U.S. planning to restart Israel-PA talks based on '67 borders

Jacob wrote, "Our Endangered specie/people of Israel have enough Nukes to defend themselves." The USA has found by long experience that there is no such thing as a defensive nuke. What we do is a complex balancing act. We say "If you kill us we will kill you back afterward." And then we do complex risky brinksmanship. It is very expensive to be ready to kill nations after they kill us. It is even more expensive to attempt to shoot down nuclear missiles aimed at us. If there is a nuclear war in the middle east it will be bad for Israel's ecology, for the crops and the water table. And to the extent that Israel's contamination winds up in the mediterranean, Israel will not make any friends in any nation that has a mediterranean shoreline. I strongly doubt that Israel would survive for 20 years after an Israeli nuclear war, and no more than 50 years after an active nuclear diplomacy. But if Israel did choose to go their own way it would be good for the USA. So I mustn't complain.

It was only a matter of time for Israel when it has to come to terms with reality, the real reality of what it did to the Palestinians and their land, and not what some of its fanatics choose to think and pretend to be a reality - one of their delusional creation that satisfies their dogma and mentality. Any one in Israel, who doesn't realize the gravity of the situation and the depth of the horrific situation and the hole Israel has dug for itself, has major problems with facing up to reality, which is no longer acceptable by the decent world community. Those in Israel, who choose to bury their heads in the sand and pretend that the Palestinians somehow will disappear and their plight will be forgotton, aren't thinking of what's good for Israel, and just thinking of themselves and their warped dreams, which is harmful for Israel, its soul, legitimacy and any future it hopes to have in the region. It's high time that Israel thinks and acts like a grown-up and stop acting like a bully.

Israel appears to be at a crossroads of history, where it has to make a grown-up choice of what it wants, and what it can afford to do. Israel has a choice to make - one that it never had to make before, as it will have historical ramifications on its present, future, its standing in the world and its place in this world as the world's last occupation force or a legitimate country that wants to be accepted and respected. Israel must realize that it can't have its cake and eat it too. It can't have it its way, which is to give up practically nothing worth mentioning, and get the peace it wants with the Palestinians and its neighbors. It has to realize and accept the fact that it has to compromise and give the Palestinians a fair deal. Any thing short of that, Israel will continue to be a state in limbo, without inrenational legitimacy and recognition, without which it can't really feel like a real state - a state that it can be proud of and respected in the international community.

jerusalem should be controlled by the united nations,it is everybodys land not just isrealis and palistinians,christians also lay claim to it and dont forget that,go usa

Actually Mexico only had California from 1821 to 1846, or 25 years. That is less time than it was under Spanish rule. Spain established the Missions starting about 1769. So Spain had it for 56 years. It was "The Republic of California" for about 25 days. Then the USA came in during the Mexican-American War. California became a (free) state in 1850 and has been a US State ever since. So should it revert to Mexico? 25 years versus 160 years? Give the people the vote. We'll let the inhabitants of California vote whether to join Mexico and the inhabitants of Baja California vote whether to become US citizens. How do you think that will turn out? Prior to that time Spain, and England had explored, mapped and tried to lay claim. During the Mexican period Russia tried to establish a claim. 1967 is 42 years ago, just to give the question some perspective. There were about 15000 non-natives in California prior to 1848.

Hah. How many times have I said peace will only come with a return to the 1967 borders? Eretz Israel was simply a naive and silly dream by those of the diaspora. And hopefully, now this will end Israel's status as a beggar nation.

R: "Will the IDF/Settlers fire on UNIFIL/Nato troops that arrive to protect the unilaterally created and globally recognized Palestinian state?" No, if it ever reached that state of affairs then the IDF and the settlers will be much too busy shooting at each other. You know, as the whacko-right keeps attempting military coups against a civilian govt that has retreated back to the temporary shelter of Tel Aviv. Tho' Bibi will probably be hanging from a lamp-post somewhere....

c: "pre 1967 there was Jordan in the West Bank and East Jerusalem and Gaza was part of Egypt." Jordan was "in" the West Bank, but nobody recognized that the West Bank was legally the sovereign soil of Jordan. And Egypt NEVER claimed that Gaza was a "part of Egypt" i.e. Egypt never pretended to be anything other than an Occupying Power. c: "Do Egypt and Jordan want their territories back?" Egypt never pretended that it was ever "her territory". Jordan has now stopped pretending that it was ever "her territory". That leaves only two claimants, and only one of them is actually claiming that the territory belongs to them. The other "claimant" is merely insisting that territory must be ceded to it if this occupation is ever going to end. That is a subtle distinction (and the source of much confusion) but it is an important distinction nonetheless.

