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International News Title: New Mideast Talks Another Exercise in Futility New Mideast Talks Another Exercise in Futility Jonathan S. Tobin 06.24.2011 - 2:14 PM The New York Times is reporting today both the Israelis and the Palestinians have signaled they will agree to take part in a new round of peace negotiations. The purpose of these talks is reported to be an effort to avert a confrontation in the United Nations in September over the Palestinian bid for the world body to recognize their independence without making peace with Israel. That Israel would agree to new talks is not a surprise. It was not the Israelis who walked away from the negotiations in the first place. That was the Palestinians choice, and it reflected not so much their impatience with the pace of the talks as their fear they might actually produce an agreement which they would then be forced to turn down. The leaders of the PA know their people will not accept a peace recognizing Israels legitimacy no matter where its borders are drawn. According to the Times, Israel has accepted the new talks even though they are accompanied by President Obamas insistence the 1967 borders be the starting point for negotiations, a stance they have rightly rejected. However, as Prime Minister Netanyahu said in a speech yesterday, the end of the conflict would be brought about if PA leader Mahmoud Abbas were willing to say, I will accept the Jewish state. But the idea any Israeli concessions are necessary to win a reprieve from a September showdown at the UN is a misperception of the diplomatic situation. The Palestinians fear the consequences of this confrontation, since they know the expectations this vote would raise among their people could not be realized: a U.S. veto means it is dead on arrival. If the Palestinians are signaling they may be willing to back down on September, it is because they know they have already lost. Were they more certain of their prospects, they would never consider turning back. The notion these talks could ever lead to peace is unfounded. As the Palestinians told the Times, they will never give up on the right of return or recognize Israel as a Jewish state. Nor will they accede to measures guaranteeing Israeli security or accommodating Israels need for land swaps. All of which mean a peace accord is an impossible goal. Those pushing for these talks are also ignoring the fact the PA is about to become a Fatah-Hamas coalition. That will not only doom peace talks but also obligate the United States to cut off aid to the PA and cease negotiations. All of this highlights the utter futility of the Obama administrations current obsession with re-starting talks. While seemingly well-intentioned, for Israel to make any concessions in order to facilitate this latest exercise would be an egregious mistake.
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#2. To: CZ82 (#0)
And it will remain futile as long as the bastard jewish state, some call israel, exists.
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