Palestinian PM to Haaretz: We will have a state next year

Finnally the world is coming together and sanity is to prevail over lunacy. This has been a long time coming and will be marked not as an a day of independance for only the Palestinians but also the Israelis as both populations have suffered not on equal terms by no means. But for once if we can all just put a side our differences and accept that we are all the children of Adam and that what ever our beleifs are the fundamentals of these beliefs are to live at peace with our bretheren. As have the Muslims, Jews and Christians for centuries until the zionist occupation which saw the closest of allies i.e. Mulims and Jews become the most hated of enemies. My parents and teachers who are both jews and muslims tell me of a time when both the people of these two great faiths lived together in harmony. I pray that we return to that day where we as the people of the world can finally focus our attention on other things like poverty and education for the poor as a pose to this conflict

God specifically proscribed Edomites (ancestors of majority of "Palestinians") and Ammonites/Moabites (ancestors of lesser-numbers "Palestinians" than Edomites) from ever again reorganising as nation/kingdom. The closest they (Edomites only) got to it was under Herods, propped-up (by Republic/Imperial Rome) Idumean (Edomite) tyrants whose survival was dependent on Rome. Confirmed by Arab (particularly Egyptian, Syrian and Jordanian) attempts (Egyptians and Jordanians actually DID grab some) of grabbing pre-1947 Mandate territory--as colonies (Gaza Strip to Egypt) or part of nation (West Bank to Jordan), certainly NONE of them even bothered with any attempt of setting up "Palestinian" nation. Also confirmed by 1956 article in Beirut "Star" which stated that Arab rulers caused "Palestinian 'refugee crisis'" and did NOT want to solve it ever.

Also a local Arab leader, Abd al-Mahdi, testified before the Peel Commission in 1937 as follows: "There is no such land. Palestine is a term invented by the Zionists. There is no Palestine in the Bible. Our land was for hundreds of years a part of Syria. Indeed, this is a picture of the real situation in 1918 and at the start of the British conquest of Eretz Yisrael... Were there any trace of truth to the claim regarding the historicity of a Palestinian People, we should certainly have expected to find mention of it in the history books and encyclopedias, as well as in archaeological research.No Palestine as a political or geographic unitstruction? As Arafat said, the Palestinian people are a fiction. The same is true regarding the Jordanian people, and all the other Arabic speaking peoples in the Middle East. These are not peoples with separate identities, but part of the great Arab nation. Only that has a true identity. By their self-definition, they cannot be divided up into a number of peoples with individual identities. Rather, they constitute one nation consisting of many states, as Arafat himself said to Arianna Palazzi in an incautious moment.

Jordan occupies 755 of Palestine, Israel was forced to share the remainder, unfortunately, Arabs refused to agree, preferring to attack Israel instead, causing the Arabs to lose land instead of gaining Syria, that's another matter, seems to me that Syria attacked Israel in 1948, '56, '67 & '73, losing a bit of land in the process Since Syria couldn't remain peaceful while she occupied the Golan, using it as a vantage point to attack Israel, Israel had to clean up the problem area, resulting in Syrian losses You're the only one that's been moved over, still out of the Golan and most of the "Occupied Terrortories"

Move over, partner.

Fayyad's idea of progress are his demands of additional concessions from Israel, without being willing to make any concessions of his own With Fayyad it's all or nothing, in effect, give in to his endless demands and give nothing in return

You can have a state with borders defined by Israel and Ramallah as your capital. Jerusalem is not going to be divided. Your situation has improved because Fatah has finally realized that its people want to have a life and by doing what Israel has done, the West Bank has blossomed. See what peace can do.

Your post proves the point that I was trying to make in my earlier post (#149). You are quoting a comment (the opinion really) of ONE Palestinian in 1977's. The 1970's (where are you still stuck). Haider Abdul Shafee (the Head Palestinian negotiator to the Madrid Conference) said that Palestinians have a distinct culture, folklore, even a distinct spoken Arabic dialect. Our experience is very unique and it unlike any of our arab neighbors/brothers. That was 1991 not 1977 and from the Head of the Palestinian delegation to the Peace conference not from an unknown guy (I have never heard of his name). Once again you are proving my point that you are stuck in the past. I thought you were stuck in the 1960's. I am sorry I made a mistake, you are stuck in the 1970's. Palestinians have the full right to live in their new state. A state with East Jerusalem as its capital along side Israel. Peace from Gaza City!!!

as the basis for their declaration of statehood - whether by hook or crook. Because an international acknowledgement of the Palestinian state whose declaration he projects, will bring an abrupt end to Israel's scheme of perpetual settlement building - and the Israeli government knows it! Hopefully, the Palestinian people know it as well, and won't give Israel any tangible excuse to escalate the conflict, because it's going to be looking for one by pushing as many buttons as it can. They need to continue peaceful protests, but otherwise sit tight and let Israel continue to reveal its nature and its motives, which it's begun doing over the last year.

I don't need your permission any more than Truman did or Obama does, either.

you are such a smart ass, the US didn't need the Saudis in 1948 because the US wasn't so depended on Saudi Oil and not so many US politicians (and former presidents) wheren't licking so many Arabs asses! You are constantly on Haaretz websites, nothing better to do? Not enaugh problems in the US with all your begging and starving masses? Go and do some good in your cvauntry and leave us alone!

Most of the palestinians,nowadays, beleive that their is a place for the Israeli jews to live in the ME. Some accept the 1967 border solution and the others call for a One Secular State for all including the Israeli jews. Even Hamas, for your surprise, is ready to accept a palestinian state within the borders of 1967 according to what Mashaal said on a program on ALJAZEERA TV. There are alot of questions regarding the propposed Palestinian State the first of which is whether Israel is ready for such a peace deal, and the other question is whether the millions of palestinians living in refugee camps for 62 years are ready to forget about their dream of return to their homes. PA does not represent them not even remotely especially on their Right of Return.

The 1600 units as we all know...maybe not all...was in a Jewish area of Jerusalem. It is an area that in any agreement is going to go to Israel. That's why it was phony. It was just aPR game played by the Pals to garner undeserved world sympathy, and it worked. The world thought...falsely...that Israel was doing something to steal land from the Pals. Nothing was further from the truth. That area was recognized to be Israeli land, and in any final peace agreement was slated to go to Israel. So the whole issue in Jerusalem while a PR victory for the Pals was in fact a phony issue that simply played well for the Pals. Sadly, the world fell for another of the Pals drummed up nonsense. Hopefully the Pals will have a state next year and with it the responsibility to control Hamas and the groups like them. Because a rocket attack from Gaza at that point be an act of war by a "country" against another legitimate country. Meaning full retaliation will be the proper response by Israel.

SY is talking on behalf of the world ! And in a very strong language !

Was he Palestinian, or Israeli? Precedent shows that the PM who needs to watch his back if he makes peace, is the Israeli PM...ask the family of Rabin, if you don't believe me.

Where is the logic in your analogy ? what does Saudi Arabia have to do with millions of palistinians who are seeking some kind of justice to be able to live in peace in their homeland ? Saudi Arabia does not have a single jew living in it , so what do you suggest ? A greater Israel witohut jews ?

Israel's words and actions are very much in conflict. Bibi says again and again he wants a peaceful reconciliatory resolution to the conflict, all the while torpedoing any possibility of success through his settlement policies. And here we have the crux of the problem. Many Israelis ares still governed by some sort of wild eyed messianic dream that all of the land, as promised to the Jews in the bible belong to Israel.Problem- How do you negotiate with the Almighty? Problem number 2- How can we accept the bible with its myths, allegories and poetic passages as an indisputable historical document? No one would regard the Koran in the same way. Talk about arrogance.

The guy is a smooth operator.He can sell,but the Israelis should be crazy to accept "this baby".Again,there is no way to Israel to accept any "pal" entity west of the Jordan.If any Nation sits on robbed land,it is Jordan.Let the "quartet" or the pope or any other "divine force" give the "pals" a state East of the Jordan,and leave the Jews and Israel alone...

he was refused.no counter offer was made.

Two flaws with your argument. I recall the Jewish people used to run to Arab countries, i.e Morocco, Yemen, Iraq, etc when they were persecuted in Europe. So quick you forget. Also, what was the percentage of Jews in the area now known as Israel and the Palestinian territories at the beginning of the 20th century? You have a hand? Count all five fingers and put a percent after it. So quit acting as if this land always was yours. In reality, the Arabs have been the majority of this land 3 times as long as Jews. Jews = 1000 BC to 722 BC. Arabs 638 AD to 1948 AD. Enough said.

I can see myself living alongside Jamal who envisions a two-state solution but not 'A Refugee' who demands a one state solution. Why? Because the one-state solution is only a solution for Palestinians and not for Israelis. We can not accept this. Why would we want to live with you people? All we know about you is Palestinians trying to kill Israelis. That is our experience with Palestinians. I am sure that won?t change because Refugee?s way is ?my needs or continued conflict?. That is not a way to live with another nation. Jamal who understands that nation building is more important than pride- I can live with that attitude.