No, actually, that is not the position of the IHCJ. That court believes that the Knesset's "Law and Administration Ordinance" of 1948 (modified in 1967) has primacy over Int'l Law. The 1948 version said that Israeli law would apply to "any part of Palestine which the minister of defence has defined by proclamation as being held by the Defence Army of Israel." (i.e. Israel gobbles up territory when the IDF seizes it) The modified version: "The Law, jurisdiction and administration of the state shall apply in any area of Eretz Yisrael designated by the government by order." (i.e. Israel has a magic wand, and waving it is all that is required to turn "occupied territory" into "Israeli territory") The Court is merely recognizing that the Israeli govt waved that magic wand over East Jerusalem, but did not wave it over the rest of the West Bank. But you are wrong to imply that the Court has ruled that this Magic Wand is in any way a fake, or a confidence trick.

Will the IDF/Settlers fire on UNIFIL/Nato troops that arrive to protect the unilaterally created and globally recognized Palestinian state? And what will be the return fire policy of the occupational troops?

Can't say you didn't see this coming... nor can you claim ignorance of the situation. You were warned so many times by so many people. You chose to ignore your friends, and then spit in their faces.... and all they tried to do was get you to treat the Palestinian people as human beings, but you refuse to do so. First, the 67 borders, then the loss of military and financial aid. At that point, you are going to really feel the burn.

pre 1967 there was Jordan in the West Bank and East Jerusalem and Gaza was part of Egypt. No Palastine. Do Egypt and Jordan want their territories back? Will they guarantee their Jewish citizen's rights (the Jewish quarter was basically destroyed between 48 an67)????

No, actually, that is not the position of the IHCJ. That court believes that the Knesset's "Law and Administration Ordinance" of 1948 (and modified in 1967) has primacy over Int'l Law. The 1948 version said that Israeli law would apply to "any part of Palestine which the minister of defence has defined by proclamation as being held by the Defence Army of Israel." (i.e. Israel gobbles up territory when the IDF seizes it.) The modified version: "The Law, jurisdiction and administration of the state shall apply in any area of Eretz Yisrael designated by the government by order." (i.e. Israel has a magic wand, and waving it is all that is required to turn "occupied territory" into "Israeli territory") The Court is merely recognizing that the Israeli govt waved that magic wand over East Jerusalem, but did not wave it over the rest of the West Bank. But you are wrong to claim that the Court has ruled that the Magic Wand is a fake, and that the Magic Trick can't work.

CJ: "Not quite. There was no International recognition." Every country on earth EXCEPT Israel accepts that the Green Line will be the basis for the future border between Israel and a sovereign state of Palestine. That doesn't make the Green Line a de jure border, but it sure as heck makes them de facto borders. That's why nobody objects to any continued Israeli construction between the Partition Lines and the Green Line; not even Abbas.

to correct the poor understanding of some of you . the Cease-fire Line (green-line)Agreement says that the agreement signed between the two parties , might be in the future the basis for the parmanent borders between Israel and Jordan .

Ignorance is a terrible thing !Learn your history and only then have an opinion !

Bibi wants to "start" negotiations, instead of "picking up where it was left off" in Annapolis. What a pitiful leader. No wonder Israel has so many problems in the world.

The whole talk has nothing to do with borders . Arab acceptance of Israel at any border is the issue , the rest can be solved . This border talk is only a diversion from the real problem . Beside , Arabs are splintered beyond repair , and in any case they will continue to do what they do best , that is self destruct .

