Netanyahu amenable to Palestinian state within temporary borders

"That is a vile and despicable thing to imply" Uh? Rabin was murdered for not complying with the wishes of those who support Israel's 62 year olde expansionist policies. Has anything changed? The policies haven't.

Netanyahu should be bold enough to stand up to Obama to emphazise to the American: He is invading Israel's space. And in your better way:"you are invading my space.you do not have power over the israeli electorate.you may give us advice but we do not accept your dictat" Israel is sovereign and not a banana republic.

means temporary borders for you. An arrangement that suits the neighbor demanding this condition more than it suits the neighbor who is offered this as the only condition for being allowed to be your neighbor at all, of course. Netanyahu's proposition would be a joke if he had a sense of humor.

No army, no control over air space, no control over electronic spectrum, no control over borders ! And temporary borders!

Why bother. The answer is obvious to any unbiased observer. 1} 1967 borders 2} Compensation to refugees from UN countries that allowed the creation of Israel on somebody elses land. Israel should not have to pay for this 3} Jerusalem - this is the contentious issue {not counting natural resources}. Three possibilities. Divided, internationalised { Open city under UN control, with UN headquartered there, make it the center of the world or last. it could be swapped for land e.g. corridor between West Bank and Gaza

"Logios Shamir was PM twice.Or have you got the dates WRONG?" - Ahmad Cohen "Israelis are no dummies, and realized the disaster that Shamir was taking them into. In the 1992 election, they replaced Shamir with Rabin." - Logios Ya Mr. Cohen, I am trying to look at some logical issue that disturbs your peace. The only one I can come up with is that you may believe that there is some term limit on Israeli Prime Ministers, as on US Presidents, 2 terms max. Well, no, there isn't such a thing. So if Shamir ran in 1992 for the third time, it doesn't mean that there is any mistake here. Incidentally, if in doubt, you can consult any resource on the web and get the true facts to your full satisfaction.

"Logios Shamir was PM twice.Or have you got the dates WRONG?" - Ahmad Cohen "Israelis are no dummies, and realized the disaster that Shamir was taking them into. In the 1992 election, they replaced Shamir with Rabin." - Logios Ya Mr. Cohen, I am trying to look at some logical issue that disturbs your peace. The only one I can come up with is that you may believe that there is some term limit on Israeli Prime Ministers, as on US Presidents, 2 terms max. Well, no, there isn't such a thing. So if Shamir ran in 1992 for the third time, it doesn't mean that there is any mistake here. Incidentally, if in doubt, you can consult any resource on the web and get the true facts to your full satisfaction.

Incitement is well below Israeli settler levels in the West Bank and violence is already well below Israeli levels in the West Bank and Gaza, too. Actual sovereignty for Gaza would include giving up on shooting anybody Israel can see from the border.

The Benn analysis confirms that nothing, substantively has changed: 1.Netanyahu is 'for' an ephemeral Palestinian state in the 'future' that has 'temporary', and ill defined borders. Jerusalem will never be discussed. 2.The Palestinians will never agree to go along with this charade, and rightfully so. 3.The US government still lacks the will, the stomach, or the political clout to overcome the Jewish pressure groups and their allies in Congress. 4.Absent any progress towards reaching a satisfactory agreement, the s--t will sooner or later hit the fan, and all parties to the fiasco will duck for cover, blaming evryone else but themselves. One way out of the morass is to bring each and every Congreessman and woman to Gaza to live there for a month. That will take care of business in a jiffy.

To say that maybe Netanyahu knows he'd end up like Rabin!?! This CJ is getting on many peoples nerves,I did ask him whether he was an Arab,a Christian,or what? Typical of some from Oz...We know the decent ones,but also the others of CJ's ilk. I would like to be near you,given the chance when you tap him on the head.(I'd even join the fray. Peace to you too S

They aren't Jordanian. It's time to stop the bickering and to start looking at the possibilities. They could become Israeli citizens. One reason to have the residents recognize the Jewish nature of Israel could be to allow this to happen. Citizenship, even with this caveat, could allow residence for everyone anywhere in Israel. True that it could also be used to restrict the movement of non-Jewish and therefore this restriction must be prohibited. Compensation for the refugees encamped and/or registered throughout the Arab world and beyond will not be forth-coming without a voice in the Israeli government. Therefore this Jewish nature of Israel must not restrict access to any public office or curtail suffrage. All citizens must have equal rights. But let's discuss the possible outcomes of the various options rather than wallow in the mire of fear and hatred.

territorial concessions based on the 1967 borders, with exchanges of territory elsewhere to make up the difference Israel would retain for areas around Jerusalem. These negotiations went on with cordial meetings in the region. And on the issue of Jerusalem, once again, PM Olmert suggested to leave it for the end of the settlement agreement and to agree to what was achieved up to then in 2008. Apparently, Pres. Abbas didn't really respond to the proposal. In effect, we're somewhat at the same interval with the current PM Netanyahu proposal of the temporary borders for a Palestinian state. I think that the Palestinians are resisting peace at the moment by not coming to the negotiation table. It's been 16 months since last dialogue about the conflict and this is a disservice to the people of the region.

