tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4735835170009193143.post8558576273651675289..comments2023-07-17T03:58:57.125-07:00Comments on Roland Nikles Dot Com: No Better Time for Peace than the PresentRoland Nikleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11901484182608550735noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4735835170009193143.post-54428325734509864962015-03-22T09:26:21.687-07:002015-03-22T09:26:21.687-07:00Thank you, Don: That is an optimistic take on Net...Thank you, Don: That is an optimistic take on Netanyahu. I do believe Abbas is "mendacious" enough to accept a Palestinian state based on the Green Line, with land swaps for most settlements, and a shared capital in Jerusalem. I don't think there is a politician in Israel today who could deliver such a deal. Whether Abbas could remains to be seen. Ben-Amy <a href="http://conference.jstreet.org/live/?akid=3786.287785.KJEcQw&rd=1&t=1" rel="nofollow">gave a strong speech</a> at the J-Street conference last night sticking to 2SS. He is asking for pressure to be brought on Israel. I agree with him that the ball is in their court, i.e., I don't think it's a situation of "but for the lack of a peace partner." For now, it looks like Israel will continue to settle... Roland Nikleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11901484182608550735noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4735835170009193143.post-27934017977518728372015-03-21T14:51:38.523-07:002015-03-21T14:51:38.523-07:00The only ray of hope in these scenarios is that Ne...The only ray of hope in these scenarios is that Netanyahu is a believer of the "shifting sands," view of history. His ideology is shaped by self-interest rather than deeply held beliefs.<br />That is a good thing in the middle east. It is the true believers amongst Jews, Muslims, and Secularists that are more likely to go to war (or rather send the young to war.) Peace requires diplomacy which ultimately requires compromise and thus the "selling out of principles." I don't believe that Netanyahu has any principles to sell out and just needs an equally mendacious figure amongst the Palestinians to partner with him.<br />Donhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03333510249276382724noreply@blogger.com