Sorry, CJ. The High Court Of Israel ruled in 2002 that: 1. Every piece of land East of the Green Line, as modified by the Armistice Agreement of 1967, is occupied territory; 2. that Israel is the belligerent occupier of said land; 3. that occupation does not constitute ownership; 4. that Israel has the right to erect walls for the express purpose of keeping suicide bombers out of Israel; 5. That interference by the IDF in the lives of Palestinians beyond what is absolutely necessary to protect the State of Israel from suicide bombers is disproportionate. This decision does not set the borders of Palestine; but it does fix the border of Israel at the Green Line. The territory to which you refer is not Israeli territory. It is Israeli occupied territory. There is a difference. That the government of Israel ignores the rulings of its own High Court and pretends that Palestine belongs to Israel has nothing to do with the legality of the ruling.

"Israel is costing americans money and negative support around the world siding with Israel and as a vet I am tired of it, truely I am." Hey, Fred! I was too young for WWII, 4F for Korea, too old for Vietnam. But I have watched this crap go on all my life, and I, too, am sick of it! Time to bust up the industrial complex. They are the only ones who profit from these wars. So Go, 101! and while you're at it you might drop in (no pun intended) on some of those professional warmongering lobbyists in Washington. Impress upon them the reality that the USA stopped making legitimate war on 15 Aug 1945.

Israel's Police and the Palestinian Police are both sufficient for any enforcement of relocation of Jewish homesteaders that end up being outside whatever new boundaries are eventually established. United States has your General Keith Dayton working with the Jordanians and the Palestinians to build up their capabilities (along with CIA assistance). You don't want US troops to be further involved than they already are, trust me.

in 1949 Israel knew the Green line was not it's border. http://wp.me/pDB7k-l5 //3. With regard to the territorial adjustments of which the Commission treats in Chapter II of it?s memorandum, the Delegation of Israel considers that in addition to the territory indicated on the working document annexed to the Protocol of May 12, all other areas falling within the control and jurisdiction of Israel under the terms of the armistice agreements concluded by Israel with Egypt, the Lebanon, the Hashemite Jordan Kingdom and Syria should be formally recognized as Israeli territory. The adjustment of the frontiers so created will be subject to negotiation and agreement between Israel and the Arab Government in each case concerned.// The commission told Israel to go read the armistice agreements

'cause it's based on fallacies. "Nowhere in Israel`s Declaration of Independence is there any mention of borders. Resolution 181 is referred to as providing legal legitimacy for establishing a Jewish State." Quite. Res 181 and ALL it contains. It can't just be cherry picked. " The League of Nations Mandate is also referred to in this regard. The latter document set the boundaries of the Mandate so as to encompass all of present day Israel, Gaza and the West Bank. " Expcept the Mandate was for a Jewish Homeland in a Palestinian state. " the Declaration does not assert that Israel`s borders are as specified in the Mandate or by Res 181." This does - http://wp.me/pDB7k-gm "The moment they invaded was the moment the recommendations made by Res 181 about the borders was rendered un-implementable." Care to show some evidence in law of that assertion.

the boundaries. The boundaries were declared per UN res 181. Boundaries are set regardless of the Govt, which was at that time a Provisional Government. De Jure recognition was of the elected GOVERMENT http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/History/dejure.html "Arafat`s recognition of Israel in 1993 made the 1967 lines the de facto border of Israel" Not quite. There was no International recognition. Israel is a Sovereign State. An International entity. Res 242 and 338 were between existing Sovereign states. International entities. Not between Israel and Palestine. http://wp.me/pDB7k-hR If Res 242 & 338 are to be used as the starting points for negotiations, Sovereign boundaries must be examined. The Arab states Sovereign boundaries with the Palestinian territories are not in dispute. Only Israel's sovereign boundaries are a consideration between it and the Palestinian territories.

Letter From the Agent of the Provisional Government of Israel to the President of the United States, May 15, 1948 “MY DEAR MR. PRESIDENT: I have the honor to notify you that the state of Israel has been proclaimed as an independent republic within frontiers approved by the General Assembly of the United Nations in its Resolution of November 29, 1947, and that a provisional government has been charged to assume the rights and duties of government for preserving law and order within the boundaries of Israel, for defending the state against external aggression, and for discharging the obligations of Israel to the other nations of the world in accordance with international law. The Act of Independence will become effective at one minute after six o’clock on the evening of 14 May 1948, Washington time.” Under International Law Israel could not become a sovereign state without clearly defined borders. You can clearly see Prophet they accepted and agreed to those as stated in 181.