That most of us have known for eons. That you put it all in your response clearly is for many to understand,that maybe, just,maybe to stop and think and ponder awhile.

President Abbas can show that he has power over his own forces if they can build and secure a sufficient prison to house and keep indefinitely terrorists there in a humane but totally secure facility. Statehood requires the ability to govern and surely that is the crying need of the Simeonites there.

On the threat at the time by Baker and papa Bush? That was during the time Israel was receiving the russian imigrants? Well old boy,THAT WAS THEN,this is NOW. Great difference.Israel has nothing like at that time to worry about don't you know!

...according to international law, you must absorb all of its inhabitants as citizens of the conquering nation... What law is this ? can you please give any reference. Will Iraqis become US citizens, what about Afghanistan ?

One state for both jews and Pales. with no obligations or conditions to each other. Two states based on June 4th.1967 borders without any settlements or settlers Plus the right of return A pure jewish state based on partition resolution (49% Palestine and 50% Israel) Any of the above is acceptable by the Palestinian. But the question is Which of the above could be the preference to Israel?

according to rana, a genuine representative of the "islamic world," they will not like temporary borders, "especially in iraq, afghanistan and pakistan." rana, let me spell it out for you: no one cares one litle bit what the failed states of iraq, afghanistan and pakistan think. they are busy with murdering each other, with power grabs, with corruption, with suppression of women, with unemployment, with just making it to the next day.

well, you can always make theoretical constructs out of thin air. it makes no differences. you ar just an old imperialists.

C.J. "Netinyahu is not thinking, he knows what happened to Rabin." That is a vile and despicable thing to imply. You clearly either have the heart of a snake or the head of a stone. I'd love to tap on your head a bit to determine which one it is. Stephen

Mr. Logios, Explain to me, precisely what is the difference between temporary and permanent borders. In my study of history (which I grant you is not exhaustive) there have been no "permanent borders." Ecuador/Peru or Georgia/South Ossetia or India/Pakistan. They all will change some day. I bet Julius Caesar thought that Rome's borders were permanent. Peace. Stephen

Arthur, The problem that you have is that if you accept the West Bank as "conquered territory" then, according to international law, you must absorb all of its inhabitants as citizens of the conquering nation. You can't have it both ways i.e. We just want the land. The people are extraneous baggage/refuse/disgardable. Looks like you are trying to sneak out the back with the goods. Tsk, tsk Peace. Stephen

Mr. Reader, It is supercilious to say that a border at the Jordan has Merit. You cannot say that all of the Judean/Samarian Arabs must move to Jordan any more than you can send them to Pakistan or Denmark. The Jordanians and not the Israelis or Palestinians have sovereignty over their own immigration. I have heard the argument so often that Jordan, Egypt and Syria should take in all of the Palestinian Arabs but nobody ever ask the Jordanian/Syrian/Egyptian government and I haven't heard a peep out of them so until one of them volunteers they are staying right where they are barring some catastrophic natural or military disaster. To suggest the Jordan as a border without recognizing the issue of their current residence is just mean spirited. Peace. Stephen

This Utopian project has a zero chance of success. The Palestinian society has not evolved sufficiently to have a state and Palestinians have no institutions, infrastructure or a tradition for self management, the essential things that precede creation of a state. All their leaders are corrupt to the core and have pocketed and mismanaged all the money that had been given to them as donations over the years. The young generation, via a brilliantly constructed educational curriculum conceptualized by their national hero and the Nobel Prize Laureate, Dr. Arafat, squarely blames all their problems on Israel and the Jews and glorifies killers of women and children for whom they name their public places. Most Palestinians dream of a time when they can share in the benefits of the one state they want - Israel. They do not want a state of their own and could not care less about any temporary borders.

Tell me something I don't know? Are you the "wizard of oz"? Or am I?

N+O= NO,No quite correct. I for one hope you are right. So should Netantahu understand it too. And never deviated from it. Or else...he'll regret it for SURE.

After all, they're just temporary. They could be anywhere. Both of these have merit.

Mr. Rubinstein, Perhaps because I have never been to Israel, I am not familiar the the feelings of distances or the lack thereof, I am completely baffled by people that are afraid of a single state including all of the Arabs in Judea and Samaria but are equally afraid of a separate Palestinian state. Some people obviously want the Palestinians to disappear with the wave of a wand or wishing on a star but most recognize the futility of that. I have no idea what these people might have in mind or perhaps just the normal fear accompanying a choice of evils. Peace. Stephen

Borders is a core issue. Let's talk about where these "temporary" borders are to be.

Without American Pressure on Israel, little will move in the direction of peace. The Obama administration should learn the lesson of the Papa Bush administration and apply some serious pressure on the Netanyahu government. The Likud government at the time, headed by Shamir, was hard line. Secretary of State Jim Baker announced in 1990 that when Israel is interested in peace, she should call the White House telephone number (and publicly gave out the number). In 1991, Israel was facing a flood of Aliya from the former Soviet Union. She asked the US for loan guarantees to absorb the immigrants. Bush refused. When AIPAC tried to get Congress to approve the loan guarantee anyhow, Papa Bush came out and complained publicly about the armies of lobbyists employed. AIPAC realized this would anatagonize the American people and gave up the battle. In addition, Bush started voting for some "unpleasant" Security Council resolutions. Israelis are no dummies, and realized the disaster that Shamir was taking them into. In the 1992 election, they replaced Shamir with Rabin. Obama should do the same with Netanyahu. Get rid of the disaster by discrediting him and his policies in the eyes of Israelis. Example: Allowing the Security Council to condemn Israel for building in Jerusalem will be an unmistakable signal.

must step in and together with Likud and Labor,a large majority make the painful but necessary choices and help the transition to peace in the ME.

