The Mideast Quartet has finally released a long-anticipated report on the situation in Israel, and despite a flurry of diplomatic activity by Israeli officials trying to water down the content, the report was still deeply critical of Israel’s moves to undermine a two-state solution.
The report warned Israel needs to immediately stop expanding its settlements, and also stop its ongoing efforts to hinder the development of Palestinian territories. The report also called on the Palestinians to unite under a single, democratically-elected government.
Israeli officials, as usual, expressed outrage at the report, saying that it was “perpetuating the myth” that the settlements are a problem, and insisted that the real problem is the refusal of the Palestinians to publicly endorse Israel as a “Jewish state.”
Since Israel has a significant Arab minority, which is constantly struggling for some semblance of equal rights, the “Jewish state” declaration is seen as a no-go. Palestinian officials have been fine with recognizing Israel’s existence, but insist it isn’t their place to label it as a “Jewish” exclusive state.
The Quartet report concluded that there are “legitimate questions about Israel’s long-term intentions,” noting that not only is Israel undermining the two-state solution, but that several Israeli ministers are publicly on record as saying a Palestinian state will never be allowed.
What is the need to debate anything – the area previously known as the British Protectorate of Palestine was divided between the Israelis and the Palestinians long ago at the very start – now Israel is violating the agreement. We have bombed other countries for a lot less – remember our war to throw Iraq out of Kuwait..
If Iraq had been treating their minorities in this manner then the US would have been justified in exterminating their country’s leaders, and rightfully so.
Mentioning the unmentionable.
Don and Richard, I couldn’t agree with you more. If Iraq or any other Mideast nation had been treating their minorities the way Israel’s been doing, the US would’ve been justified in eliminating their countries’ leaders. Mentioning the unmentionable.
The area known as the British Protectorate of Palestine was divided between the Israelis and the Palestinians long ago at the very start, is absolutely true. It’s also true that the Zionist Entity’s currently violating that agreement. We’ve bombed other nations for a lot less .. example: our war to throw the Iraqi forces out of Kuwait in 1991.
Israel’s treatment of the inhabitants of Gaza is a war crime, period. Little or no humanitarian aid has been delivered by water, since any/all vessels that tried to do so were turned away by the IDF Navy, and one was actually attacked, with 9 activists killed. There again, if it had been Syria or another Arab nation had done this, the US would again be justified in bombing them.
We’ve heard this before from the supposed arbiters of peace: “Israel must stop…”, OR WHAT? More words and little action to stop Israel’s crimes. Or maybe Israel destroying itself as a Jewish state is its own punishment / reward? Israel controls the border of Palestine, and takes the taxes. Israel governs the Palestinians, and thus is not a democracy because most of them can’t vote.