All the Palestinians. There is only one Palestine, and it includes all of Gaza and all of the West Bank. If Israel doesn't want to accept the 67 borders then it should realize it could end up with the 48 norders, which actually is the only legal boundary. Abbas and Obama are being extremely generous.

Nowhere in Israel`s Declaration of Independence is there any mention of borders. A letter, dated May 14, 1948 by Eliahu Epstein, Agent of the Provisional Government of Israel to the President of the United States reads as follows: My dear Mr. President: I have the honor to notify you that the state of Israel has been proclaimed as an independent republic within frontiers approved by the General Assembly of the United Nations in its Resolution of November 29, 1947... In response, Truman approved to recognize not the new Jewish state as drafted but changed the recognition in handwriting into the State of Israel.

I have seen this nonsense go on all my life and I am tired of it. Time to send in my old unit from nam, the 101st airborne, and kick out the settlers and keep you people apart. Israel is costing americans money and negative support around the world siding with Israel and as a vet I am tired of it, truely I am.

"Just run out the clock.The focus is now on Iran and it`s proxies" Israel doesnlt really give a hoot about Iran, She knows Iran will not attack Israel. HOWEVER, if the world can be conned into believing that Iran is a mean, old, evil, bloodthirsty, warmongering, despicable, conniving, grinch-like ogre, hell bent on destruction, then perhaps the world will stop noticing what Israel is doing to the Palestinians! Yeah! Yeah!

"Netanyahu`s attempt to ... forget and nullify all peace negotiations worked out between his predecessors and the Palestinians is a blatant fraud." But if only Abbas is dumb enough to fall for it (which he is not!) then perhaps he will also be dumb enough to cede settlement land to Israel! Then Israel gets a bit more of what it wants. Unfortunately for Israel, Bibi's thinking is bound up in four realities - hook or crook, the con game, money, brute force - and the myth that these are the only ways to get what you want. The other half of the reality is that this has been a losng propostition from the very start.

The Dutch bought Manhattan. And in maine, they recently re-settled the land claims. The tribes agreed, for a price, to let the white man keep the 70 percent of the state that the courts had ruled was stolen. The only open dispute is in the Hamptons on Long Island.

1949 armistice torn up oslo 1993 torn up san remo 1920 torn up jordan israel 1995 torn up article 80 uncharter torn up anglo american convention 1924 torn up unscr242/338 torn up 1

"to ask for such lines = which were never borders but armistice lines is stupid." JO is right. The armistice lines are not a border. The border of Israel was set in 1948 -the Green Line. Israel knows that she will never legally acquire land outside the Green Line unless the Palestinians cede it to her. And that they will never do. So lets fool everyone by starting over, carefully avoiding all previous agreements. If anyione is fool enough to agree to that, then perhaps Israel can construct a legal claim. Unfortunately, Abbas is not the fool Netanyahu likes to think he is; neither is Fayad; nor Haniyeh, nor the Islamic Jihad which doesn't give a hoot about borders, anyway. Once again Bibi beats his forehead against the stone wall of common sense, hoping against hope that things will be different this time. So round and round she goes once more .....

tell me what you plan to do with the gentile population of greater israel/palestine,and i'll tell you how fanciful/illusory your plan is.

Nowhere in Israel's Declaration of Independence is there any mention of borders. Resolution 181 is referred to as providing legal legitimacy for establishing a Jewish State. The League of Nations Mandate is also referred to in this regard. The latter document set the boundaries of the Mandate so as to encompass all of present day Israel, Gaza and the West Bank. But the Declaration does not assert that Israel's borders are as specified in the Mandate or by Res 181. Israel's Declaration of Independence expresses a willingness to co-operate with the UN in implementing Res 181, but that willingnes was not reciprocated by the Arab states which chose instead to invade Palestine. The moment they invaded was the moment the recommendations made by Res 181 about the borders was rendered un-implementable.

I need help from some Americans please. I want to start a fund for the dispossed American Indians to take back Manhattan and everything else that was stolen from them. Whats the address to do this.