The "temporqary" tends to become permanent in this conflict, and the Palestinians, who were promised in Oslo a state by 1999, know it very well and oppose it. They are doing everybody a favor in opposing it because there is no reason for delay. The situation is bad enough and will only get worse, and all the possible solutions are known already, so why not tackle the issue? All can be resolved within a year if the parties are interested in a resolution. Netanyahu is too fearful of his party to give up any more land, so he prefers the hard choices to be made by somebody else (after he retires). But Israel will lose by the delay. We will have constant friction between the settlers and the Palestinians on the issue of settling the disputed areas and Jerusalem. In the meantime, the Palestinian state will be recognized, probably even sitting on the Security Council and generating constant trouble with the international community. Hatred towards Israel will also not cease.

No Palestinian on two feet should accept such terms.... People need to keep in mind Netanyahu's terms are that of a land thief and they have no place in determining afuture Palestinian state. A fourteen justice panel at the Hague in 2004 have already spoken and they have ruled unanimousl Israel must withdraw its forces to the 1967 Green Line and that should be Israel's border....Dutch

1) Jordan (70% of the population is Palestinian) 2) Gaza, (100% of population are Palestinian) now yet another Palestinian state (w.bank?) or part of it, Why the Palestinians need so many states , yet all the world -including most of the talkbakers on this Jewish nespaper -,OBJECT to the existance of ONE single Jewish state?

No bibi you can not mislead us. No we do not accept a state with temporary borders. After all you must not forget that you took land from us.

What would be the reason for temporary borders? Of course Israel knows the Pals will NEVER accept this.

Because what exactly is a "temporary border"? Wouldn't that be something like a temporary marriage? "Hi there pretty mama, how about you and I hooking up in a temporary marriage?" What a promising proposal for the lady; wouldn't you say? Especially coming from a guy known for cheating on every relationship he's ever had(uninterrupted investment in settlement building and infrastructure during negotiations), and for continuing these flings even when he's found out and promises to end them(unwillingness to remove outposts in compliance with the terms of agreements and court orders). I doubt if there'd be any takers. So if Bibi is serious about peace and Palestinian statehood, why not be willing to accept THE border instead of a "temporary" one? What's it going to do for the Palestinians? Not much - EXCEPT, it might lull them into believing progress is being made toward final status. And for Israel? Two things: it'll relieve the pressure from Obama and hopefully buy enough time to see him replaced as president(so Bibi and his coalition can implement their agenda without interference?) Meanwhile, them being "temporary" means that they will be subject to Israel's terms, which if not met, will nullify them and set everything back even further than it is now! And THEN, we'll be hearing the 'newest' line parrotted by the right wing talkbackers: "they had their chance for a state when...yadda-yadda"! And of course, they'll leave about the fact that its map was to have looked like slice of swiss cheese...

A Pal state in the WB is probably just as palatable to most Israelis as to me. and that is the reason, why the Pals will reject this proposal.

No good harping on it, this report has already been refuted. Regards

Amenable to a Palestinian state within temporary borders. Abbas should counter with, he'll recognize Israel as a democratic Jewish State within 1967 borders.

"The 1949 cease-fire lines were supposed to be `temporary borders." Show us where the cease fire agreements say so. "Those have acquired a pretty cast-iron legitimacy by now" A very well propagated MYTH. "I`m sure this is what Netanyahu is thinking." Netinyahu is not thinking, he knows what happened to Rabin.

Bibi has said that the answer is 'NO.' He will only talk about possibilities while he creates 'Realities on the Ground.' The answer is NO! Would more exclamation points influence you? I hope not. Only psychopaths need more than one. The Netanyahu government has only one answer to the subject of peace talks. It is NO! Got it?

" Honestly: 78% of the pie isn`t enough?" Israel has 78% of the Middle East? No. Israel has 78% of Palestine? No. Israel is in 78% of Palestine after Jordan was hacked off of it. There are 1.5 million Arabs in Israel. Meanwhile, nearly all of the rest of the Middle East was wiped clean of its Jews. Jews living freely on less than 1-tenth of 1-percent of the Middle East is too much?

what part of ''independent'' does israelis, netunyahu and his goons don't understand

"If the temporary borders allow actual sovereignty for Palestinians on their side and eliminate all, repeat ALL roadblocks for Palestinians on the Palestinian side and allow them a full border with Jordan, without Israeli delays or interference, it might just work." That's everything given by Israel. Does it get a cessation of weapons-smuggling and an end to incitement in return?

invasions.thats why its called a independent state

If the Palestinians accepted temporary borders it would be the height of foolishness. There would be nothing to prevent Israel from crossing those borders or grabbing more land especially because Israel would insist that the Palestinian "state" would not be able to defend itself against Israeli invasions. The only border that should be acceptable is the 1967 line. No more and no less.