Israel went 60 years after becoming a state without all her borders named. Netanyahu has been working on preventing any Palestinian state for his entire life. Maybe he'd negotiate in good faith once it is a fact. He's never done that. It would be a first for him. Actually, if/when negotiations start, his coalition will walk and Israel probably will have to go to elections. His whole strategy is to avoid and provoke.

A lot can happen between now and November. We'll see who is right. Bush the elder had a 96% approval rating just before he lost the 1992 election. Americans tend to vote the economy. And Republican promises to re-do the Bush economic disaster don't look promising.

Crying in the wilderness.Yes I also read not once but many times from the horses mouth- i'e Muslim Arabs themselves.The fact you are trying hard to convince some here,may be useful, but with the closed minded people it falls on DEAF EARS. Nevermind the naysayers,the can stick their heads in the SAND DUNES for all the notice they may take. What is more puzzling is:The voices do not come from Muslim/Arabs,but from foreign bodies with no connection to Israel,or the Palestinians. They are just par for the course,thinking by following their wishful thinking because these Pals have made it known by their usual begging the world has forgotten the other real suffering peoples to the exclusion of THE PALS.Why and how a Palestinian State will miraculously will emerge. Dreamers are like that.You must hammer it n matter how they try to discourage you.

But sacrificing their children on the altars of Molech was much more important to the Palestinians.

the dream is over before the print is dry just came in the news that the hamas wants to put the prime minister on trial for the interview he will be lucky if he gets to see the light of day which just proves the point the test of the pudding is its taste and it tastes pretty strange to me

like marriage to a sick relationship it can not fix or repair all that is wrong in the moslem world the violence between moslems, the way human rights are abused and women treated no wonder the moslems are leaving by the millions their moslem lands perhaps there will one day be a palestinian country but it will soon be empty as they will leave to go to holland, belgium and i do pray australia where some of the most naive comments come from .. no, a state for the palestinians will not repair the basic problems which are a lack of moral value system, a lack of belief in human rights and a lack of ability to speak without killing no, before a state the arabs have to work on getting the right state of mind

There are already 3, the original one is Judea/Palestine, the Province of Ancient Judea renamed Palestine by the Romans 2000 years ago wherein Christ was born... another 'Palestine' which is Jordan, Homeland of the Palestinian peoples, and now a Third 'Palestine' which is in fact the name of the PHILISTINES or Filistinas, Palestinians in English, an ancient seafaring group of Aegean origin. Goliath was a Philistine and so was Delilah.

You claim I am incorrect, but fail to show any of my evidence is not factually correct. Do you have evidence that the Palestinian map Morris reproduces in the work I cited is in fact accurate in depicting cantons?What is your evidence? You claim there is no documentation of Barak's offer. It was documented. On July 18th, the eighth day of deliberations, Barak conveyed the offer of Gaza, contiguous territory on 91% of the West Bank, and other territory (Golan, 2007, pp. 38-39). President Clinton presented the offer to Arafat and Arafat rejected (ibid., p. 45). Now if you disagree, try some evidence this time.

Try to admit the truth to yourself, even if you keep denying it to others. The Taba negotiations were destroyed by palestinian terrorists using religiously inspired homicide bombers to promote their political agenda against Arafat and peace negotiations. These homicide bombers and the revolting "religious leaders" who encouraged them, destroyed Barak's political career, propelled Sharon to power, and also could have been the factor that pushed Bush's non-victory over Gore in 2000 to the Supreme Court.

Is the border to be where the security barrier is or is it to be where the old, obsolete Green Line (which was a temporary armistice line) used to be? Is East Jerusalem to be an exclave of the Islamic Republic of Palestine completely surrounded by Israeli sovereign territory? What about Hamastan in the Gaza Strip? Is it going to rejoin the ranks of the PA or is it going to remain a separate political and geographic entity?

The Democrats will probably lose their majority in the 2010 midterm elections. Let's wait and see if they are keen for an even more crushing defeat in the 2012 elections or if they pull the plug on this little Islam appeaser in the White House before.

He can't control his bedroom. This lunatic has nothing to do with Palestinians' aspirations. as hard he is kissing butts he is being rejected... his brother is Sanioura In Beyrouth.

One is bound to fall and it will not be Israel Palestinian State next year? Don't thinks so, aharon.Not even several decades if at all. Mr.Fayyad has not even whispered the existence of Israel,nor has any of them either. Which goes to show what their real agenda is,and will for ever be. Unless Israel rolls up,and DIE. A leapoard does not change its spots,never in a million years. Funny I was trying to believe what I was reading until I OPENED MY EYES and saw the truth STARING ME IN THE FACE. No difference between Fayyad,Abbas and any of them. Very disappointing altogether.

The US doesn't have a parliamentary system. Obama's powers won't change however the elections come out. In the past week or so, he has started to show the obstructionists that they have a price to pay for getting in his way. Bush and Truman and many other Presidents have made such demonstrations. It is not a good idea to piss of any US President.

Useful idiots just try to deny them

A. "ariel sits on the road that leads directly to tel aviv" - Schlomzion And which road would that be,, the one from Tela Aviv to Kafr Qassem to end in Ariel? Remove Ariel and the road leading to it and nobody will miss it. (Normally one worries about some strastegic road, say between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, with Latrun sitting in the middle. One does not worry about a road that leads nowhere.) B. "israel must keep the hills that dominate the region the palestinians can have the rest.the dan region is not defensible without these heights." Ariel is not on the heights but in the middle of the slopes. On the heights are the main cities of Samariaand the road between them, from Ramallah to Jenin. If Israel keeps the heights, what will be left? C. "I can explain all the poems that ever were invented - and a good many that haven't been invented just yet." - Schlomzion Try explaining: "'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves Did gyre and gimble in the wabe: All mimsy were the borogoves, And the mome raths outgrabe."

Need this conflict to keep themselves in power, while armchair socialists need their "cause" human rights obviously is not it.

Check world history prior to its re-writing by Arabs in the 20th and 21st Centuries and you'll discover that Palestine has never existed as a nation. The region currently referred to as Palestine was ruled alternately by Rome, Islamic and Christian crusaders (i.e., terrorists), the Ottoman Empire and Great Britain after World War I. The British agreed to restore part of the land to the Jewish people as their ancestral homeland. It was never ruled by, or awarded to, Arabs as a separate nation. But don't just take my word for it, according to Arab leaders there is no such thing as the "Palestinian" people. Follow up: On March 31, 1977 the Dutch newspaper Trouw published an interview with Palestine Liberation Organization executive committee member Zahir Muhsein. His statements were also later published in the Boston Herald and you'll find them at various Internet sites as well. Here's what he said: The Palestinian people does not exist. The creation of a Palestinian state is only a means for continuing our struggle against the state of Israel for our Arab unity. In reality today there is no difference between Jordanians, Palestinians, Syrians and Lebanese. Only for political and tactical reasons do we speak today about the existence of a Palestinian people, since Arab national interests demand that we posit the existence of a distinct "Palestinian people" to oppose Zionism.

And even if(IF)the Pals get a state in the near future,THERE will always be some in the ME neighbourhood who will interfer and chasnge it all back WITH A VENGEANCE. Reason?Because according to them Israel is not supposed to be where she is. Nothing,and I mean nothing can,or will change the STATUS QUO till DOOMSDAY. If anyone can show me it can happen,and peacefully I'd be much obliged. You see the Palestinians cannot live with their brothers,let alone with Jews/Israelis. They murder each other mercilessly. Killings on Iraq continue daily.Sunnies versus Shiites.I mean,if they are Muslims shouldn't they love each other? And in Gaza they threw the Fatah people over the top floor balcony to their deaths. Very loving ha?

The biggest opposition to a Palestinian State even at the 1967 borders will be rejected by Hamas. War will ensue. You are dreaming that the US will force Israel to go back to the 1967 borders and leave Judiasm's holiest sites in the hands of the Palestinians. We know what the Jordanians did to them after 1948 when they occupied the WB and East Jerusalem. Even the Obama administration cannot force Israel to return to the 1967 borders and if they try, Mr. Obama will be rebuffed, there will be no peace agreement, the Palestinians will not have a viable state and the present situation will continue. The US congress and the American people will not allow its' only ally in the Middle east to become the victim of sanctions and disinvestment by the European community. The EU and the UN in any event are irrelevant in the Peace Process.Their words at the UN mean nothing. The EU should look after itself. They will be fighting a civil war to prevent sharia law from becoming law.

For as long as the Palestinians do not recognize Israel, there will be never a Palestinian state. Shortly speaking, no two people can seat in the same chair.