The feasting of the wolves on the 1967 crap has begun. It is reflected in the postings and the machineries behind them as if it will bring peace. There is alot of fantasy on this than reality. And there is alot of Taqiyya and machinations behind the scene.

Council. May 14th 1948. http://tinyurl.com/yjgh5lj But don't feel too bad. We have a homeland state with more than enough room for the all the Jewish folk on the planet and if Go/-d bitches about it, just ask him where he was during the Holocaust!

SB: "How about they go back to the original UN Partition? After all the Zionist agreed to accept it back in 1947." Shhhhhh. You Must Not Mention That. Cipora wants to argue that **if** the Green Line is non-existent then Israel is free to draw its own borders, and then to refuse to end this occupation until the Pals agree to that (newly-drawn) line in the sand. Untrue. If Israel wants to argue that the Green Line is NON-EXISTENT then there **is** an alternative, and you have correctly identified it: the Partition Plan lines. You Must Never Mention That Again. It makes Cipora's head hurt.....

'Either accept the 1967 borders now or accept the 1867 borders later.' Strictly speaking Les, that is one CHOICE! (A choice between A and B). That pernickity point aside, agree with you entirely!

"Until then Jordan was the main ruler of the land (48-67)" Annexed as a temporary trustte. Demanded by the Arab States. "Egypt ruled Gaza." Occupied Gaza. As agreed between Israel and Egypt. "All domains won in the war of 48" It is inadmissible to acquire territory by war. "Israel will be fair and just " Uh huh. Since when has it ever shown it can be?

J: "why the `67 lines" Because in 1993 the PLO recognized the state of Israel and agreed to negotiate with it on the basis of the 1967 lines. The PLO will find it extremely difficult to retract that recognition. J: "Why not the May 1948 borders set by Israel at the birth of their country?" See above. The lines set in the Partition Plan remain Israel's de jure borders - even to this day - but Arafat's recognition of Israel in 1993 made the 1967 lines the de facto border of Israel. The PLO will have to find some way to retract that 1993 statement (and that would be very, very difficult, if not suicidal) before it could argue again for the Partition Plan lines.

The PA is generous but foolish in offering the Green Line as the (basis of the) border. Whatever Israel's emotional and historical wish-dreams, it is not legally entitled to ANY land beyond its May 1948 border. Why should it profit from illegal land seizure, entirely contrary to international law? With any other nation, Abbas's generosity would be recognised and would help to bring negotiations to a speedy and successful conclusion. But not with Israel. Give them an inch and they take a yard (or three). Are they happy to be offered this extra free land that they don't even have to PAY for? Nope, not at all, they already take it for granted, pretend to believe that they are somehow entitled to it and even want ANOTHER 7.5-8.5% of Palestine on top! (As well as wriggling out of compensating refugees, etc.). The PA is being far too soft on this. When dealing with snakeoil salesmen, it is best to start by giving NOTHING away up front.

"When America gives California and Texas back to Mexico" You know nothing about your own country? Sheeeeesh. The ignorance of those who support Israel's illegal acquisition of territory abounds!! ". There are half a million Israelis living on the West Bank. What happens to them?" They can go live in Israel, instead of Palestine as they are now. "And what are the Palestinians offering in return for this proposal? (hint: nothing)" Hint..they have nothing of Israel's. "And what if the Palestinians did offer something.. Like "walk all over us! Please!!"?

The Arab and Muslim obsession with destroying Israel (if anyone doubts this please stand up), will be tied directly into any agreement. This means that we can never go back to the 1967 border as it was. So Abbas, if you are unable to make the appropriate land swap and land share decisions then step aside already and stop wasting everybody?s time.

The ones who want Jerusalem or the crazies in Gaza who want to get rid of Israel?

The US long ago made peace with Mexico and they are not asking for return of either California or Texas. Texas and California both were not taken by the US anyway. Both were independent Republics who later joined the US. But if you are anxious to become a citizen of Mexico, it's only about 100 miles south on Interstate 5 or US 101. Feel free to move. The US has no exit restrictions.