Wasn't that how Palestinian "facts on the ground" were removed? Along with Rachel Corrie. Salaam/Shalom

Netanyahu thinks he is smart and everyone else is stupid?

The 1949 cease-fire lines were supposed to be 'temporary borders.' Those have acquired a pretty cast-iron legitimacy by now. I'm sure this is what Netanyahu is thinking. Honestly: 78% of the pie isn't enough?

So far it's a slogan. We have to see what Mitchell comes up with after talks with all parties. If the temporary borders allow actual sovereignty for Palestinians on their side and eliminate all, repeat ALL roadblocks for Palestinians on the Palestinian side and allow them a full border with Jordan, without Israeli delays or interference, it might just work. The devil is in the details.

William, Amen, too bad it couldn't have happened sooner. Hope it isn't too late already. Peace. Stephen

Re: "Facts on the ground" It is an interesting phrase isn't it? Here's the WIKIpedia definition; "Facts on the ground is a diplomatic term that means the situation in reality as opposed to in the abstract.[citation needed] It originated in discussions of the Israeli?Palestinian conflict, where it was used to refer to Israeli settlements built in the occupied West Bank, which were intended to establish permanent Israeli footholds in Palestinian territory." I think the phrase is accurate - I can't imagine a scenario where Israel will give up any of the major settlements built near or on the green line.

"BB proposes endless talk while Israel continues to build "facts on the ground" - what a surprise." This concept of "facts on the ground," is very interesting. When Jews develop communities, they are building facts on the ground. When Arabs develop communities, they aren't.

The "temporqary" tends to become permanent in this conflict, and the Palestinians, who were promised in Oslo a state by 1999, know it very well and oppose it. They are doing everybody a favor in opposing it because there is no reason for delay. The situation is bad enough and will only get worse, and all the possible solutions are known already, so why not tackle the issue? All can be resolved within a year if the parties are interested in a resolution. Netanyahu is too fearful of his party to give up any more land, so he prefers the hard choices to be made by somebody else (after he retires). But Israel will lose by the delay. We will have constant friction between the settlers and the Palestinians on the issue of settling the disputed areas and in Jerusalem. In the meantime, the Palestinian state will be recognized, probably even sitting on the Security Council and generating constant trouble with the international community. Hatred towards Israel will also not cease.

I see nothing wrong with temporary borders. As long as there are no more creating facts on the ground and those facts already existing are reversible. Seems fair enough to me.

Is Israel a temporary phenomenon that needs temporary borders with the future Palestinian state? Where is the clear straight political line of a statesman? Does Israel want peace or just a temporary peace. I suggest, if Israel is kean on and ambitious about peace, then Netanyahu has to disappear temporarily from the politcal landscape, clear the field, and return when a durable peace is finally established. Not temporarily, but rather for all eternities.

May as well negotiate real borders. A show of good faith will be required throughout this process. Weasel words are useless and only meant to obstruct meaningful progress. Let's start with Israel's declared borders.

Well said Stepehn. Just as the AustroHungarian Empires borders were temporary so can Israel which by the way has refused to date to declare any borders. So back to 1947 or even earlier if it continues to delay.

At least you have the honesty to admit that you haven't even a clue as to either the history or current events in the one tiny state which dares to call itself Jewish!

NOTEWORTHY: Mr. Natanyahu himself has denied saying such a thing. End of Story. Regards

Hello, The issue is: "Netanyahu amenable to Palestinian state within temporary borders" Your problem with the wors "Appeasment" is that you seems to have a hard time to think out of the box! All and all, words don't mean a thing - actions do!

Dearest Carol, "How would any nation feel about its borders being "temporary" ? The very idea is nonsensical." Perhaps you have not studied much history but to date, EVERY nation's borders have been temporary and they will probably continue to be. Remind me again about William Tell and the AustroHungarian Empire. Didn't its borders include Switzerland? Peace. Stephen

LeRenard, I remember where in the bible it said that the land was given to Abraham AND ALL OF HIS SEED (which clearly includes Ishmael) but I do not recall where it specified that the land was only for Jews. Perhaps you could refresh my memory. Peace. Stephen

Joe, I do not envy Mr. Netanyahu his precarious position. If he were to actually agree to a Palestinian state, even in temporary borders, he would immediately lose the right wing of his government. If he does not he may yet lose Kadima. His only option appears to make proposals and then stall against their implementation. This is nearly an ungovernable situation. Peace. Stephen

Dear Mr. Gold, There is no alternative to a Palestinian State except perhaps fenced off, isolated cantons or the "transfer" option. It is difficult to see where you will find support for that outside of the Kahana camp. Ehud Barak has said publicly that the presence of such a large non Jewish population in Israel is a threat to either the Jewish nature of the state or the democratic nature of the state. You must either "move them" or give them a state where they are. The term "move them" has some very sinister overtones. Peace. Stephen

Perhaps I am not familiar with the term preconditions. My understanding is that: 1)No "Right of Return." 2) No division of Jerusalem 3) Maintain Maaleh Adumim and several other settlements. 4) No militarization of any future Palestinian State 5)No autonomy over water rights or direct access to the Jordan River, all sound like "preconditions." Is there some other definition of preconditions of which I am unaware? Peace. Stephen

Which you have written that is the crux of the matter.We'll see won't we ha? Old books will have to be opened and read. The Palestinians have as yet much to learn. So far they have not budged an inch to their detriment I fear. Shabat Shalom

As you say and rightly/truthfully: Mr. Obama may be a smart man but Mr. Netanyahu is much smarter and knows not to fully trust this US Administration. I`m glad Mr. Netanyahu is looking out for his own, the way a President or Prime Minister should! Indeed,indeed!And let us hope he continues and not be bamboozled,on empty rhetoric. Therefore you and I agree totally.