You say and I quote you:Let`s say if there was no terrorism, no rocket attacks, full peace... why wouldn`t Palestine be independent? Yes very good,but you put the CART before the HORSE friend. The first thing should be the aforementioned: i.e No terror,no bombs (and by the way what about Gilad Shalit)?who was abducted since three years.Should one forget about that? So,Mahgoub first THINGS FIRST:It should not be provisional but for a long,long period before Israel can deal with the latter,and accept Mr.Fayyad's vision. he has said nothing aout the accptance of the presense of Israel.None of them have said it. What do yuou think about that or understand friend? It`d keep the `Palestinians` happy, it`ll probably keep Israel happy, and they can have their dream of actually being Palestinians, rather than Jordanian / Egyptian Arabs Dreamland in PARADIZE

Perhaps you have noticed the extreme difficulty in getting any OFFICIAL map of Barak's offer at Camp David. If you really followed what happened at Camp David, you would make different conclusions. Arafat arrived in a cynical mood-after all, Barak refused to implement previous Israeli agreements to pull back from additional territory. Israel had been dragging her feet for 7 years, expanding settlements, renigging on further withdrawals, and then, like magic, at Camp David, Barak had this brave offer as you describe...Except it was never documented!!! Now, if you don't believe me, then perhaps you should ask yourself a simple question: If the offer at Camp David was so generous, then why did it need to be revamped at Taba 6 months later? From the Palestinian perspective, Israel appeared to finally begin negotiating a reasonable FINAL deal at Taba, but sadly, they pulled out of talks once they got tantalizingly close to completion.

A. mr fayyad why did you refuse the camp david taba offer - Schlomzion It appears you believe Fayyad was a political leader already during Camp David and Taba (2000-1). No he was merely an Economist then, Only joined the PA government in 2002. B. and why did you refuse the olmert offer in 2009 - Schlomzion Nobody refused any offer. The negotiations with Olmert were frozen during the Cast Lead operation in Gaza. When there was time to renew them, there were elections in Israel and Likud won. 3. "And why do you have such big teeth, grandma?" - Schlomzion All the better to eat you up.

Even if the PA Prime Minister is right and the Palestinians manage to build a state, they will not be free. It will be only a matter of time before Syria and/or Iran take over and the Palestinians will be dominated by tyranical foreign rule.

Fayyad is a good man, and according to the Europeans he is doing what is needed to create a state infrastructure. His time scale of 2001 is agreed to by the Quartet. I hope his vision materializes, but so far this is a single man's vision. Fayyad is not a leader of a political party. Remember Bashir Jemayel in Lebanon? One bomb eliminated the Sharon vision of installing the Christians as lords of Lebanon. Fayyad should take care of himself. From the settlers, to Netanyahu (remember Rabin?), to Hamas, Hizballah and other Arab extremists (remember Sadat?), the world if full of danger.

It seems now that whether or not Israel agrees to the step, a Palestinian state will be declared within the next couple of years. According to Tony Blair, the Quartet envoy to the PA, the institutions of Palestine will be ready for it to function by then. No doubt, practically all countries in the world will recognize the new state, and it makes sense that President Obama will too. (In the US, the President decides on recognition.) Even if Obama succumbs to Congressional pressure (following Jewish Lobby pressure) and does not officially recognize the new state, he will not veto admittance of the new state to the UN. I imagine that soon thereafter the US will also recognize the new state in order not to lose influence. Within the year, the Arab state will probably elect Palestine to the Security Council. It makes sense that the world will definitely take the borders of the new state to be the Green line of 1967, with most of this being under occupation. Likud will be unhappy, but will have to start realistic negotiations on borders, or Israel will lose its standing. In any case, the dream of Greater Israel will be over and out.

Fayyad is a good man, and according to the Europeans he is doing what is needed to create a state infrastructure. His time scale of 2001 is agreed to by the Quartet. I hope his vision materializes, but so far this is a single man's vision. Fayyad is not a leader of a political party. Remember Bashir Jemayel in Lebanon? One bomb eliminated the Sharon vision of installing the Christians as lords of Lebanon. Fayyad should take care of himself. From the settlers, to Netanyahu (remember Rabin?), to Hamas, Hizballah and other Arab extremists (remember Sadat?), the world if full of danger.

On behalf of many palestinians, I would like to thank Dr. Fayyad for the transformation taking place in the WB now. 1) The GDP has increase at least 7% in the last three years. 2) The streets are much safer and the security situation in the palestinian controlled areas "A" is encourging. This is one of the reasons why we are seeing more and more foreign investers and projects all over the WB. 3) Drugs and contrabands are on the decline. 4) Unemployment has decreased to at least half what it used to be in 2002-3. Overall, so many people in Palestine are having hope. Hope in the future. We still have ways to go, but thank you PM Fayyad for putting us on the right track.... Finally, palestinians have something to look forward to (after years of occupation and discrimination-under Israel- and corruption -under Arafat).

Convoluted though it may be.However,the relevant points you made,are summarily dismissed by the Arabs who's only AIM is to delegitimize not only Isael,but to accrue land by devious means. Most of us know the origines of the mandated Jordan an artificially created country. That said,it was deemed to be the country for the Palestinisns or else how does one justify the FACT,that the percentage of Palestinians LIVE IN JORDAN. This story is churned ad nauseum beause the jing of Jordan does not want further pals in his country. That is the crux of the matter.One large contry affording space for these pals,while tiny Israel not able to have further people in its midsts because as it is Israel is shrinking so fast it will diasppear altogether. Good post yours and Dr.L.Brnd too for he too knows what the truth is.

The Palestinians have the right to live in their homes, they have a right to their own economy, to water and to control their own resources. Israelis have the right to security. These two rights can be reconciled and the right to Jerusalem can also as long as there are clear boundaries defining the Jewish Quarter in the Old City. Also the boundaries of Gilo need to be defined too. And given the lousy bus service from Gilo to downtown Jerusalem I can well imagine that if Gilo residents without cars were given the option to live in some of the nicer neighborhoods in West Jerusalem they would take it. The Palestinian PM's words are very nice, but they won't deliver anything unless the issue of grotesque inequality in his state in the making is dealt with, and the same issue needs to be dealt with in Israel.

Yes?I think so.I did put a question to him,so have you.No reply to aither will be forth coming.He like his predecessors are just mouthing inanities for they have no other means. My post concerning the other factions:How does Fayyad deal with them?I mean Haniyeh,Mishaal,the clans and tribes Abbass aprticularely with HIS CHARTER AND TERRORISTS who's BOSS he is? An intractable affair that will never materialized I HOPE FERVENTLY. The other side of the equation is: There will be either CIVIL WAR BY OUR JEWS,or WARS to put an end to the Pals to relocate where they belong-i.e JORDAN.I know it,you know it and SO DO THEY.

Are you serious? "when there`s a jewish state in saudi arabia!" Saudi Arabia is 100% arab, The West Bank and Gaza are at least 90% arab (not 100% because of the illegal settlements of course). East Jerusalem is the third holiest site for muslims (palestinians, arabs and others..) and the holiest for christains (palestinians, arabs and others...) Mecca is not a holy site for Jews. Your comment shows narrow mindedness and extremism. Please open up and try to understand the palestinian point of view.....

let the Haaretz talkbackers "DREAM"? I am no dreamer Robert.Having read your post,you have merely put my thoughts exactly as I would have done. The dreamer is really Fayyad,even though he sounds reasonable.However,talk is cheap,actions are required.I mean he is only one man.What about the rest of the Pals?i.e Haniyeh,Mishaal,Abbas,and the dozens of tribes and clans who cause so many problems. A very convoluted state of affairs,with a very convoluted type of people.

and why did you refuse the olmert offer in 2009

one day when we have disarmed the enemy would use these roads to slice right through israel.our tiny army would be on holiday in bangkok katmandu and manilla.

the palestinians can have the rest.the dan region is not defensible without these heights.

You are incorrect. Palestinian officials created a map that "inaccurately depicts Israeli security zones carving the West Bank into three cantons" (Morris, One State, Two States, 2009, p. xiii). Morris reproduces their inaccurate map, which led to this misconception. The final Camp David offer was of "contiguous territory" in the West Bank (ibid., p. xii). In an earlier Talkback (Ari Shavit artcle) you claimed Aaron David Miller supported your position on the negotiations. In fact, Miller wrote of Camp David: "Bold , brave, and reckless, Barak wanted an end to conflict and all claims with the Palestinians"; Arafat did not even come "to negotiate in any meaningful sense of the word" (2009, p. 297).

If Palestinians were to unilaterally declare a Palestinian State, and Israel were to carry out your plans in response, without regard for international law, the UN, international criminal jurisdictions, and the international community, Israel will experience the wrath of the world as it has never before imagined. It will see the withdrawal of all US support, and without the US veto, Israel will be dragged before the Intl Criminal Court in the Hague so fast it will make your head swim. No longer will there be US financial support, international loan guarantees, support in the World Bank, or the IMF. With the world-wide sanctions, divestments and boycotts that would follow, Israel would be completely isolated from in the world community of nations, no imports, no exports, no international associations, no loan guarantees, no military support: and Israel would not survive such isolation. President may recognize a new state without congress, as Truman recognized Israel.