If, as you rightly pointed out, they existed at least from 1949 to 1967, then what's wrong with calling them the 67 borders? Surely it doesn't matter much, as long as it is clear what is being talked about? You could call them the "pre-6 Day War Borders", but that's a bit longer without bringing much benefit. The main thing is that they represent the internationally recognized borders of Israel, which might be expected to be an important matter to those who support the existence of Israel and want it to be recognized by others. In fact, calling those borders fake is dangerously close to those who talk about the "Zionist Entity" and do not accept its existence. Imagine what calling them fake would have sounded like at any time between '49 and '67!

Well, if this isn't just the occasion for Obama to finally earn his Nobel Peace Prize. Get the Israelis off their high horse and agree to freezing settlement construction so negotiations can be finalised, hopefully before he leaves office.

You are correct, the 1967 borders are non-existent. The only internationally recognized borders of the State of Israel are those defined in UN Res 181. It states: C. DECLARATION A declaration shall be made to the United Nations by the Provisional Government of each proposed State before independence. It shall contain, inter alia, the following clauses: General Provision The stipulations contained in the Declaration are recognized as fundamental laws of the State and no law, regulation or official action shall conflict or interfere with these stipulations, nor shall any law, regulation or official action prevail over them. It is time Israel is held accountable to her Declaration of Independence: THE STATE OF ISRAEL is prepared to cooperate with the agencies and representatives of the United Nations in implementing the resolution of the General Assembly of the 29th November, 1947, and will take steps to bring about the economic union of the whole of Eretz-Israel. Israel became a member of the United Nations on 11 May 1949. The preamble to the resolution admitting Israel to United Nations membership specifically referred to Israel?s undertakings to implement General Assembly resolutions 181 (II) and 194 (III), the two resolutions that formed the centre of the Palestine issue in the United Nations

The 1967 armistice line has always rested on the solid foundation of international law, establishing it as the legal barrier to any Israeli settlement beyond it. It has always proclaimed to Israel's "settlements enterprise": "No tresspassing, violators will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law". Thus it is the bedrock for defining or negotiating any sound and regionally and internationally recognized border

the 67 lines were made by war brought about Arab armies. Until then Jordan was the main ruler of the land (48-67), Egypt ruled Gaza. 48-67. All domains won in the war of 48. War changed everything, so to ask for such lines = which were never borders but armistice lines is stupid. Is Egypt asking for Gaza back? Jordan for it's area? The PA never won anything and relies on western aid for everything and when given the change could not even build and showcase their abilities as when they had Gaza, Israel will be fair and just but the PA and it's internal problems - division in ideology and strife such as in Gaza where they were brutally ousted by their fellow Muslim brothers, gives us no hope at all and no reason to trust them.

Why not the May 1948 borders set by Israel at the birth of their country? Any land taken after that is contrary to International Law. Should countries be rewarded for ignoring the law?Israel should be made to comply with the law as should every other country. Compliance with law defines our civility. Ignoring them defines our barbarism. The people living in the "West bank" may be Jewish, but so what! Their can be citizens of different religions in the New Palestine. If I go and steal a car and keep it for a long period of time, does it become mine? What if my family is living in it, does that preclude returning the car to it's owner? Is Israel above International Law?????

"1967 borders are non-existent. these so-called borders are cease fire lines. " How about they go back to the original UN Partition? After all the Zionist agreed to accept it back in 1947.

The Palestinian position of respect for the 1967 armistice line as defining Palestinian rights under international law to freedom from colonization, notably by Israel's systematic "settlements enterprise", rests on unshakable global moral and legal foundations. This principle has always been the only avenue towards a comprehensive and lasting peace settlement, from the moment that Israel's top legal advisor backed this principle to Israel's leadership in the aftermath of the 1967 war. Israel has smart lawyers, smart enough to know right from wrong. Netanyahu's attempt to change the definition of the "peace proccess" to forget and nullify all peace negotiations worked out between his predecessors and the Palestinians is a blatant fraud.

Well the world world has been waiting for this obvious approach and finally the Obama administration may have realised that this is also the only option for a lasting peace. The current government in Israel has no plans for peace.

