Israel and the Palestinians to resume talks

[Lemon law]

Found this on the NYT, as it now looks all but certain Israel and the Palestinians will resume direct talks starting in September. With a one year time table.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/21/world/middleeast/21mideast.html?ref=global-home

To some extent I have to credit Obama for keeping up the pressure and patiently slogging it out.

If these talks work out, Maybe Obama will deserve at least a part of that Nobel peace prize.

Lots of difficulties ahead and many a slip between cup and lip, but we can be optimistic maybe.

 

[DesiPower]

Peace in the middle east is a very good thing and I applaud the effort, but its not the first time this is happening, not holding my breath.

 

[Lemon law]

Peace in the middle east is a very good thing and I applaud the effort, but its not the first time this is happening, not holding my breath.

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Sadly DesiPower may be right, but unless I miss my guess, this time there is going to be a tremendous amount of world Pressure on Israel to make progress.

Hurdle number one may be getting Israel to agree to a settlement freeze extension in the West Bank and East Jerusalem set to expire 9/26/2010. The talks should be started by then, but it may put Netanyuhu between a rock and hard place. If Netanyuhu agrees, it may bring down his government, and if he refuses the world will really be PO'd at Israel. With economic sanctions next if Israel tries to talk the issue to death again. With perhaps the same true of the Palestinian side.

Otherwise most of the agreement is already in place.

 

[BoomerD]

We've been through this before...how many times?

IMO, it just ain't gonna amount to a "hill of beans" in the long run.

As long as Israel exists in the lands claimed by the Palestinians...and continues their expansion into the West Bank and other areas, there isn't going to be any lasting peace.

Neither side is willing to make any meaningful compromises...and it's "My way or the highway" for both sides.

 

[dainthomas]

As long as Israel exists there isn't going to be any lasting peace.

Fixed.

The arabs in the region want the same thing they did in 1947. 60+ years of getting their butts kicked hasn't changed that.

 

[Lemon law]

For what its worth news updates, talks will start on 9/2 in Washington DC. I did not post the link but you can find it on the NYT's website and probaly other websites as well.

 

[Freshgeardude]

HAHA last I checked, all the pressure was on the PLO and NOT israel. ah LL in his little dream world

 

[Lemon law]

HAHA last I checked, all the pressure was on the PLO and NOT israel. ah LL in his little dream world

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Maybe the pressure was on the PLO because they refused to talk before Israel agreed to a settlement freeze. But if Israel tries to use peace talks to keep settling in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, it will prove Abbas correct and the entire world will be on Israel like stink on shit.

A little bit of a two edge sword there FGD.