Let's say if there was no terrorism, no rocket attacks, full peace... why wouldn't Palestine be independent? It'd keep the 'Palestinians' happy, it'll probably keep Israel happy, and they can have their dream of actually being Palestinians, rather than Jordanian / Egyptian Arabs.

It's not about race! Look at Fayad, his first name is salam, shalom. And do'nt you see that he really looks a genuine semite! Do'nt you know that israelites ans arabes have common roots? in arabic hebrew is sayed abrey whitch is phonetically exactly the word "arbey"(an arab) but mirrored

"Jordan is Palestine" come on Shafeeka, this is really old. No one in the world is buying this agrument now. You need to come up with something "more creative". It is very obvious that Palestinians need their own country and that they are ready to build it. Remember that they helped in building several modern and stable arab states. It is their chance to build their own "Palestine". Shafeeka, my friend, are you still living in the 1960's?

Dream in one side=nightmare in the other. But peace means shared dreams

Question is as to why you have suddenly think you will be having your state by 2011? what makes you so sure? I think Mr.Fayyad you are dreaming and dreams though are nice,you are still stuck in LIMBO and will be there for ever. Tell Abbas to throw hi terror entity who's boss he is plus his abominable CAHRTER. First thing first and were I you I would not put too much hope,sorry.

"Get used to the Idea that Obama has the same powers Bush and Truman had." Before or after the midterm elections?

Maggie, before you get your answer, BIGGER question. WHAT concessions have the Palestinians EVER, EVER given Israel. NAME JUST ONE, PLEASE. Boggles the mind. By the way, the only thing ruthless here is the way these people have been manipulated by their Arab brethren in countries such as Lebanon who host refugee camps for the past 60 years. A Pal is considered lower than a Black slave was in the US. Maybe their brethren, who have manipulated them, know something we don't.

Your knowledge of the situation is certainly limited. Over the decades, Israel has offered concession after concession, only to be repaid by terrorism. Gaza is a fine case in point. Had Gazans made use of the greenhouses left to them, abandoned terrorism and dedicated themselves to building up their territory in peace, it would be a beautiful, thriving community today, instead of the wretched, hopeless shithole it is. Meanwhile, Fayyad strikes a reasonable tone. But it is difficult to trust him after his devious predecessors.

UK set up Jordan a Palestinain state but tan gave it to the Hssein family to settle feud in Hashemite kingdoms rule with the Saud clan and thus was created the excuse to divide historic Israel into a pseudo Palestine that was created when another empire the Roman called in Israel called Palastina which in ancient Roman dialect meant to erase Jewish presence in their historic homeland. It was propagganda that permeates to this day. There was NEVER a Palestinian state just a Jewish land called Palastina.

Personally, I couldn't care less. Have your state and eat it.

If not back to Hebron and Nablus, we will not return to Haifa and Jaffa,We go up the ladder gradually

And Israel may not either.

To see all these post from (jewish) Americans thinking Israel belongs to them ! You seriously think you have more rights than the palestinians over the land ? Identity problems perhaps ?

Instead of asking yourself questions, why don't you mind your own business ? I believe you've got some work to do with your leaders....

Arabs are champions to create a mess palstinians refugees could have absorbed after arab wars debacle in the countries they belongs But Arabs kings & dictators told them to stay there until they will push back these jews to the sea .. they invent this palestine state to recover the land they lost during their glorious wars against israel the problem is now , they make these poor people dreaming since more than 63 years I am a jew born in north africa arab state when my parents understood that arabs are pushing us away , we moved to our real ancestors land Israel ... We didnt build refugee camps neither organize terror against our old country . palestians you are arabs , the best for you is to stop to dream , realize that you must leave in arab state like jordan & egypt and lebanon & syria . these countries do not want you want & they asking for jewish people to give you their biblical home land what a mess , a mess like gaza a big mess !! hope god will help us

"Jordan is Palestine. They have never been ruled as two separate states except during the British Mandate. Before 1918 the two banks of the Jordan River were a single state." And Syria and Lebanon were also part of that single "state" (in reality a province of the Ottoman Empire). Is Chafeeka suggesting a grand Middle East confederation? Or perhaps coming to an arrangement with Syria: Israel keeps Golan and gives Damascus Lebanon? In reality Chafekka is just telling Palestinians go somewhere else and stop being bothersome to the people who stole and are stealing their land: a big "f**k off" dressed up as "historical" argument. Very helpful for the peace process...

the palestinians are not 'fantasising'. Give them back their land you ruthlessly stole from them..and so you admit there was a Nakba?, mass expulsion and murder in '48..? Would like to know what 'concessions' Israel has ever given the Palestinians!??(the mind boggles).

LOL! It doesn't matter anyway, because as soon as the international community recognizes the Palestinian state, even the zealots in the Israeli government are going to recognize that the gig is up. Israel will have the choice of accepting the state of Palestine and negotiating territorial swaps to retain some of its settlement blocks along the border, or face becoming an international outcast, sanctions, boycotts, and quite possibly direct U.N. imposition - which would not only preclude the possibility of retaining any of its settlements, but would also render the above consequences all for naught! Of course, there might be a few like you in the government, who would risk Israel's prosperity and security for sake of continued defiance of international law and the consensus of nations. But they'd be blackballed by the majority, and would likely end up scattered among the settler terrorist groups which will no doubt be operating against the state of Palestine until the last of the dinosaur mentalities fades away.

So, everything outside Israels original 1948 borders are actually Jordanian, right? So, according to your logic there are no territories and Israel is actually occupying a soverign country? Israel then is annexing land and building settlements on soverign Jordanian land. I do not think you will find anyone to agree with your position.

Truman didn't need permission to recognize Israel. If Obama chooses to, he can recognize Palestine, without permission. Bush recognized Kosovo, without permission. Get used to the Idea that Obama has the same powers Bush and Truman had.

Arab assertions that Palestine and Jordan are one region. These go back to 1921 and remain politically potent even today. The Palestine Liberation Organization has often declared Jordan a part of Palestine, and occasionally lays formal claim to it. The eighth conference of the Palestine National Council (PNC), meeting in February-March 1971, resolved that "what links Jordan to Palestine is a national bond and a national unity formed, since time immemorial, by history and culture. The establishment of one political entity in Transjordan and another in Palestine is illegal." The draft program of tenth PNC conference (in April 1972) was even more forthright: "The need for struggle to overthrow the agent regime in Jordan, which is a front line of defense for the Zionist state and organically linked to Israel, has become no less urgent than the need for struggle against Zionist occupation." That Palestinians make up 60 percent of the east bank population and play a major role in all aspects of life there "implies that the two peoples be brought together into a Jordanian-Palestinian national liberation front." Individual spokesmen have made even more specific claims. The PLO's first chief, Ahmad ash-Shuqayri argued that Jordan's 1950 annexation of the West Bank was actually an annexation of the east bank to Palestine. For him, Palestine "stretched from the Mediterranean Sea in the west to the Syrian-Iraqi desert." In 1966, a PLO representative to Lebanon declared Jordan "an integral part of Palestine, exactly like Israel." Jordanians also stress the connection between the two regions. Both of Jordan's two major rulers, 'Abdallah (who ruled from 1921 to 1951) and Husayn (1953 to the present), have been outspoken on this issue. As early as 1926, 'Abdallah asserted that "Palestine is one unit. The division between Palestine and Transjordan is artificial and wasteful," a view he later repeated many times. The establishment of Israel in 1948 hardly affected Hashemite claims to Palestine. The Jordanian prime minister declared in August 1959: "We here in Jordan, led by our great king [Husayn] are the government of Palestine, the army of Palestine, and we are the refugees." The king himself stated in 1965 that "the two peoples have integrated; Palestine has become Jordan, and Jordan Palestine." He also declared that "those organizations which seek to differentiate between Palestinians and Jordanians are traitors who help Zionism in its aim of splitting the Arab camp.... We have only one army, one political organization, and one popular recruiting system in this country." Losing the West Bank in 1967 also made little difference for Jordanian claims. Prime Minister Zayd ar-Rifa'i told an interviewer in 1975: Jordan is Palestine. They have never been ruled as two separate states except during the British Mandate. Before 1918 the two banks of the Jordan River were a single state. When they returned to being a single state after 1948, it was a matter of building on the earlier unity. Their families are one, as are their welfare, affiliation, and culture. King al-Husayn asserted again in 1981 that "Jordan is Palestine and Palestine is Jordan."

That is the birth of Palestine we all can expect.

Especially coming from a strong economic background, he would have realized the state of Palestine that Israel offered could not sustain herself. Isreal annexing the Jordan Valley alone creating 3 Palestinian cantons in the West BANK would not allow a viable, contigious Palestinian state, that along with no connection to Gaza, no capital in Arab East Jerusalem, rather Abu Diss. Israel controlling Palestinian airspace, borders, and annexing 6 to 10 percent of the West Bank for their settlements. You're seriously kidding me right?

slave owner scolding his slave. Guess what? Israel may be very strong militarily, but geopolitcally, they are weaker now than ever before. Israel will find herself like Iran, sanctioned, and isolated.

