Palestinian Miscalculation

Once again I wade into the deepest and most complicated of political topics; the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is all-consuming.  Often I criticize Israel, but I do not feel that is undeserved; Israel has made countless mistakes (which, in and of itself, is somewhat understandable and acceptable, but I feel that rarely does Israel own up to – that is, admit to – the mistakes, and that is the source of the criticism).  Perhaps, then, I should not criticize [yet] for the news is recent.  And it is Palestine of which I am critical.

Avigdor Lieberman, Israel’s Foreign Minister, announced plans for a provisional Palestine.  Other than the fact that this sounds a little bit too similar to the Palestinian Authority, and that the announcement was made by Lieberman (who has acted as a catalyst for Israel’s international decline), this is not bad in itself.  Then why am I disapproving of this plan?  “The Palestinians rejected the notion of a provisional state as a ‘publicity stunt’ and urged Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman to work instead to achieve a final peace deal.”

A Palestinian official, Saeb Erekat, said “the option of provisional borders or an, interim agreement is no longer on the table.  I urge Lieberman not to fight the emergence of a Palestinian state, because it’s coming.”  The proposal is “a publication relations stunt, to throw the ball in our court,” Erekat added.

Palestine (all factions of it), Israel just “threw the ball in your court.”  Take the ball and run with it, as the saying goes, because then Israel will be forced to make a choice.  It will either grant you the state you have been asking for, or it will cause more death and destruction of your people – which is nothing new, and is happening – or none of the above.  Don’t tell Israel that a partial deal in which you get 50% of the land you desire and  claim isn’t good enough for you.