best get used to it,so that we are all spared a bloody summer.That guy Smadar got it right when he said we can all go back to whatever we are doing,instead of witnessing a disastrous confrontation. No question of "allowing" it.There is no alternative.

When the racist Austrian Jew,Theodor Herzel,wrote his The Jewish State(1896)he called for the extermination of the indigenous population,to establish a Zionist state.Many places were considered,Kenya,some island,Turkey etc.The final solution fell on Palestine and the rest is history.The present Jews of modern Israel were brought from Europe,north Africa and Russia,where Israel ignored the Geneva Convention of not transferring civilian populations to Occupied Territory.Russian jews were brought in this manner.Isreali leaders thought of the demographics of the situation where Palestinians were numerically greater.Further,most Jews from world war II preferred to go to other countries than historic Palestine.Those who did come to Palestine had been refused in the Western countries.A small number went to Britain,some to the U.S.

anything else is a waist of time

You are assuming that the Palestinians are accepting a Palestinian state and a Jewish- Israeli state. That is incorrect. The Arabs for now are accepting nothing more than allowing Jews to remain in the mideast as individuals. If you don't believe that go ask the Arabs. You are nothing more than suckers for their propoganda.

For a disciple of Jesus Christ, you sure seem to like dangling the prospect of war if all your demands are not met. Even ones you know Israel cannot meet. Peace means both sides coming to the table and making an honest effort to bridge their differences with concern for all people in the region. As you should know, hundreds of thousands of Jews fled or were driven out of Arab lands too, including out of places like Hebron where Jews had lived uninterrupted for centuries. Over half of Israel's population is descended from these refugees from Arab lands. Instead of trying the impossible task of undo-ing every sin of the past, we should focus on the more realistic goal: finding common ground and preventing such mistakes in the present and future.

1 Pals get state the size of 1967 territory, Which includes Arab area currently in Israel, and Israel keeps some settlements. 2 Arab countries take care of Arab refugees and Israel drops all claims for Jewish refugees.

There will be a Civil War or rebellion if this is ever done. The Jewish people will never stand for it.

I will assure all these EU Activist flooding the talkback that the Israel and the Jewish people will never allow this to happen.

2nd, Israel states that it's possible this summer to establish final status talks....again, good news today. Thanks Haaretz...I'll be in a greater mood preparing Shabbat dinner.

The Palestinians are calling for right of return to historic Palestine from where they were kicked out by Israel.Too bad if Olmert and you have no "objections" to their returning to the Palestinian side,but the Palestinians want what they are entitled to. They might negotiate a couple of things but no way anything else. As for Paulo understaning English he certainly does know it and Israel's games too.

and heres why Saudi Plan was BAD! www.whysaudiplanwrong.info

1.Withdrawal to pre 67 line. 2.East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine. 3.Negotiated settlement of the refugee question. It is absurd to think that the Palestinians need tutoring from Israel on the structure and functioning of their state.The 'political horizon' mentioned by Rice is simply a delaying tactic,while Israel continues expanding its settlements and continues its daily violence in the Occupied Territories. Hope Abbas knows what he is doing.In any case the Hamas component of the Unity Government certainly know what they are doing and will keep a close watch on our man Abbas.

Clearly, the intention is to continue with the settlement construction and delay any serious resolution of the final status questions. Mr.Olmert, a reminder: 1.Israel withdraw to the pre '67 line 2.East Jerusalem as the Palestinian capital.Since 688 A.D. and the building of the Dome of the Rock Islamic dominance over the entire region has existed.The Palestinians are not going to waffle on East J. 3. The refugee question has been presented by the Arab intitiative as any "just and fair settlement."The Arabs had made it clear that Israel had to first agree to the initiative before any negotations could begin. Abbas was present both at Mecca and Riyadh and it is not clear what exactly he is upto.We''ll have to wait and see.

The region had seen enough road maps, political horizons, unimplemented peace agreements, defunct peace proposals and is ready to tacle the real issues. Dancing around the subject, meeting for the sake of photo ops and entering an endless maze of negotions is a recipe for a bloody horizon.

Olmert is playing his old tricks all over again.Let the final status talks begin.Nothing less.Quit stalling.

And before spewing your standard pal venom against Israel,remember the 9'th Commandment : Thou shall not bear false witness.

If this is all Sam has to say it isn't much and he implies that it is Israel who has always been ready and the Palestinians not willing.And unless the 3 final status issues are resolved nothing is going to daychange.Those are the core issues and Amr Moussa reiterated the other day that these are the core issues and there would be no meeting with Olmert as had been requested. Discussing the 'political horizon'?The Palestinians don't need Israel to tell them what their state structures will be.What they want is for Israel to first get out of their land.

Even it is hard to speak with Olmert after all- it is enough just read these boards- I would advice you to talk. At least, you will exchange opinions. You are well ?educated and you should behave in that manner. Ignoring is on peasant level. He wants speak of Iran too. They are very afraid because death is all around them and they do not have Muslim pragmatism on destiny.