Birth meaning never was and becoming. Palestine was Always there just Held hostage by israel

Clearly therre are some here who think the US needs permission to recognize a state. Truman didn't ask before recognizing Israel. And had opposition anyway. Why should Obama ask before recognizing Palestine? It's not like the Likudniks in the US can be persuaded, is it?

I've got to say... Salam Fayyad is a godsend. No... he's like a breath of fresh air. Just notice what he says, that this conflict is political... and it doesn't need to be set in a cultural or religious realm. Certainly in the Middle East... religious arrogance is paid-back through violence and tragedy. Mr. Fayyad on the other hand, is a pragmatic Palestinian with secular ideas. And I don't care who you are... or where you come from, this is a man Israelis should be able to deal with. May they only realize that simple little fact.... before it's to late.

#1, 2 and others, stop your sadistic jokes and sarcasm. Yes, arabs have a unrealistic dream, let them be. It is Israel who cares about those unfortunate people, not you, so why you hate them so much? Try to find some pity in your hearts.

Another racist bigoted comment. An interesting observation is the posters from the US in support of Israel repeatedly resort to insults, foul mouthing, cursing . Ever wonder why Joey?

as are many posting here. how do you envisage a lasting peace when at least 50% of the Palestinians including Hamas believe that the Jews have no right to live in the Middle East and Israel is not recognized. A Palestinian State in the WB, Gaza and even the 1967 border is rejected by Hamas. Violence will continue either between Hamas and Fatah or Hamas and Israel with Hamas supported militarily by Iran. I can see more rather than less violence if a Palestinian State is created alongside Israel as long as Hamas is not defeated. Who is going to do it when the world criticizes israel for even defending itself against incoming rockets without even condemning Hamas acts of terror.

Israel was created by the UN in '48 without Arab input. The UN can recognize a Palestinian State NOW without Israeli input. Your scenario is utter lunacy. If Israel attempted such a land grab, it would force the EU and US to become the protector of Palestinian State. Believe me, Israel will be totally alone in the world. It WILL lose US support.

What do the Palestinians have to give in return? Their promise not to attack Israel? what a joke. Mohammad promised the same thing before he stormed Mecca.

If the state of Palestine is established? Well - we can all hope

"the birth of a Palestinian"? The land has been our country for millenniums. It's simply just being free from some Israeli occupation and not a birth.

directrob: re: 'that would mean peace" where you state that Israel could prosper. Rob - FYI, Israel does prosper, because their main goal is to depend on themselves, their own GNP, their industries - check it out. Microsoft is in Israel, Medical research is in Israel. Cell phone technology comes from Israel. Palestinian Arabs use Israeli technology. Palestinian Arabs who work and live in Israel prosper. They are quite happy to take Israeli money to help support their families in an Israel that welcomes any who want to live and work in peace. If the populace in West Bank and Gaza put their efforts into industry and peace, there would be peace.

True. That is why Arab League will not let it happen.

If Palestinians were to unilaterally declare a Palestinian State, and Israel were to carry out your plans in response, without regard for international law, the UN, international criminal jurisdictions, and the international community, Israel will experience the wrath of the world as it has never before imagined. It will see the withdrawal of all US support, and without the US veto, Israel will be dragged before the Intl Criminal Court in the Hague so fast it will make your head swim. No longer will there be US financial support, international loan guarantees, support in the World Bank, or the IMF. With the world-wide sanctions, divestments and boycotts that would follow, Israel would be completely isolated from in the world community of nations, no imports, no exports, no international associations, no loan guarantees, no military support: and Israel would not survive such isolation. President may recognize a new state without congress, as Truman recognized Israel.

I've got to say... Salam Fayyad is a godsend. No... he's like a breath of fresh air. Just notice what he says, that this conflict is political... and it doesn't need to be set in a cultural or religious realm. Certainly in the Middle East... religious arrogance is paid-back through violence and tragedy. Mr. Fayyad on the other hand, is a pragmatic Palestinian with secular ideas. And I don't care who you are... or where you come from, this is a man Israelis should be able to deal with. May they only realize that simple little fact.... before it's to late.

A "state?" More like about a dozen statelets, all subject to closure by Israel, its residents subject to settler pogroms. Less optimism would be appropriate in this case.

New sovereign state for palestinian means another bloody conflict on the horizon as history have shown muslims world-wide are hell bent on the extermination of non-muslims. Look at Pakistan's home grown terrorist(CSI) being trained to terrorise India for so long. Muslims are committed at doing unthinkable act against non-muslims because the koranic teaching commanded them to do so, and if you care to read the koran,this is it. Gaza was handed back to Palistinian control but soon became a bastion to launch bloody conflict against Israel instead of utilising money from international donor to uplift their economic welfare. However, Palestinian state should only be a reality if all Plestinian renounce islam because this religion sanctify violence against non-muslims and even muslims and what more, muslims are not interested in peace and find every reason to start war and ironicaly, muslim leaders the world over explicitly/implicitly always stand behind them.

No, I've not lived in an Islamhic State- I have, however, seen Rick Steeves' IRAN on PBS and the Iranian people are beautiful, cultured, educated....Check it out on PBS I do know, however, that I would hate to live in Israel as a Palestinian- as I am sure you would agree- even worse a Palestinian in Gaza squeezed by a Jewish occupation.

Brilliant. But not everyone has sense of humor.

We all know the underlying motive of the PA PM's of having their own state, it must not happen.

Isn't she a hoot? All those marvels in the Muslim state the may,I mean may materialize... Not.Silly woman. As you say,she has no idea what it is like to live or be anywhere near a REAL Arabs,I mean not the nice liberal ones,but the types of theones in the REAL ME,wow to the ignorants like her.

If only Fayyad was at Camp David or at Taba! Unfortunately, every time a realistic piece agreement was proposed to Palestinians, they refused it. Let us hope they would act differently next time

thats great,really,wow meanwhile i'm gonna continue training my pet slugs,worms and snails for this "imaginary round the world race,It's gonna be HUGE",I should be back in tyme though for the party and exzaltation by then,back to werk,paperwerk and details and invites,HUGE,invertabrite race of the ,well,northstars burning,get the lead out of yer collective buearucratic dead _sses

Palestine would be a failed state and everyone knows this. Or how do you want to build a state, where the children in school do not learn to read, to write, or to calculate, but only that all Jews must be killed?

If the Palestinians have their state peace can have a chance and Israel could prosper.

any new state being declared by the Palestinians. I even see the Americans recognizing it. It's best for Israel to resolve the issues of East Jerusalem and the settlements on Palestinian lands now before a state is declared. After that, then it gets more complicated and more shameful (if that's even possible) for Israel because it will then be an international issue of Israel infringing on the sovereign rights of another country.

Liz, I can tell you have never lived in an Islamic state!

I noticed that your interviewer gave a very easy question on the refugee question. A simple question elicited "we will we refugees to our new state". Of course, your interviewer did not ask "are you demanding that refugees have the ability to resettle in Israel". That would have destroyed the "feel good" intent of this article

Want to be that if this interview was with a newspaper from an arab country, his answers would have been 100 percent opposite? If Arafat was terrified of accepting the deal offered in 2000 by President Clinton due to the certainty that it would lead to his assassination by his own people, what makes you think that any current palestinian leader would dare to accept an agreement recognizing the existence of Israel as a legitemate "zionist entity". It's just not gonna happen, folks. No peace in our time, no palestinian state in our time.

Fayyad is a good man, and according to the Europeans he is doing what is needed to create a state infrastructure. His time scale of 2001 is agreed to by the Quartet. I hope his vision materializes, but so far this is a single man's vision. Fayyad is not a leader of a political party. Remember Bashir Jemayel in Lebanon? One bomb eliminated the Sharon vision of installing the Christians as lords of Lebanon. Fayyad should take care of himself. From the settlers, to Netanyahu (remember Rabin?), to Hamas, Hizballah and other Arab extremists (remember Sadat?), the world if full of danger.

You are simply identifying the nature of Israel state. dictating their arrogance through the American congress. Shame on you USA to have such a citizen like Dr. L.Brnd who wants to justify mass crime through your congress.

