Netanyahu's Two State Solution (not)

Netanyahu accepts limited Palestinian state

The headlines would tend to reflect some significant change or shift in the Israeli position concerning the Palestinians and the supposed two state solution. But a cursory examination of Prime Minister Netanyahu's speech today doesn't quite support that reality IMO. Not on any level.

Netanyahu and the Israelis are certainly being pressured to accept the supposed two state solution, but Netanyahus words today fall way short of that ever becoming a reality while he is prime minister.

The plan outlined by Netanyahu requires a disarmed Palestinian state.

"In any peace agreement, the territory under Palestinian control must be disarmed, with solid security guarantees for Israel," he said.

But not so fast skippy, the Palestinians will never agree to an arrangement like that. No more than Israel would agree to a disarmament.

He then followed up with this:

"I call on you, our Palestinian neighbors, and to the leadership of the Palestinian Authority: Let us begin peace negotiations immediately, without preconditions," he said. "Israel is committed to international agreements and expects all the other parties to fulfill their obligations as well."

Excuse me, but Netanyahu just placed the biggest precondition in existence on the table, then turns around and tells the Palestinians that they must abandon any preconditions that they may be considering.

Like I said, this is not a path to peace. this was Netanyahu going through the motions and positioning himself to argue that Israel had made an offer. Never mind that it is an offer that they know the Palestinians will never accept.