by Gary Willig
As an Israeli who has watched Presidents come and go, each one hoping - and failing - to solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, I am uneasy about this latest attempt. We cannot make peace with any entity that desires our demise above all else. Know what they say in Arabic - not in English, and you will understand the intractability of this situation.
US President Donald Trump and Palestinian Authority chairman Mahmoud Abbas delivered a joint address at the White House Wednesday afternoon.
President Trump called on the PA leadership to end all incitement and for the terrorist organizations which threaten peace to be defeated, such as ISIS.
"Peace also means defeating ISIS and other terrorist groups. These groups are a threat to all people who cherish human life," he stated
"There can be no lasting peace unless the Palestinian leaders speak in a unified voice against incitement to violence and hate," he cautioned. "There is such hatred. But hopefully there won't be such hatred for long."
"All children of God must be taught to value and respect human life, and condemn all of those who target the innocent.
"Any agreement cannot be imposed by the United States or by any other nation," Trump said.
He applauded the security coordination between Israel and the PA, saying that he was "surprised" at how well the two forces worked together."
Abbas voiced faith in Trump's ability to bring peace. "I believe that we are capable, under your leadership, your courageous stewardship, and your wisdom, as well as your great negotiating ability...we can be true partners to you to bring about a historic peace treaty."
"With you we have hope," he added.
Abbas also called for Israel to withdraw from Judea and Samaria, and claimed that the Palestinian Arabs are the only people in the world which lives under an 'occupation,' although there is no dearth of peoples whose lands are not independent. In addition, Israel's presence in Judea and Samaria is not an "occupation" in the legal sense of the world. The region is part of the original area the League of Nations set aside for the Jewish homeland, cut away by Britain, followed by Jordan's occupation of the region after it attacked the fledgling state of Israel in 1948. This occurred before the Arabs living in what the Romans named Palestine declared themselves to be a people.
“It is about time for Israel to end its occupation of our people and of our land after 50 years. We are the only remaining people in the world that are living under occupation."
Gary Willig
Source: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/229074
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