The occupation can only last for a period of time until the Zionist State disolves. IT is in Isreal's best interest to start cooporating with Palestine as well as with the rest of the Arab world in order to maintain stablity.

Because you Observer should be in your domicile i.e In Lebanon. If I mistake me not,you are a Lebanese.

Bibi sees the writing on the wall and realizes Israel has shot itself in the foot by its continued theft of Palestinian land until there is nothing left for the Palestinians. It's clear the result is already one state, so far controlled by Israel but where millions of its legal residents are not allowed to have any voice in their lives or future. This must change, as it changed in South Africa. The time is coming, sooner than later.

BB proposes endless talk while Israel continues to build "facts on the ground" - what a surprise. I don't know how long is it going to take for Israel to evict all Palestinians from East Jerusalem and replace them with Jewish settlers, but when they have completed this project then and only then will the real peace talks start. Kennedy kept hope alive, Clinton was the hick from Hope, Bush was hopeless, but Obama has given us hope - a profile in courage - one can only hope.

I still see not good faith on the part of Israeli leadership. It is time to get on with establishing a real Palestine rather than some abortive facsimile.

Pals should not agree to this. The word interim means permanent. Israel will find an excuse to renege on any deal.

And where that imaginable state will be situated , and for how long ? Speak clearly Mr. Prime Minister ! Who refuses to talk on a final settlement ; you or them ? and why delaying talks on Jerusalem ! Mr . Prime Minister , We are facing a blind wall !

This Utopian project has a zero chance of success. The Palestinian society has not evolved sufficiently to have a state and Palestinians have no institutions, infrastructure or a tradition for self management, the essential things that precede creation of a state. All their leaders are corrupt to the core and have pocketed and mismanaged all the money that had been given to them as donations over the years. The young generation, via a brilliantly constructed educational curriculum conceptualized by their national hero and the Nobel Prize Laureate, Dr. Arafat, squarely blames all their problems on Israel and the Jews and glorifies killers of women and children for whom they name their public places. Most Palestinians dream of a time when they can share in the benefits of the one state they want - Israel. They do not want a state of their own and could not care less about any temporary borders.

Why the need for temporary? If Israel keeps using these deceptions continually then maybe Israel itself is 'temporary.' Salaam/Shalom

This Utopian project has a zero chance of success. The Palestinian society has not evolved sufficiently to have a state and they Palestinians no institutions, infrastructure or a tradition for self management, the essential things that precede creation of a state. All their leaders are corrupt to the core and have pocketed and mismanaged all the money that had been given to them as donations over the years. The young generation, via a brilliantly constructed educational conceptualized by their national hero and the Nobel Prize Laureate, Dr. Arafat, squarely blames all their problems on Israel and the Jews and glorifies killers of women and children for whom they name their public places. Most Palestinians dream of a time when they can share in the benefits of the one state they want - Israel. They do not want a state of their own and could not care less about any temporary borders.

With no open corridors between? With Settler bullets or chainsaws? With isolated cities and villages? Israel no longer "responsible" for welfare of occupied people? And the Jordan valley as part of Israel, leaving Palestine with no external border? Forget Temporary!

... and that is what Obama is realy seeking... conciliation does not have the negative undertones that 'appeasement' has...

Netanyahu: You go start a war with Iran which will last a hundred years, and I will improvise "temporary borders" for Palestine which will last 15 minutes. You go first.

How is it different from Oslo 1993? Temporary borders, no final agreements, the main issues of contention are set aside ... we have all seen that may play out. Terrorism will come back, and number of settlements will double. Serves no one but the extremists ... No temporary arrangement will work. Everyone who understands the problems have a fairly good idea of how the future borders will play out. Barack knows it, Barak knows it, Netyanhu knows it, Abbas knows it, UN knows it. The main issues, however, are Jerusalem, refugees, access to water, and details of the implementation plans. Leaving those aside for now only means kicking the can down the road ... It is a non-starter!

...never heard of temporary borders..there's been temp borders for 40 something years... Final Status talks is the only way to go... And, Comprehensive peace--treaties with Syrian, Lebaon and the Palestinians.... WHY? WHY? WHY? USA national security is at risk..

Not sure whether you're being sarcastic number 30?! But guess that you're not Michelle, number 13. PLEASE realise that there are other ways to read/understand the Bible than that which you appear to be espousing. "Christian Zionism" has about as much to do with following Jesus as has sellotape. (nothing!) Peace

They are so Temporary, they were built this morning and dismantled this afternoon.

jewish settlers can have 1 year to decide whether to move back to Israel OR to accept Palestinian citizenship.