From April 13, 2007 to and including: Yom Kippur October 9, 2008 is 546 days. President Bush wanted to announce his 'vision' of a Roadmap to Peace, rejecting Psalm 105: 7-11 on June 18, 2002. However a bus bombing in Jerusalem, killing 19 made him cancel his 'vision' till 6-19-2002. That day another smaller attack made him announce it on June 24, 2002! Extend that day out 2300 days and we will see the fulfillment of Daniel 8:13-14! Then the Messiah will cleanse the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacobs INHERITANCE. From June 24, 2002 to January 4, 2006 is 1290 days,(Daniel 12:11) the 'continual', born in Israel February 27, 1928 has been in a comatose state over 15 months. I believe he fulfilled the 1290 day prophecy and God postponed President Bush's planned 6-18-02 announcement so the "appointed time" Yom Kippur, 10-9-08, would fulfill Daniel's 2300 day prophecy. The 'vision' is true, Habakkuk 2:2-3, run with it.

Israel needs to get out of Palestine in order to have peace. Soon or later it will happened. Israel now has the choice to get out with peace and coexistence. If they keep on milking the clock, they will be forced out and be isolated. Time is not and will never be on Israel's side.

Like everything other facet of Israelis dealing with Palestinians, Israel expects to dictate the terms of all internal Palestinian governmental structures. I don't know why Israelis are arrogant enough to believe that the Palestinian state will be entirely organized and planned by Israel, but every time they're reminded that they can't dictate everything they get upset and cancel further 'talks.' The Palestinian state's internal structure is an internal matter for Palestinians. It will not be dictated according to the wishes and convenience of Israel.

they are both totally failed leaders and should resign and salvage a degree of self respect because when they are thrown out they will leave with none ! It is pointless to read or listen to what either of them have to say because neither of them could get anything major enacted by their respective governments.

When Palestinians speak of right of return, they mean into Israel. Israel doesn't have a problem with Palestinians returning to the proposed Palestinian state in the territories. Do you understand English Paulo? THE PROPOSED PALESTINIAN STATE IN THE TERRITORIES. On what planet have you been living?

IF I WERE P. ABBASS I WOULD TURN THIS MIMIC CALLED OLMERT TO HAMAS TO DEAL WITH HIM THE WAY HE DESERVES TO BE HANDLED. NO THING GOOD COMES OUT OF THIS POLITICAL PYGMY

I can assure you that Olmert will be cast aside.. before more land is given away. The G-d of Israel will "not" allow the insanity to continue. Mr. Sharon, disobeyed G-d and you see the tragic result of his actions, Ehud Barak saw the result of it, the other Israeli PM's who gave away land saw the results of their disobedience against G-d. "Wake up" Israel, it is not your land to give away. I predict that a war will soon break out with Hezboblob, the Pals and Syria, resulting in the Olmert house of cards falling and the "Land for peace" insanity being taken off the table once and for all... Olmert will fade into history, never to be heard from again.

"Jews keep hoping and expecting to hear something different" - Yes they expect the Palestinians to cross the Jordan and head east. That is the 'peace' Israel wants and its not going to get it! "5 million Palestinians going to Israel" - He never said this you said it. He spoke of a right of return for Palestinians, this is also the basic demand of the international community and its many UN resolutions. This demand is not a Palestinian thing! Need I also remind you that there are NOT 5 million Palestinians waiting to return to Israel, the vast majority of those outside are in fact are wanting to return to the Palestinian territories. ""If this is representative of Palestinian opinion really nothing has changed" - Hello! Israel is the occupying force here, what are Israel's plans for an independent and sovereign Palestinian state? It has none and you criticise the other for not wanting peace! How frustrating for you to have such a feeble brain.

Have you read the other article again?? No? Too much rose, I say.

So Olmert's not prepared to talk about anything worth talking about. He's only prepared ro talk about what a theoretical Pal state might theoretically look like, perhaps, possibly maybe. What a complete joke. If he and Rice serioulsy think the Pal population is going to get excited about that crumb from the table, they can forget it. that's not progress, it's just a sham.

REAL PEACE to 'Christian in Gaza' means 5 million Palestinians going to Israel and the utter destruction of the settlements. Jews keep hoping and expecting and assuming to hear something different but if this is representative of Palestinian opinion really nothing has changed. So, why is Olmert getting ready to talk about statehood issues?

With great help from his hypocritical wife and kids (all leftist defeatist moonbats) who support Arab terrorism but would never in a million years live on the same street as an Arab (or Mizrahi Jew for that matter), Olmert is ready to reward the Arabs with a new terror state.

Every time Mahmoud Abbas, Saeb Urikat and Yaser Abed Rabou meet with Mr. Olmert & Company, non of the important issues such as borders, final status or Jerusalem are on the agenda. Perhaps it is the falafel and the houmous is on the agenda, and whether these food items are Jewish or Arab or Russian. So much for these stupid meetings.

The Shalit affair is very secondary..Israel is only trying to deceive the Palestinians into thinking that releasing the Jewish terrorist would faciliate a political settlement ...this is a cardina lie.

we need real peace, and real peace means the return of 5 million refugees and the utter destruction of all Jewish settlements built since `967...without this, there will be no peace even if Abbas signed a million agreements with this mendacious Olmert. In any case, we Palestinians have nothing to lose, we already have lost our homeland...and we are not about to give the theft a window dressing of legitimacy..Never, never, ever.

And as long as settlement construction advances as usual, and imprisonment of Palestinians in enclaves is progressively tightened, the above declaration of PMO office can be nothing except empty public relations exercises. heard them before, they mean absolutely nothing.

Olmert is meeting a man that has forged a political alliance with Hamas - I wonder what a year from now will bring.