There are 2 scenarios and both involve lots and lots of US dollars! 1. Israel has to be bribed with promises of financial and lots of other aid from the US 2. The US has to threaten to withdraw existing aid if Israel doesn't comply. Either way, Israel can be bought but the price will be high.

At last. Negotiations will happen. Israel will balk. The world community will decide on what to do. This will finally bring about the weaning of Israel off the tit of US taxpayers, and the end of the US embarrassing itself with the special diplomatic support it has afforded Israel for way too long. Good luck to Israel.

Israel has a requirement to roll back behind its declared Sovereign borders as declared in its Sovereignty Declaration....those borders were defined as those contained in Resolution 181. Israel publically agreed to and accepted and declared those to be its official borders.

Israel refuses to? How bout a reminder of the most recent, hoped to be successful peace talks, at camp david in 2000, where prime minister ehud barak offered arafat 97% of the west bank (with removal of all settlements built there), the entire gaza strip, and even east jerusalem, with exclusive access to the temple mount Not only did arafat Refuse the offer FLAT OUT on behalf of the palestinians, he didnt even offer a counter offer!

What a great idea. Start talking about another kind of negotiations. That'll take care of the next six months. And then after that? Change everything around and start talking about a different kind of negotiations. Just one thing: make sure that neither side ever sits down and agrees to anything. Not for a million years. You don't have to. The suckers will keep believing the push-offs forever!! Long live talking about negotiations!!!

Perhaps if the Arab states had accepted ANY of the peace conditions, offered between 1967 and 1970, we would not have fanatical Jewish and Muslim zealots, the Arab Christians would not have been exiled to Detroit and Dallas... Sure, we can talk '67. But this is as pointless an exercise as any until rational behavior strikes ALL sides of the Middle East. Until then, all years are but numbers, and negotiations, promises and treaties but hot, vibrant air.

Die with it. Our Endangered specie/people of Israel have enough Nukes to defend themselves. They can easily come of the endangered Species list. Give the rest of the World a freakin Break. Enough holocaust mileage- its getting old.

Mitchell is probably wasting his time. But why not give it one more try. Israel will probably have another round of elections before anybody is ever successful. The Palestinians won't go to elections because the occupying power won't be guaranteed the result. Netanyahu's announced intent that no Palestinian state would have independence or sovereignty will likely guarantee failure of the effort. It is also doubtful that the PLO will agree to recognize the right of Israeli conquest. Prediction - Stalemate.

The USA taking advantage over the yellow cowards (Israeli Leadership) will push the 67 border as a basis for the new arab country. The USA Egypt and France have seen and felt that they have failed completely in thier so called PEACE TALKS are now attempting a new angle to interfere against Israel The islamic american president has no limits in his endeavours against Israel

"The United States and Egypt, along with France, are planning a joint move to restart Israeli-Palestinian talks on the basis of the June 4, 1967, borders, territorial exchanges and a complete freeze of construction beyond the Green Line, including East Jerusalem." Soooooooo, the only conclusion that can be drawn from that quote is that Abbas has been brought into the loop, and Netanyahu has been left out. How else can you explain Abbas' recent statement (which is completely in line with that quote) versus Netanyahu's recent statements (which are totally at odds with that quote).... Bibi has overstepped the mark, and now he is about to pay the price.....

Israel has two choices. Either accept the 1967 borders now or accept the 1867 borders later. "Greater Israel" is both morally wrong and physically unsustainable.

Obama's lead in this is dangerously pernicious. The man has no empathy for the Jewish state, is driven by ideological dictate and if this is true, will be the death of Israel. Wake up all you blinkered people.

What does that mean, exactly? That Israel will negotiate a peace treaty with the Palestinians and then continue to steal their land afterwards? What grotesque joke. How about Israel starts abiding by same rules and laws that all other states are expected to adhere to and end its colonization of Palestinian land completely - for good?

There is no such thing as "1967 borders" The borders are actually 1949 borders, due the cease fire talks, which froze the lines existing at the time

1967 borders are non-existent. these so-called borders are cease fire lines. any other presentation pre-judges the outcome of negotiations.

Shlomo ben ami said if he were palestinian he too would've rejected the deal barrak offered at camp david....lets not kid ourselves about what barrak ''offered'' at camp david.

