Time for Israel to take risks for peace

Oslo and the disengagement brought only war!!!

How is so? Better solutions might exist, but you haven't proven there is no military solution. It's just an empty claim.

The discontinuation of the building of Settlements is not even a "risk" to Israel's security but it would convince the world and the Palestinians and the other Arabs and Muslims that Israel is serious with regard to reaching a settlement based on the notion of lands for Peace. So why not do that? Unless that really isn't the idea or goal.

BS. Have you looked at the results that Isreal'e Risk Taking has already yielded? Why don't you look up Albert Einstein's comment: Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result------------

The PA is weak and appears on the brink of collapse. In light of the changes in the region and the results of Pillar of Defense, the US and Israel should face facts and recognize that Hamas is not going away. However, both countries can still work to limit Hamas' influence. The US and Israel could undermine Hamas and bolster the PA by supporting Abbas' UN bid. As it stands, Hamas' position of strength vis-a-vis the PA means they have no reason to seek reconciliation with the PA/Fatah. If trends continue, Abbas and the current PA will collapse and Hamas will be the defacto Palestinian government. The best hope to save the PA is to provide them the boost that would allow them to negotiate with Hamas in forming a unity government. UN recognition would provide the necessary boost to the PA and would preserve a fair degree of moderation in a unified Palestinian Authority. However repulsive, the US and Israel need to recognize the new dynamics and players in the region. The sooner they do so, the better they will be able to adjust.

Well, Israel has already taken lots of risks for peace: 1. Oslo accords and quitting large population centres. 2. Leaving Gaza. 3. Leaving South Lebanon. 4. Handing over more West Bank towns. AND what did they get ? ROCKETS, MORTARS and KIDNAPPINGS. As a matter of fact I too think Israel should take more risks for peace, but at least recognize the considerable risks they already took.

you make many assumptions. im not so sure that military means will not wear down the enemy at some point. maybe we will never get a 100% of what we deserve, but we might get a big chunk if we are brave. we will live in peace with these people, but why not maximize our position? the arabs show NO sign of giving up one inch of their demands, but you are ready to takes RISKS for peace.

My subject sums up my comment

Watch Jordan ! once it falls then war will come.

"Israel must take risks for peace" does not translate to Israel must be forced into positions of disadvantage when there is not a chance of a snowball in Hades that Abbas' UN strategy will help move anything toward peace as he has no ability to offer Israel any guarantee of peace. Hamas mocks Abbas, Israel and any peace deal. Mr Alexander's essay is a mess ad a disjointed failure to demonstrate any possible linkage between a peaceful solution to the conflict and his support for the UN stratagem.

What an extremely vague op-ed piece. I wish the writer spent more time expounding on how the recognition of Palestinians' "enhanced status" will do anything to move us beyond this stalemate of Hamas rule in Gaza and Israeli air campaigns every 4-5 years to "cut the grass."