One thing is clear. It is a non-starter to believe that Israel will move back to to the fragile 1949-67 armistice line. The world and the Palestinians have to get used to it.

his talks with obama implicity grant the american president overwhelming influence over israel. an isreali leader should tell obama "you are invading my space.you do not have power over the israeli electorate.you may give us advice but we do not accept your dictat."

Temporary for them also means temporary for us, of course. That plays right into the hands of those who cannot accept borders for themselves and reserve the right to invade and occupy where and whenever they choose. That happens to be us too. Jerusalem first, borders straight after that. There's no other way to conduct negotiations now. Shabbat shalom.

**How about establishing the "temporary" Palestinian state within the 67 borders and negotiate final borders later. Of course Israel has no intention of returning to the 67 borders (never mind 48), and has no intention of giving up illegal settlements, so why not set up a "temporary" quasi state in tiny non-contiguous parts of Palestine? That might take the pressure off to negotiate a real 2 state solution for the next 4 or 20 decades. Come on now. The Pals will never fall in this trap.** --- We are the First Nation in Eretz Israel. Like the native Algerians if you want. Your ASStinians are the French invaders, or Arab invaders to Spain and southern France. Israel was reserved by the Almighty since times immemorial to His/Her Chosen People. What do your Native and Aboriginal First Nations think of your plan, O brent?

The "temporqary" tends to become permanent in this conflict, and the Palestinians, who were promised in Oslo a state by 1999, know it very well and oppose it. They are doing everybody a favor in opposing it because there is no reason for delay. The situation is bad enough and will only get worse, and all the possible solutions are known already, so why not tackle the issue? All can be resolved within a year if the parties are interested in a resolution. Netanyahu is too fearful of his party to give up any more land, so he prefers the hard choices to be made by somebody else (after he retires). But Israel will lose by the delay. We will have constant friction between the settlers and the Palestinians on the issue of settling the disputed areas and in Jerusalem.. In the meantime, the Palestinian state will be recognized, probably even sitting on the Security Council and generating constant trouble with the international community. Hatred towards Israel will also not cease.

You made it clear on your post ! "Temporary borders" is just the invitation ! For how long the palestinians will stay in what is 'temporary' ?! That depends on how many will lose their lives !

The "temporqary" tends to become permanent in this conflict, and the Palestinians, who were promised in Oslo a state by 1999, know it very well and oppose it. They are doing everybody a favor in opposing it because there is no reason for delay. The situation is bad enough and will only get worse, and all the possible solutions are known already, so why not tackle the issue? All can be resolved within a year if the parties are interested in a resolution. Netanyahu is too fearful of his party to give up any more land, so he prefers the hard choices to be made by somebody else (after he retires). But Israel will lose by the delay. We will have constant friction between the settlers and the Palestinians on the issue of settling the disputed areas and in Jerusalem.. In the meantime, the Palestinian state will be recognized, probably even sitting on the Security Council and generating constant trouble with the international community. Hatred towards Israel will also not cease.

Untrue Prime minister office feny the vlaim!

If Israel had kept any of its previous commitments perhaps temporary borders would be a start, but given Israel's history of not abiding by any of its previous agreements, what can possibly be gained by more talks as long as Israel continues to steal more land. Israel thus far has been unwilling to even dismantle illegal outposts that violate Oslo, so to expect it to actually dismantle the illegal settlement needed for a legitimate Palestinian state is absurd at best. Netanyahu is barley in control of Israel proper, so I seriously doubt he will be able to even clear out the amount of illegal settlers needed to make a Palestinian state even viable.

Mark, in the Jewish mind, the word appeasement is indelibly linked with the name Neville Chamberlain. Get the picture? The Latin pax contained within it slumbers there unnoticed.

This would be ruinous for the Palestinians and they know it. Israel would lose all its obligations as occupying power, without having to give up the land. And what would the "state" live off? Ariel sits on top of their water. Most of the good agricultural land is close to the green line or in the Jordan valley. Also - the hidden detail : Half the land in east jerusalem is owned by West Bankers. The existence of such a Palestinian "state" will mean the provisions of the "absentee property" law are triggered and all their land gets taken.

The funny thing about Bibi is that he's like a pantomime villain. He plots and plans at length and then finally, suggests what he thinks is a cunning ploy to get one over on the Palestinians while twirling his moustache and chuckling to himself. But like any pantomime villain, his cunning plans are are so bleedingly transparent that they're laughable. Temporary borders is just the old Gaza scam again. The Palestinians become a self-administering ghetto on the small bits of land that the settlers thought were too rubbish or too populated to settle on and Israel reserves the right to send the IDF in whenever it wants and close borders whenever it wants.

How would any nation feel about its borders being "temporary" ? The very idea is nonsensical. What landowner or houseowner would agree to his property having "temporary" limits ?