There has been too much focus on settlement building and not enough on the end game; and if this report is accurate, then pleasingly the US has also come to that conclusion. Whether Arafat truly declined this offer, or whether Sharon's stated intention to derail the deal on taking power did so, is moot. The fact that Israel pretends it would have accepted the deal is now beneficial, as it will make it harder for it to squirm out from it this time.

Endless circle around boring game. Each Israeli government void the reached agreements of predator. Since Rabin time when the negotiation reach a certain ?close to achieve ?agreement ,something happen to the Israeli prime Minister, a corruption or sex scandal story to neutralize him and a new election complain start .The new elected government want fresh peace negotiation start without precondition and from point zero again. This is a well planned tactic by Israeli .Just follow the negotiation history ,it is well evident and some morons still believe on this fairy tale peace negotiation. Netanyahu wasn?t elected to sign a peace deal, this is written in his forehead. Years of negotiation didn?t achieve nothing, and Abbas want to struck a deal in 6 months with who // Netanyahu!! Society that 78% of its population support the extreme far right is a sick

I realize America always planing it should plan to mind its own business but of course we all know it would never plan to do that but planing to re start peace talks see,ms to be a trend plan it has nice always showing how it may demand Israel concede every thing but some day Israel may decide it has had enough with the concede every thing plan and so it is December 2009 sound symbolic does to me 2010 does also too the West Bank is not just Palisteinian land Israel has grown in the last 100 years it needs land the Palisteinians have land from Moroco to Afghanistan hardly needs the West Bank RIGHT ??? Thank You... M. S.

Sounds exactly like what Arafat rejected when Clinton put it together at end of his Presidency and had Israel's agreement. We'll see if Abbas is any smarter than his predecessor was.

it is stupid people like who don't want peace but are just jewish extremists. Time has come if israel continues to defy than it will pay economically & politically.

I agree that when Israel goes back to 1967 (after the 6-diays war not before) the USA also go back to the 1767 borders and finally cease to exist. Who needs them, when the Obama regime only wants to finish the sale of Israel it promissed to its Arab friends to get oil and money (which they do not have!).

1. Never believe anything an Egyptian offical says is the position of America, only an American can do that. 2. Its easy to be generous with someone else's land. When America gives California and Texas back to Mexico, then maybe we can talk. 3. There are half a million Israelis living on the West Bank. What happens to them? 4. And what are the Palestinians offering in return for this proposal? (hint: nothing) 5. And what if the Palestinians did offer something in return, could they keep their promise? (hint: their society is so dysfunctional that any promises they might make are worthless) 6. Palestinians can't even agree on anything with Hamas, how can they reach agreement with Israel? 7. Hamas doesn't go along with this proposal.

and now back to 1967 borders. I don't think so

This is the basic formulation accepted by everyone (even Israel) But Israel is the only one that can make it happen but refuses to.

To go back to 67 Borders when your own ally barely makes steps for allowing the creation of the Palestinian state. You might as well just acknowledge that your ally never wanted peace and this is all just for political image. Israel only wants territory. That's a fact.

A good start, but I'll bet the farm that "Bibi" and the orthodox will have none of it. Jews around the world should get behind this, for the next US administration, no doubt more influenced by AIPAC, will not be so involved in the peace process. Anti-semitism will abate, but only if Israel abides by the present demands.

Do not give one piece of dirt to anyone. It is God's Land... Your people died for that land.

Do not give one piece of dirt to anyone. It is God's Land... Your people died for that land.

The 1967 border is the appropriate starting point for negotiations. "Conditions on the ground" was a defeatist approach for Palestine because it put Palestine at a disadvantage. Palestine still needs a super power sponsor to assure Israel's might does not force Palestine into being trampled. A contiguous, viable Palestine must come into existance without being occupied by the IDF and without the threat of Israeli settler violence. Jerusalem can and should be the capitol of both peoples, with it becoming a internationally ruled city if necessary. There is hope.

Give them the White House number. Walk away until both sides want to talk under US conditions. If neither sides wants it,so be it. One state is about all Israel can do at this point. They've pretty much precluded two states west of the Jordan. Besides, Netanyahu won't allow independence of sovereignty to be on the table.