Editorial / U.S. is proving it wants Mideast peace - now it's Israel's turn

SDHD: "What`s preventing the Palestinians from 'compromising' on a small percentage of the territories?" In 1993 the Palestinians compromised by agreeing to give up MORE THAN 50% of the territory that they are legally entitled to claim for their "Arab state". A territorial concession of OVER 50 PERCENT, an immensily generous offer that completely dwarfes any "concession" that has ever been "offered" by any Israeli govt. And SDHD's response amounts to: Is that all? So when will you offer me some more? It'd be laughable, only he is quite serious.... The man is a caricature of the greedy zionist: It's never "what have you done for me?". It's always "but what have you done for me lately?". It's the pathetic bleatings of an insufferably greedy man....

The situation has dramatically changed as compared to ten years ago. Most people in Europe and the USA now think Israel does not want peace and has chosen occupying Palestinian land and developping illegal settlements there over peace. Israel must make a move, show it does want peace more than it wants to keep occupying its neighbor. Otherwise people in the West will keep on seeing Israel as an occupier which refuses peace and endangers all Westerners in the world because of the frustration it creates in the Arab world. Time to go back to Rabin times, when Israel's image was that of a respectable, democratic state seeking peace.

"Israel always tried for peace" - some idiot named ks from la in ca. Would you mind citing some evidence? Forty years ago Israel wanted peace. Now all it wants is Judea and Samaria. I have proof. Just look at what has happened since Rabin was murdered by a Likudnik for wanting peace.

The Palestine / Israel situation to many seems to have started yesterday but not so. We are told in Genesis 21 that Ishmael started to bully Isaac when they were still young and probably back in their mom?s belly spiritually. When Ishmael and her mother left with Abraham's blessings Gen 21:14, God already had revealed Ishmael?s future Gen 16;12, a hard truth to swallow. Today Ishmael will easily blow himself as well as his brothers us without a second thought and does not seem to have a friend until the messiah comes, always looking for somebody to afflict by instruction. This brings us to the point, can Ishmael in his present state be trusted for an agreement or managed to do minimal damage by our obedience? The coming of Jesus Christ and the kingdom of God in the Christian way if well understood and accepted brought a new dimension to the future of not only Ishmaels but also Isaacs of the world. The called Isaacs and Ishmaels should now understand the God of truth and the new mandate, the message of hope and peace to the world. Therefore the bottom line is either management or understanding and acceptance of the truth of the Gospel, this is on track according to time plan. True God, open our eyes to not only manage the situation but also to preach the Gospel of truth.

one of the main ongoing problems that exist are articles that state that "the Israeli government must invest every effort in convincing its own citizens". that "its Israels turn". why is it always the Israelis turn? Why do we only see articles from what Israel needs to do or to stop doing? do you not write articles how it's the arabs turn or how the arabs need to convince the Israelis or even something like the arabs need to end their incitment and recognize Israel as the Jewish state. that the arbs need to recognize & respect jewish places of worship and historical connection to this land. Once this happens, I'm sure it would be a lot easier for the Israeli's to again have hope here. its the arbs that need to start doing the convincing here and not just to the Israelis. They need to tell their own the real reality. The arbs can't talk about thier rights & of the respect they demand but also state that when the Israelis demand the same, Israel is destroying any chance of peace.

It's the kind of prediction that you are making that will make the peace process futile. You are quoting a Jihadist idea of reestablishing the Muslim Khalifate. Not all the Muslims are Jihadists, nor are all committed to the destruction of Israel, although many are. A successful peace accord - although tentative in nature - will disarm the extreme Muslim forces. The average Psalestinian is sick and tired of the conflict, and wants to live in peace while maintaining some dignity. Instead of projecting defeat (of the peace initiative) put your energy into achieving a positive outcome. Do you really prefer an eternal warfare?

Wecan2 1:)"But with the exception of the Sephardim, the "ancestral homeland" of today`s Israelis is Europe." The Torah, Bible and Quran spoke of Bnie Israel not Sephardim or Ashkenasim. Ashkenasim are also part of Bnie Israel so therefore The Holy land is eqaully thier ancestoral land 2) Palestinians are not native to the land of Palestine They came from syria Jordan Egyhpt mainly. Plo commmittee anounced to the world Palestnians people never existed they are Jordanians etc 3) What "occupation did Israel ever do When Arab league Refused 2 state solution in 1917 1929 & 1947? Instead of peace they began killing Jews who Were already living in Palestine They kicked out Jews from Gazaa in 1929 Arab riots . 4)Can I ask you was it legal for arabs to start war on Israel in 1948 1956 1967 1973? And why did International law apply only to Israel and was only created After Jews won a defensive war against Arab nations ?