Don boy its written in the Bible. You should have read it or yet are going to read it

The West Bank has made major progress towards autonomy and should continue that move, even with temporary borders. Security must involve Jordan and the IDF, to keep Iranian front groups from getting their foot in the new state.

what 'we'--aren't you in the US? So if US policy and Israel's policy don't agree, then you're Israeli? Is that how it works? Seems like someone with that kind of dedication would be in Israel. Full time Americans need to decide what will be done. Pardon us, we are still gun shy about Iraq, and the usual suspects now cackling about bombing Iran!!! And what is being said sounds like the same lie they told about Iraq. USSR and China are not gonna support sanctions with any teeth, face it. And then, what???

should be trusted. They might stop Israel from breaking the law....

Netayanhu will not agree to a Palestinian state, until he gets out of office that will not happen. He is just talking, he would not even agree to stop constructing NEW settlements OUTSIDE of east Jerusalem. He is a true Zionist, and a true Zionist would never do that.

Why waste our time with such ideas as Bibi knows there can be no Palestinian state and Israel at the same time. The Pro-Palestinian movement is actually a Anti-Israel movement and nothing can be built on such negativity.

Palestinians have never owed up to one promise of theirs and have proven incapable of having a independent state as well as no desire to have one. There must never be another hostile Arab state created within Israel as this will only lead to constant war and there will never be peace.

bomb Iran as a prerequsite to addressing the grievances of the Pals, nope, not this time. "No preconditons" is a rather obvious ephemism for 'say, can I keep some of what's not mine, Golan, Shebba', on and on. It's not clear what you are advocating, except sane folks vote for peace, willingly or unwillingly. A lot of people don't put much stock in the holy books as a basis for settlement. There is talk of recognition of a Pal state in August 2011 (Haaretz and JPost) by the int'l community; if Israel is shunned by the int'l community, with the US in tow, we both would wither like an unwatered grape. Don't believe those polls about American support for Israel's recalcitrance;it isn't going over here as well as you think; it's on US news everyday and for the 1st time. Except for the zealots, looks like everybody votes that Israel stop stealing land and give back what she's taken. Read the "Iron Wall" as it will clearly diagnose your problem, false history. J-Street.

what borders, wake up Israel only Hakadosh Baruch-Hu can keep our borders safe, when we love Hashem and follow his ways he will even bring our enimies to make peace with us...looking forward to our redemtion

as the Japanese accdepted after the Second World War?

Mr. Obama may be a smart man but Mr. Netanyahu is much smarter and knows not to fully trust this US Administration. I'm glad Mr. Netanyahu is looking out for his own, the way a President or Prime Minister should!

This truly doesn't make any real sense whatsoever as a strategy-- not to me as least. The essential question to anyone concerned with the erosion of Israel's bargaining position-- and granted I don't expect that to be the principle concern in this forum-- should be what fraction of the West Bank Netanyahu still intends to retain. If it is down to the bare minimum that he can possibly retain in any final status agreement in order to avoid an unbearable expense and mass exodus-- say 5-8%-- then this action has just annulled any chance of compromise on the remaining land which he professedly refuses to surrender (East Jerusalem). The irony is that the fallacy of this as a bargaining strategy is precisely the fallacy of the Oslo process which Netanyahu rightly pointed out when he campaigned against it-- leaving Jerusalem and refugees to the end of the process and expecting that granting continual concessions in the interim will lead to a unilateral withdrawal on the other side.

Talk is cheap!

An interim agreement with temporary borders sounds remarkable coming from this Israeli coalition and that's something to be proud of at this moment in time. I'm just wondering about a few key questions: What are the borders they're proposing? Is the interim over by next year 2011 when hopefully a Palestinian state would be established? And of course, PM Netanyahu would agree to discuss the sensitive issue of Jerusalem, as the Road Map stipulates it to be the third item of the principles of the Road Map. In my opinion, the government of Israel is demonstrating good faith towards the peace process by making these pronouncements to the PA and Quartet. Before actual negotiations have even began, this permits the PA to return to the diplomatic track without more excuses. In fact, it would be astonishing if they reject this positive overture.

Israel had its borders defined in UNGAR181, but with the aid of the US and its veto, Israel can apparently define its own borders - that's not something the Islamic world will appreciate, especially in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Israel had its borders defined in UNGAR191, but with the aid of the US and its veto, Israel can apparently define its own borders - that's not something the Islamic world will appreciate, especially in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Looks like Israel is getting ready for disengagement part two... First came Gaza... and Israel has learnt allot from its previous mistakes... You see disengagement was not a bad idea the problem was a lack of international cooperation in the move... All Israel has to do is play right into Fayyads plan... Say yes, we will declare a Pal state in two years... But they will be based on temporary borders... And the best part is when the Pals mess around with negotiations... (like they always do) then we get to keep everything on our side of the fence... (I.e. Jerusalem) It might not solve Israels problems completely, but it will establish a pal state which will take out allot of the fire from the mid east conflict.

Yeah, right. Who will set the borders? Israel to advance its own territorial ambitions. And temporary will become permanent because Israel won't negotiate further and why would it? If it succeeds in herding all the Palestinians onto the worst possible land, preserving the best land and water resources for the settlements, Israel's goals will be met and to hell with the Palestinians. No wonder the first Israel failed! Won't be surprised when modern Israel fails too.

A democratic state with equal rights to all similar to the US is the only what

birthrights to Ishmael? who questions God? Is man wiser than God? Are mans lies better than Gods truth? Honor God.