Salam Fayyad is just a business man who is trying to make things go along with his besiness empire. All West Bank Palestinians know very well what kind of business is going these days between Abu Mazen's son and him, This clearly define the game he is playing through the Palestinian authority members who don't care anymore about Palestinian rights other than building their future business on the behalf of Palestinian pains. Salam Fayyad has forgetten that not a single Palestinian can leave a tiny friction of that what they have lost in 1948 to them (Israel & Fayyad corruptors). The only illegable solution to this delimma is one single State for both Israeli and Palestinian with equal rights or endless struggle for existance.

excuse me Mark Lincoln but I have zero sympathy for the residents of Gaza. They received Gaza in good condition including million dollar greenhouses for growing food and they immediately set to task burning these greenhouses down and sending quassams into Israel. This resulted in them receiving a response from Israel. As for starving...how could they possibly be starving when they are getting fatter by the minute..just look at them. If they had an ounce of decency they would not be so busy smuggling in arms and ammunition to use against Israel but would be bringing in food. Actually these folks and their propaganda machine top the Nazi's and Goebels. Since you are so willing to believe them I have a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you.

First, Palestinians need to reject many of their fantasies, which may take generations. If one reads between the lines, the Palestinans still dream not about founding a state of ""Palestine", but rather about replacing the Jews of Israel and taking their places. Until the Palestinans discard their tactic of violence as a negotiating tool, and cynically pocketing Israeli concessions while continuing to wage war, it is far more liklely that they will create yet another "Nakba" for themselves than a state.

@ Petra- don't bet on the world turning a blind eye for much longer to Israeli breaking INTERNATIONAL LAW!!

Honey what's for tea?

Get the 1967 malarky and Jerusalem out of your rhetoric, Mr Fayyad, and you might actually achieve a Palestinian State in Judea and Samaria next year. Make it safe for tourists, and you will have a superb country with a thriving economy. Facts on the ground as well as the "arrangements, accommodations, access" that you mentioned will see peace given a chance. If you can achieve the later yourselves, then you can expect it in return, too.

GR - the Palestinian economy grew by about 9% last year, which is slightly better than her Brittanic Majesty's realm managed, they have forecast growth for the next few years as well. There is corruption in almost every Arab government in the Middle East, at least they do not use the terror tactics of say Hammas or the Assads, they may have few natural resources, but they are extremely resourceful, and when both our energy and theirs is no longer spent pandering to extremists, I am sure that together we can build a pretty good future here, two states living in harmony and hopefully synergy. If France and England can manage it so can we. Meanwhile if you asked me to bet on the London Stock Exchange or on the Nablus one, I would go for Nablus.

the U.N, U.S ,AND THE E.U does

Okay, they already have Detroit. It guess they intend on taking the rest of Michigan?

Two weeks ago his government named a square in Ramallah after a terrorist who killed 28 Israeli civilians. This isn't incitement? This is our partner for peace?

thanks to you PM. Dr. Fayyad, you are reflecting all who love peace and working for a chieving it. palestinians leaders have to say and to do the same . most of palestinians culture has changed, so we do have common shard values,so let us build on it. To Isrealis eough is eough and I think we must not look backward, we should all look to our kids future. please speak up and get advantage from Dr. Salam speach and consider it as a first step to creat a crediabitity.

A Palestinian state is declared August 1, 2011. It encompasses the West bank, some Israeli land swapped for some settlements, Gaza and East Jerusalem. The Old City is declared an International city with Jewish control over its'Holy sites and Palestinian control over its'holy sites. A War starts-not between israel and palestine but between Hamas that rejects a Palestinian state and Fatah. Iran backs Hamas with rockets and tanks. The Americans and Europeans support Fatah with words at the UN. Guess who wins - hamas of course. The Palestinian population of the West Bank rushes to support Hamas'dream of a Palestinian State in all of British Palestine which deep in their hearts is what they really want. No Haaretz talkbackers, a Palestinian State declared by Fayyad will not bring utopia as you dream but more bloodshed and violence. I wish it were not so.The basic problem is the unwillingness of the Palestinians and Arabs to accept a Jewish State in the Middle East.

Palestinian PM is a good spin master or propogandist. There can be no Palestinian state withou Israeli aproval, without Israeli pulout what borders will Palestine control. Next which Arab state actually wants a Palestinian state. Jordan is afraid a Palestinian state will be the destruction of Jordan, Egypt won't even open its border in Gaza to Palestinians. Syria will except Palestine as a province of Syria. Palestinian economy is mostly agriculture, whatever products they manufacture is substandard most going to Israeli markets which will be closed immediately upon declaration of state. Palestine will be supported by the world, that is not independence. It is a nice dream, but then again there is reality face that first.

They don't want a state, they want to complain about not having a state. They don't want peace, they want murder. They don't want freedom they want fascism.

You seem to have some quite racist ideas going on over there. Your argument is that Palestinians don't deserve a country because there are plenty of other countries in which some of the people believe in the same religious story as some of the Palestinians? Get real. I suppose we could just shut down Australia then and you would happily relocate to South Africa, Colombia or whatever? Your silly notion that the fact that most Muslim countries are dictatorship somehow proves that Muslims are unworthy or incapable of democracy shows off the same kind of supremacist tendencies as those so worshipped in the fascist states of the last century. Thankfully in this century you are just part of a dangerous minority.

I've been following Fayyad for years and I think he's bound to become the next PM of Palestine, the only person who might actually deliver. I for one accept his program, but I think he dismisses too easily the Gazan problem. Hamas will do everything to torpedo a peaceful solution, and they are stronger in the West Bank than people think. I don't see how a viable Palest. state can emerge without Gaza with its million and half population. THIS is the real challenge and there is no use to brush it aside, neither for us nor for the moderate Palestinians.

There already is one, it's called Jordan. We don't need a second terrorist Palestinian in the region.

If Israel had a leader he would shake this man by the hand, sit down and sign a peace treaty. Fayyad is saying what Israelis have been wanting to hear for a very long time. It is time to stop letting the extremists who speak in G-ds name or he in theirs, dictate what is happening, it is time for the silent majority, those of us who want to live our lives in peace and act decently towards our neighbors to stand up. What a pity that we have a leader who does no more than give a rather good impression of a balloon that has lost its knot and is futting around making rude noises on its way to the trash can of history.

because anything fired at Israel will do away with any arab palestinian state.(It's called geography.) If Fayyad even wants to survive, instead of cheerleading as Obama slaps Israel around, he should be pressuring Obama to stop Iran. (Where I come from, Fayyad's stupidity is called shooting one's self in the foot.)

The combined land size of Arab countries is 650 times the size of Israel -- i.e., Israel is the size of New Jersey, and the Arab countries are the size of the United States, all of Central America, and Mexico combined. * Arab dictators control 13,486,861 Square Kilometers in the Middle East, and Israel controls 20,770 (Palestinefacts.org) * The Population of Israel is roughly 6 Million, compared to the Population of 300 Million living in the surrounding Arab countries What exactly are the 'Palestinians' suppose to gain in reality by having their own state - are they going to achieve something that their 300 million brethren have failed to achieve over the last one hundred years. Once the initial euphoria has died down and they come to the sinking realisation that the new flag and president have not been able to resolve the unemployment; health; education and corruption issues, they will do what all their neighbors dream of - settling in Europe!

All the propagnda (or wishful thinking) in the world will not avail them, Allah be praised.

The combined land size of Arab countries is 650 times the size of Israel -- i.e., Israel is the size of New Jersey, and the Arab countries are the size of the United States, all of Central America, and Mexico combined. * Arab dictators control 13,486,861 Square Kilometers in the Middle East, and Israel controls 20,770 (Palestinefacts.org) * The Population of Israel is roughly 6 Million, compared to the Population of 300 Million living in the surrounding Arab countries What exactly are the 'Palestinians' suppose to gain in reality by having their own state - are they going to achieve something that their 300 million brethren have failed to achieve over the last one hundred years. Once the initial euphoria has died down and they come to the sinking realisation that the new flag and president have not been able to resolve the unemployment; health; education and corruption issues, they will do what all their neighbors dream of - settling in Europe!

...now back them with action. Fatah spent so many years not building Palestinian society, and just lining their own pockets - will they now actually step up and lead....and stop finding reasons not to talk.

any state that has no control over its population and cannot enforce its laws is, by definition, a mickey mouse state. it will be a state in name only, a state of anarchy that is on the dole of the international community. m-i-c k-e-y m-o-u-s-e.

No country recignises Israel as The Jewish State any more than we recognise Iran as The Islamic State. The UK doesn't, the US doesn't, China doesn't, Russia doesn't etc. We recognise Israel as a state of its Israeli citizens, both Jewish and Arab. If Israel then wants to discriminate against non-Jews that's Israel's choice. The Pals have already said they'll recognise Israel but not as The Jewish State. Israel can call itself The Anti-Pork State or The Pink with Blue Dots State or anything it likes really. The world doesn't reciognise that. It recognises Israel.

That can only happen if the US government will FINALLY say ENOUGH to the Israeli. This land does not belong to them and their arrogant policy should find an end. THE WORLD IS INDEED FED UP WITH THAT!

Brnd wants Israel to take the role reversal and become the Arab Armies of 1948 if Palestine gets recognition. Truman didn't need Saudi or Congressional approval in 48. Obama won't need Israeli or Congressional approval next year. He and Petra willing to fight to the last Israeli and Palestinian kid for the empire they don't live in..