The Palestinians are "home", although many Ashkenazis have recently made their homes in the Palestinian homeland, and it would be mighty decent of them to at the very least recognize and respect that portion of the Palestinian homeland which has been defined as their future Palestinian state. Recognition and respect, SDHD, as fellow human beings with equal worth and equal rights; treated fairly, and as the individuals they are, each for their own merit and fault-just as you fellow Jews.

In addition to Iberian and N. African Jews. So maybe I should have specified that, although if I recall correctly, they fall into the same distinct group, genetically.

"US Proving It wants Mid-east Peace." Here's another equally startling headline: "The Sun rises in the East and Sets in the West." SO WHAT?

ok guys! Listen, since both sides have such strong feelings and hardcore views one would think that that very fact could maybe create some kind of understanding between you. I mean you share the same feelings. You're scared, scarred and feel threatened. You don't listen to logic because you don't think that your enemy is thinking or acting logically. But hey, if there is ever going to be an acceptable solution to this problem you are at some point going to have to come to terms with that you will have to give up stuff in order to keep your familys safe and to create a better future for your children. I have travelled in the area many times and let me tell you, from an outsider's point of view you are basically the same people. Most of you are lovely, kind, clear headed people when discussing anything but the conflict and now you have to learn how to work within that mind-set in order to solve the problems at your doorstep. Stop acting like children and deal with the issues at hand!

Unduly influenced by right wingers and religious fundamentalists, today's New Israel has no interest in peace. Israelis know this, and it's high time Israel Firsters around the world get real as well. Clearly, the plan is to annex E Jerusalem, "Judea" and "Samaria." It's high time Israel admits it, and figures out a way to give civil rights to the Palestinians who will come part in parcel with that annexation. Stop the lies Israel. Behave like a human being.

The Arabs do have something to prove. They have violated every single provision of every treaty that they have ever signed. They are the ones that need to prove that they want peace. Which is going to be really hard since they have declared repeatedly said that they do not want peace.

It is interesting that the Palestinians have to wait for permission from the Arab League to work for a peace agreement. So much for an independent "Palestine" people.

Palestinian Arabs were created and have followed a no peace road. Pals arabs must change charter refute their fiery political and religious leadership,stop being corrupt and training children for armed struggle. Israel accepted trading land for peace even though there was no palestinian arab national identity but nothing worked. The US Obama policy made the Pals not want peace even more. the left can't handle this. I can't wait to vote Obama out just like we voted Carter out!!!

The Mideast peace issue is far down the list of what is important to most Americans. No one believes any Israel or Palestanian calls anymore. It is about as popular as reading the underneath the headlines of some car bombing in Iraq. There is too much political risk to say what needs to be said and done with Israel who holds 85% of the cards. So the less said the safer, the less promised the better, and in the back of many minds comes a satisfaction of those blockheads will have to sooner or later face consequences of there own making. The political heads in this part of the world are only gifted in the degree of their double talk.

So called "moderate" arabs do not really beleive tht Israel should be a Jewish State. They do not want to live in peace with Jews They dont even want Jews to rest in peace either.

it refuses to stop building

"i dont really know the origins of ashkenazi but they were formed in the same way." That really says it all as far as your logic and knowledge of the Middle East are concerned! FYI, although your prejudices will stop you even researching this, most Palestinians have family connections with Palestine going back centuries, some for 2,000 years when their ancestors were called Jews.

we all know that the government of Netanyahu and Lieberman will sabotage any efforts to make peace. This is the will of the people of Israel.

When the British Palestine Mandate, was partitioned on 29th Nov.1947,(R.181). The Territory was to be divided around fifty/fifty % to JEWS and ARABS (Muslims and Christians), and that the City of Jerusalem was to be made an INTERNATIONAL CITY for the THREE main Religions. The Jews accepted the deal because they desperately wanted a HOMELAND, The Arabs refused because they were loosing 50% of their lands. AS EVERYBODY KNOWS, UNDER INTERNATIONAL LAW, THE WEST BANK, GAZA, THE GOLAN AND Lebanese SHEBA fARMS, are all I L L E G A L L Y Occupied. They were seized in 1967 in a PRE EMTIVE war that was N O T Provoked by any of the above countries. The Territories are therefore legally for the Palestinians, the Syrians and the Lebaneses. Therefore there is NO PROBLEM in returning to the STATUS QUO of the territories. All the Palestinians are NOW asking is the return of their 22% (half of their Promised land. 45%)(EVEN HAMAS has come to similar conclusion).Salaam/shalom