I don't understand the prime minsters reasoning when he knows fully that the world does not want Israel to be where they are.. this will not make even a temporary peace and be careful and wise.. for when they say "peace, peace" thats not what is going to happen.... I pray for Israel and God give them wisdom to see the sheep in wolves clothing..

SO whats the difference?

Netanyahu will never agree to a Palestinian State. He hates the Arabs and truly believes that God gave the Jews all the land.

Apparently Netanyahu is taking a step towards peace and pragmatism, amidst his many protests about the risks and sacrifices involved. If he would admit some of the settlers are aggressively hostile, and some of the settlements are needless invasive flashpoints, he would be almost credible. Let's hope the USA, Quartet, etc. can supply enough pressure to make progress possible, before one side or the other gets cold feet or ambitions of securing more concessions. (of course, the cynic in me recognizes this as a vague and reversible response by Netanyahu to the White House's clear demands for specific concessions - but I hope Bibi has better intentions)

How about establishing the "temporary" Palestinian state within the 67 borders and negotiate final borders later. Of course Israel has no intention of returning to the 67 borders (never mind 48), and has no intention of giving up illegal settlements, so why not set up a "temporary" quasi state in tiny non-contiguous parts of Palestine? That might take the pressure off to negotiate a real 2 state solution for the next 4 or 20 decades. Come on now. The Pals will never fall in this trap.

I don't know what the Hebrew word is. But it seems a favorite among Israelis to describe anything and everything Obama does. Now he's appeasing Israel, Last week he was appeasing Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of Volcanoes. The week before he was appeasing Muslims. Next week, he'll be appeasing tea-baggers if he gets Wall Street fraud curtailed, even just a little. Maybe you should all find a new word. This one is old and inaccurate when translated into English.

I really doubt tha Iran will have a presence in E-Jerusalem. This is scare tactic.

Apartheid bantustans all over again - forget it! Leave the occupied territories and occupied Jerusalem.

"and refuses to agree to a freeze on Jewish construction in East Jerusalem." Well then, How about a freeze on evicting Palestinians from their homes, a freeze on demolishing their homes and a transparent process for issuing building permits to Palestinians?

It would set an immediate limit on Jewish settlement, give further fucntional experience in a Palastinain state, and if successful, convince enough Israelis to abandon the hard right - which is what will be required for a government to agree to share Jerusalem. The problem for Abbas is that dithering has a lower political cost than doing something. Anything he does will be the subject of intense criticisim. What a surprise it would be if Netenyahu offered not expecting Abbas to say yes, and Abbas said yes. Both would face a firestorm, and then will see how good Obama's diplomacy is.

By turning the U.S policy from an honest mediator into an active partner,obama made a U-turn that paralyzed the peace process. Making Israel a satellite state will only introduce a new element of resistance into this conflict, that will only increase the temperature. And the mideast have enough of that. Such a change of role by the U.S will certainly not serve the cause of peace. The peace the middle east needs must come from an independent hands that can act because of its authority & its statue; to bridge the differences between the arab & israel the U.S was most suited but alas not any more now. Imposing solutions is not the right way for achieving peace. That is what the arab countries tried to do by force in the past & failed and obama is trying to do now by political diplomacy & the end result will be the same ! Unless obama find new solutions to this conflict & the problem of iran; the mideast is waiting for darker days that nothing to do with Israel.

The onus shifts to the Palestinians...I hope they don't blow this opportunity...(their track record is not real good)...too bad this couldn't have happened sooner.

and now Israel is in dire wish to get the US involved in a new war in the Gulf which will have repercussions, big enough to halt the US led peace moves for a decade.

"the peace process depends on one thing: removing preconditions to negotiations. I think that's fair, but its a two way street. no preconditions on what kind of a Palestinian state. armed or not armed state. open borders or not open borders and all the other conditions the PM has put in place. No freeze on building in East Jrslm, that's fair too, but at the same time, the city should issue the amount permits to the Palestinians to build in West Jrslm. I am a true believer in one state solution. its the only solution

when we mention iran to obama he is empowered. 1 we appear to be begging so he uses that to screw us in judea and jerusalem. 2 mentioning iran over and over will not push obama to attack that nation. bibi its a poker game and you are losing. go to henry kissinger for a course in negotiation.

on independence day?we have never seen so many flags carried by children and the old and the enchanted.enchanted with their nation.streets were filled with the blue and white flags with their beautiful star of david. now bibi think of alll that enthusiasm and tell obama "stop interfering in our affairs,we owe you no explanation"

So Israel gets to keep eastern Jerusalem. Great, but will Israel give a town or proper Israeli territory in exchange?

he behaves towards obama as if the latter has a right to issue instructions to the israeli prime minister. "i tell him this i can do and this i cannot do" you are hopeless bibi.go on bibi tell him where to get off.we are right behind you.

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the general told israel to cool it in jerusalem meaning dont build and told the palestinians not to cause incitement. all the palestinians have to do is stop being noisy while israel must cease housing activity. stuff it general.

the elections in november are fast approaching. obama has told the hard line jim jones to cool it with the jews till after the elections.

it is meaningless.you cant touch it or measure.it is words just words.