... can't differentiate between vision & illusion. Q: Would you agree to leave the issue of jerusalem to a later stage of the process ? A-1: To you it ( jerusalem ) is as pretext not to negotiate. A-2: "not at all" it should be handled at the very beginning. Which of the two is the real answer ? It seems none of them ! If Israel is a pretext for not negotiating with the palestinians; how it will be "handled at the very beginning" ?! And when is that beginning and Abbas is refusing even to talk ?! To my knowledge Palestine has offices (embassies) in many countries and all of them are accepted by these countries in the world, what kind of a difference a 'declared state of Palestine' will be making than what it is now ?! Fayyad like all other palestinian leaders can't differentiate between vision & illusion !

I wish Palestinian people to have their state, in which they will exercise their unalienable right for self determination on their land, which must be democratic, prosperous and peaceful. Yes, radicals don't represent all of Israel. Most of Israelis recognize the rights of the Palestinian people and I hope, that, once the Palestinian state is established, the Palestinian discourse will change and most Palestinians recognize the same rights of the Jewish people.

All sounds too good. However, Fayyad's bottom line that all refugees should return shows what his real intentions are. What about reconciliation along with recognizing the Jewish state? I wish I could be more positive.

His answer to the last question gives up the right of return of millions of Palestinians !! Who authorized this man to do this?? He should go back to being a banker!!

They stated their opinion in their vote in the un, against thestate of Israel. When they lost diplomatically, they declared war with the intention of throwing the Jews to the sea and finish the job the Nazis started. You should read a history book and get educated. Jordan btw had conquered Jerusalem in 48, kicked the Jews, who had been living ther for thousands of years out, and destroyed all the sinagogues. Jerusalem was not meant to be Arab", but the un accepted the conquest. Israel conquered it from Jordan in 67 but let the Arabs stay. Slight difference. Israel annexed jrlm like the jordanians did. It was never palestenian.

Probably won't be in my lifetime but there will come a day when Palestinians will realize that they would have been better off working together with the Jews instead of relying on their Arab and Muslim brothers from neighboring countries, near and afar, who offer them nothing. The thought of an independent Palestine running the show in the mosques on the Tempe Mount will enrage them even further, if it does not already do today.

Israel wants the Palestinians to have a state more than anyone. But Jerusalem is Israel not Palestine. It never was and there is no reason it should be now.

Bitterness is not good for the health. Will you hear next year's celebrations for palestinian independance from Florida ? Hope you will.

If there is one thing the Arabs excel at it's projecting their prejudices and failures onto those around them. While the Arab (and wider Muslim) world are the most violent, xenophobic, and discriminatory societies in the world, they accuse the world of discrimination, violence, and xenophobia. Pathological.

"..There is a single nation in the world which wants to see the Arabs of Judea and Samaria driven out while those in Gaza are slowly starved to death..." there are atleast 20 nations in the world and atleast 800 million who want a nation to be wiped out. and there atleast 1 million people in the world who think some military 'genius' on this website is actually a lunatic. nd everyday these million people pray that God gives this lunatic some light.

This was the plan all along. Get as much as they can without signing a peace treaty and when they are ready just unilateraly declare a State. Terror will continue because they will not have Haifa and Tel Aviv.

Jews are generous and friendly. so Pals don't have to worry, they can build their country, portraying Israel as agressive and oppressive is a grave injustice to the Jews and their character

Be Happy

For me, some of Fayyad's comments might underestimate the complexity of the conflict and provoke hopeful visions for a Palestinian state. The latter is good to hope and look for the better employing this diplomatics mental model and the endeavor to build the basis of a state. But about underestimating the complexity of the conflict, Fayyad might need to rethink some of his ideas. By calling Israelis to go for hilltops and vacant space, he's just being humorous since this absolutely unacceptable by religious and extremist jews. The conflict is not about "housing" problems. Jews have lots of beliefs rooted in their religion such as the promised land, and when they refer to westbank as Juda and Samaria. HOWEVER, when I read this, I see the gap between hopeful Palestinian leadership and lets say complex-minded Israeli leadership such as Bibi, and Liberman. This shift in the mental models is a good sign for Pals to look forward; this is the kind of leadership we want.

PM Netanyahu is a Statesman. Mr.Fayyad is a well versed technocrat. Mr.Abbas is a politician. Politics in the Middle East, is definably and far more different than the normal and well known manner such as seen in the US, just in case you do not understand, I suggest a quick tour of the region. Let me give you a simple example. Afghanistan,continues to supply 90 of the Heroin worldwide. To the dismay of both Iran and Russia. 70.000 US military servicemen care not, for politics are made in Washington. That alone, is what you call cheap politics. That alone, shows how confused are certain US politicians. The ME political minefield is rife with corruption, terrorism,populism and all the trappings of fraudulent elections bad governance and above all blaming Israel for their own failures. Sure, its a bad neighborhood, then again the only solid, western educated boy in the hood is PM Netanyahu. Have a nice day.

The man actually gives me hope that he may be able to pull it off One thing is for sure, he comes across as a reasonable man who respects the Israeli position and truly does want to live in peace with his Israeli neighbours. An article like this shines a light on the current Israeli leadership and highlights how extremist and detatched from reality they have become. Fayyad is right, Netanyahu and his thugs cannot see beyond their master / slave narrative. Palestinian statehood is going to have to be imposed.

Some of us have not forgotten that the conflict is an Arab/Muslim alliance against Israel. Those poor weak Palestinians are anything but. They belong to the 110 plus million Arab world with an even greater number of Muslims, who plan to destroy the tiny Jewish nation. So any Israeli buying into Fayyad's softly spoken words that sound so non-violent, so "Western" are in for some big disappointments. Until Palestinians are ready to accept the Jewish nature of Israel, anything they say and do will not be for the dual benefit of both people.

Here is what will happen if Abbas and his PA make any move to declare independence without recognizing the Jewish State of Israel: 1. Israel will annex all the land that Jewish towns reside on. 2. Israel will annex a strip of land along the Jordan river, isolating PA from Jordan and the rest of the world. 3. Israel will seal its border crossings, harbors and airports to traffic in/out of "Palestine". 4. Israel will cut all power, water, fuel to PA state. 5. Nothing goes in or out of W. Bank or Gaza unless they demilitarize to Israel's satisfaction, recognize Jewish State of Israel, locate an embassy in its capital of Jerusalem. If "Palestinians" fantasize they will get anything more than this from a "unilateral declaration of independence", that Arab League or "the world" will solve all their problems for them on their terms, they've learned zero these past 63 years. Maybe Obama should admit to them he can't recognize their "state" without Congress approval - ain't gonna happen!

I really respect Fayyad,he has been working silencely for peace not only for Palestine.Come one Israelis, lets share everything in the holy land, coorporate and live in peace in two sates. This is the only way to fight extremists in both sides.

of Palestine. Israel wont be able to lobby any state to vote against it, not even USA. In fact I can bet Obama being among the first to recognise the new Palestinan State.

the first commanment and the second and the third and the forth

in the sheep pen

some of your land for peace. more of your land for peace, and finnaly, the rest of your land for peace.

The US didn't need Saudi approval to recognize Israel when Truman did. The US doesn't need your approval or Israeli approval to recognize Palestine next year if it is in US interest to do so. The Bush-Sharon damage to the Palestinian Authority in Gaza can eventually be undone.

Who is the one leader of the pals? ( will Fatah and Hamas have a duel to see who's the ONE boss?) Who has the power to stop the rockets that threaten Gaza? If the Pals think they can take what isn't theirs by violence, diplomacy, or whatever means , they have another thought coming. Jerusalem will never be ceded nor any part of Israel. The land belongs to Israel. No one but Israel can rule her own land and people. The Pals have stalled and rejected any plan for the entire duration of Israel's rebirth. This warmed up "Saudi Peace Plan, is DOA and is now left stinking & in ruins.

We would welcome such historical moment. A free, viable and independant palestine will bring peace and security to the region.

all very well saying this but as the Palestinians are now, this "State" will not function, and be at war with itself very early. And after years of aid, a state has different obligations and duties, aid is not forever. Looking at how they run things now and their non existant economy, it will be pure chaos and struggle. I doubt this very much. They have had years to show and make the necessary duties but failed (and always blamed Israel for it, which is very weak)

Yeah! Just look at what you are teaching your children...

He is just thinking what would better suits his business empire in the future, but not the future of the Palestinians in general. He was well trained in the USA to say what he is just saying. 99% of the Palestinians wanting peace too, but not one that leaves only a friction of that what they lost in 1948 to them. The only solution to this problem is ONE State for TWO people with equal rights. No other solution will ever work on the long run.