American Taxpayers want to settle this mess; Obama enetered the Office with the objective to seek peace; and Israelis are the obstacle, especially the settlements. Unrest in the Mid-East has become a National Seucrity issue for Americans. israel does not like a good ally.

you are the one who doesn't have any idea what you are talking about. The green line is not a border and was never meant to be a border. Read the armistice agreements between all the countries involved - Israel with Jordan, Egypt, Syria and Lebanon. In each agreement it states specifically that the armistice line, called the green line, is not meant to be a border. the borders are to be negotiated between the countries. As far as the partition borders go, you are also wrong. Those borders were rendered null and void because the Arab countries refused to accept them. If they had just stopped at voting against partition, then the partition borders would have been the legal ones. But they didn't. They invaded which had the legal effect of making the resolution a dead document.

As someone else said, the Palestinians can go for compromise. But this has never been in the lexicon for them. Because no Palestinian can agree to compromise on even one mm of land that the Arabs consider their land. And in there lexicon, that includes all of Israel. Why did Abbas say he will never recognize Israel as a Jewish state ? Because that is in effect saying it is not Arab land. And he wants to stay alive. By recognizing Israel, he can hold to the idea that Israel is Arab land and continue to strive to destroy Israel. He can't do that if he recognizes it as a Jewish state. Ask any Arab if they are willing to leave the area of the Western Wall in Israeli hands. You and I know already what the answer is.

Sorry to burst your bubble but you, like many in the talbacks to this article, don't know what you are talking about. Research first published in January 2006 in the American Journal of Human Genetics shows that both male and female Ashkenazi Jews derive from people who migrated to Europe from the middle east. Before this research, it was assumed that the males did but that they married females from the local European populations and who converted. Since then there have been other studies published in the same and other journals like the European Journal of Human Genetics.

or maybe you didn't understand what it means. Or maybe you can't, because it will shred your 'Israel can do no wrong' notions. The fact is, it HAS and continues to.

The U.S. and Israel have tried to get "peace" with arabs for 60 years. Note that when Egypt signed a treaty with Israel the U.S. has paid them BILLIONS per year ever since. Israel has made offers, that border on insane. Example share a city with people that have used terrorism for 3 generations against them. When you offer peace the other side sees it as a sign that you are weakening, and increases its demands.

Arafat rejected the Clinton parameters, Israel accepted them. Israel withdrew settlers from gaza.... ALL of them. Hamas increased rocket fire into Israel as a response. Israel has signed peace accords with Egypt and Jordan and withdrew from the lion's share of the territory captured in 1967. Israel fed Palestinian infrastructure and their economy for decades. Israel hasn't shown compromise and moderation? What's preventing the Palestinians from "compromising" on a small percentage of the territories? They need 100% of the territories or it's ISRAEL which won't compromise?

Haaretz seems to be a lone voice in Israel advocating compromise and moderation. Unfortunately, there are no strong politicians left to take the same stand. Barak has sold his principles to retain/regain power and has practically destroyed the Labour party. The majority of Israelis still do not understand why their country has no longer the sympathy of the Western World. If they are convinced that the Arab world will never accept Israel, come what may, then there is no point in entering talks, saying that they want peace and are ready to meet anyone, anywhere, at any time.

"#15 The persecution of Jews in Europe was a crime, SDHD. But it has no bearing on what I`ve said." You said the ancestral homeland of the Jews is Europe, meanwhile, Europe doesn't think so. That's why Jews have been persecuted throughout their stay in Europe. Anyone home?

apparently u dont know anything about history.In roman empire jews were distributed mainly in spain and northern africa(moroco algeria libia...) after the expel from judea by roman empire(yes its in the history books and roman history) in spain they were called sepharadim. i dont really know the origins of ashkenazi but they were formed in the same way. after the inquisition in spain they had to flee spain and go to more moderate countries many stayed in France and joined the jews there some in italy some went to germany some to balkans(greece as a part of the ottoman empire) many went to turkey part of ottoman empire. many fleed to northern africa. sepharadim has the same connection to israel as ashkenazim. as for palestinians they re majorly Egyptian and syrian workers who migrated to palestine when British took it from ottomans. too little of them re really connected to palestine under ottoman rule. majority of jews and pals re migrants from other places of the world.

before the WB and Gaza occupation there was war and there was no occupation.why suddenly when isr gives its land back they would agree for peace. pals peace plan is from the river to the sea palestine. not a real peace plan cuz they cant understand that the peace is made with the enemy. israel demanded peace agreements after its foundation always rejected... thats not isr who needs to prove they re peace loving

But it has no bearing on what I've said.

What is the settlements to do with it? The terror against Israel started before the six day war it started even before 1929 when Israel was only an idea. The facts are simple the Arabs dont want a Jawish state and thats it they want another Islamic state (number 23) instead of Israel.

"But with the exception of the Sephardim, the "ancestral homeland" of today`s Israelis is Europe." Did the Europeans think so when they kept the Jews in ghettos or while they were wiping them out at various points in history?

...the famous song by Sting.It is so easy and cheap way to make the others to look like devils and bad people (like Golda Meir did). What about the israeli people? It is sure, that they love their children - but still it seems, that to want peace really - even with some sacrifices-it is not an obtion. And to love all the children? Even the Palestinian ones?

Barak approves 112 new apartments in West Bank

if israel gives the palestinians the west bank qand the gaza strip and east jerusalem and after completing the residual agreements in the peace accords all palestinians will be happy and ready to live in peace after they have received total freedom from israeli interference in their lives. but not like that form of freedom that exists today in gaza. isarelis must go completely from the new palestinian state. if israel should concede theese freedoms then peace will be reached soon in all the middle east.

...in the policy that isnt't working? The pride and stubborness make that nobody want admit to a mistake. The postions come more and more rigid. They never will change -whatever the consequenses. They genuinely believe taht all is the matter of power -that if one is only strong enough , they can prove that others are wrong and win through. The result? It is disaster -for all. The destructive policy ia always selfdestructive,too.Am I talking of Israel or PA. You can choose.

... Peace is not possible on his terms. Besides, the settlers, the religious and Yisrael Beiteinu are such a huge group that only Kadima could balance it and Netanyahu can't see the urgency to switch. Moreover the Likud itself is a main obstacle... That's too much, oh God! The only thing left is to pray...

"Peace will come to the Middle East when the Arabs love their children more than they hate us." (Golda Meir). That means never.

They will never make peace with the infidels that they claim should not be here in the first place. They will never allow history to write that the Jews gave the Palestinians their state when the rest of the Arab world couldn't care less and will probably invade the new Palestinian state if it is ever created.

But with the exception of the Sephardim, the "ancestral homeland" of today's Israelis is Europe. Also, it's no great surprise to find that the Sephardim and the Palestinians are so closely related genetically, that they may as well be cousins; and they probably ARE! The Ashkenazi on the other hand, well they just don't fit into the picture very well; and certainly not well enough for the region to be their "ancestral homeland". Poof!

With Lieberman at its helm. The little man has turned it into to his own little propaganda mill. Any reports eminating from the Foreign Ministry simply aren't worthy of mention as long as the little man is running it.

"....Compromise on territory and commitment to security,....." The '67 borders ARE a compromise on territory, dipstick NO territory beyond the Partition borders has been legally annexed by Israel or approved by any international body or court....none

The Palestinian has already done both of what you asked. They Compromised on territory by accepting Israel on 78% of Palestinian land, and are asking for Palestinian state on 22% of historical Palestine(west bank and Gaza).On security, Abbas had shown a great commitment to Israeli security,he was praised by both the Americans and the Israelis for his commitment to peaceful coexistence and his great efforts that ended the violence in the west bank. just little honesty, can go long way to help solving the Palestinian problem.

"It is true that both sides probably do not want peace badly enough to give in much. However, the Pals have nothing else to give: " Compromise on territory and commitment to security, boob.

I can here the song now: "Are we living in a Muslim world in a Muslim world, oh yeah"

What does peace mean to you? do you really believe that if the US pressures Israel and PA to sign a "peace agreement" that it will bring real peace? Oslo proved otherwise. To date, the PA has not given any indication in word or deed that they are ready to accept peaceful coexistence with a Jewish state with any borders. Peace has to be built through education and mutual cooperation, it won't come about by signing a meaningless sheet of paper that will endanger Israel's security and force to Jews to abandon their ancestral homelands for vague promises that won't be kept.

It is true that both sides probably do not want peace badly enough to give in much. However, the Pals have nothing else to give: even their dignity has been taken. And Israeli are not going to give up one inch of land. So, unless Israel is forced to the Green Line, there will be endless war and/or "rumors" of war. Israelis should wake up and think about their children and grandchildren. (Maybe just a thought about the plight of the Gaza children might help.)