If Israel quit interfering in the daily lives of Palestinians in the occupied territories and quit making their police force impotent when it comes in at will to conduct "raids", maybe then you'll see a very efficient Palestinian government. Until then, the Palestinians have no power to do anything even in the West Bank where Israel has had peace for a couple years. The Palestinians can't even grant anyone a visa or entry into the West Bank without Israeli approval. It's cut up like cottage cheese with the roadblocks, now imagine how much worse it gets in Gaza when theyre' suffocated by Israel and Egypt? You may not like the fact that you have a Palestinian leader here who emphasizes what the Palestinians have been asking for. NOT ALL OF ISRAEL, but the occupied territories including East Jerusalem and the refugee issue wouldn't bother Israel since they'd be returning to a Palestinian state. However, the status quo will remain that ISRAEL DELAYS A FAIR SOLUTION TO THIS CONFLICT.

I doubt his will actually happen as their are too many ultra conservative Israelis and too many extremist Palestinians that have no real wish for a two state solution. But if this did happen I think the world would be a much better place. I too hope that this comes to pass, if this racial intolerance is ever beaten down I think they will find each other very close allies.

If the Palestinians declare statehood, I wonder how many Israeli Arabs will change and lose all their Israeli rights. I also wonder whether there will be a war over Jerusalem and whether the new state will include Hamas.

Which year, what year, it is already 60 years and no State, I think maybe in another 60 yrs.

maybe you can go to Uganda

i am very pleased that the arabs will leave and go to jordan and force out the dictator and and elect new ones. israel has waited for many years to have the arabs to agree to leave. now everyone can live in peace and be neighbors. please do not wait move now and israel will even supply buses and trucks to move your belongings.you can fight among yourselfs and kill each other and no one will bother you. moving to jordan where you belong will be something that everyone will cheer.

I hope there's a way to integrate rather than remove or desmantle. Why don't we build for palestinias as well? integrate them, and let's live side by side. improve their cities, neighborhoods and everything, in a gesture of grace and good-will. That shouldn't be so difficult to achieve. The world is waking to the singularity of Israel in the espiritual, psico and social level, a standart of hope for all humanity. So let's share, build instead of desmantle.

It's a pity Israel has no statesman of the caliber of Fayyad. Yesterday's article about the politician Netanyahu was a joke, there is only the politician. He was never a statesman and never shall be. Next Year - Palestine along side Israel. Get 'er done!

That is new, and yes I will be happy with that,

I believe you, but I will not be there, by now I have gotten used to the occupation and I speak Hebrew. I prefer it that way

How much longer will this nonsense of an arab-Pali state go on? Nobody in their right minds can possibly believe that the arabs can set up a real country without having it turn into utter and corrupt chaos and a terrorist camp that will drag the whole Middle East into war. The Saudis and Jordanians don't want a new arab country. Only the EU and US push for this..utterly ridiculous.

I hope this happens. The time is right. Enough is enough of the zionists stalling the peace process so they can squat on more land in the occupied zone illegally. The recognition of Israel in '48 was a unilateral process by the UN. It's time for the UN to complete the job and recognize the Palestinian State, based on the '67 border. As the Arabs had no say in '48, neither should the Zionists have no say this time round.

I look forward to seeing a sovereign state of palestine along a sovereign state of Israel. Two states for two peoples, do not let extremism come between us! Am yisrael chai!

despite the impressive pallet of verbal expression and thought this man has, he himself is too shortsided of what brought all of this about in 60 years. He says things like "I do not believe it should be allowed to spill over into other spheres like religion and culture".. And this is a blatant disregard to the origins of the conflict itself. It's casually saying "look, my forefathers in 1948 hated the smell of Jew blood, they hated the smell of it even more in 1967, but now that you guys have all the guns, the evolved society and we know we can't just push you into the sea, let's just forget about it and see eachother as equals ok?" Israeli's DO see Palestinians as equals, they just all happen to be holding Jordanian passports.. This man is smart, but he isn't realistic about the history of the people he's no characterizing as "moderate Jew loving Palestinians". I would believe him more if I heard it from at least 10 Palestinians on the street, not one in his position...

Continue like you have been pm of palestine and the only state you will have is a state of disaster for you and your people. Please, enough is enough from you. You have milked the sympathy from the world and pulled the wool over the eyes of the world just like the false one obama and the gig is up. But now people are waking up to reality about obama and the terrorist people of palestine and soon you will revert back to the bottom of the heap of world opinion.,

that there is a definite association that if the current pressure to secure a settlement freeze everywhere, including East Jerusalem, than seeking that objective in the political process wouldn't achieve it either. This is not a given. And it's not a board game or computer game which can predetermine an outcome. In the Israeli-Egyptian peace process, there were no preconditions to stop all construction activities in the Sinai before negotiations began and Israel returned the whole Sinai to Egypt and signed a peace agreement. However, one shouldn't argue against the core issues immediately being addressed during direct talks because deferring these difficult issues has been a mistake. One might be surprised as to what a particular government could deliver when there's open dialogue.

nation state of the Jewish people - based on UN resolutions!!! - and if only the Arabs accepted that a peace agreement would be the "end of the conflict", an accommodation of peaceful coexistence between Arab and Jew, between Israel and its Arab neighbors would have been here long ago. But the essence of the Arab Israeli conflict is the total and consistent refusal on the part of the Arabs to accept Israel's right to be, to exist as the nation-state of the Jewish people. Thus, the conflict is not likely to be over because it is so obvious, Israel can't afford the existence of a launching pad against its existence a handful of kilometers from Israel's heart.

I like Fayyad, but what happens when they absorp many Palestinians from other countries and the population keeps increasing? Fayyad is a brillant, sophisticated man who truly loves his people and is honest. He wants a just peace but is it really obtainable? The land to be Palestine is not big enough or have enough resources to accomodate a growing society. They can always join with Jordan, but what about the Palestinian Israeli citizens and the settlers who will become Palestinian citizens? Most likely they will have to form some type of country together where the Jewish part maintains it's identity and the Palestinian part maintains their identity and over-population by the Palestinians cannot destabilize Israel. Any suggestions? Israel and the future government of Palestine will have to come together eventually. If they can ever live in peace, they together will be the strongest, economic force and governments in the middle east.

Finally there is a hope that it will happen...G-D bless Palestine...Hope the palestineans continue to follow the path of Gandhi's non violent struggle which gave India its freedom from the British. the whole world is on the side of the palestineans & it seems that the americans have also come on board finally...i have great faith in Obama's determination to succeed in this endeavor.

This official was quoted and said the goal through birthrates and return of return of all the refugees would be to have two arab states and no jewish state when the arab majority takes over. Hezbollah and Iran will never recognize israel. Hamas riots over a synogague rebuilt in the old city. There will never be peace. PA and Hamas want all of the old city.

He is not about rhetoric and fanaticism but about a just peace between two people. He is credible, reasonable and fully knowledgeable of the facts on the ground. In contrast , look at the Israeli leadership.

to devide Jerusalem. Are you trying to ignore cultural or religious? Maybe you one of them who learn in school that their grandparents were orangutans.

Just imagine Mr Fayyad was Israel prime minister. Both Israel and Palestine would be better for it.

This is not their territory, it was never a country to begin with. They are just mad now that Jews control the land, not arabs. But they are forgetting one of the most important phrases relating to this topic and that is "spoils of war". They are crying to America to help them out, when the Americans got the land by taking it over in war. Plain and simple, THEY SHOULDNT GET THE LAND!!!

For the sake of discussion, let's assume (for now) that a baby is, in fact, on the way. This faces us with the question as to what the child will be: (a) Yeats' poetical "rough beast slouching toward Bethlehem to be born"; (b) some version of a messiah; (c) a mixture of both; or (d) none of the aforementioned? (Collaterally, the odds makers in Vegas are currently offering five to one that--whatever it turns out to be--it's sure to be offered a "book deal.")

Maybe PA should have Saudi give Israel east Mecca other wise PA not right ask for Jeroslam.

Shared values? Please! Based on what evidence. They will take their state and continue terrorism for their so-called right of return.

There is a single nation in the world which wants to see the Arabs of Judea and Samaria driven out while those in Gaza are slowly starved to death. ALL other nations want to see a Palestinian State within the 1967 boundaries of the West Bank and Gaza. As Israel absolutely refuses to accept anything less than everything. The the world will have to decide whether it needs peace or Israel. Which is a badly posed question because the World, Israel and Palestinians ALL need a Palestinian state.

Gongradulation: i recommend; AkivaEldar as foreign minister Gideon levy as assistant to PM Amira hass as PR minister (public relation (she can lie good) haaretz editorial as assistant tp president rest of haaretz writer as member of new state parlement good luck

Yes, Next Year in Palestine... It will be a beautiful state with olive trees, Islamic architecture, colorful tile, fountains, culture, and music- beautiful children with hope in their eyes.. A center of trade and tourism...Hope... The world needs Palestine.

please please please please please, let this be true. Palestinians need to govern themselves, Israel cannot do it for them. For the love of all that is good, let this happen. We may actually see peace when we've got two states, rather then one resistance force and one big military.