What about the right of return of the Palestinian refugees to Israel?
You start with the narrative of the Palestinian refugees - the historical injustice that was done to them. [You cannot continue to] blame the Arabs or the refugees, and not recognize the fact that the creation of Israel inflicted a historical injustice and tremendous pain on the Palestinian population. So, first you recognize that. Then, you cannot negate their right to return. You say: "OK, they have the right to return, but let's negotiate how to implement that right."
Those are the first two steps. The third step is to look at options and permutations.
If the right of return of Palestinian refugees is recognized and implemented, isn't it true that there can't be a two-state solution? That, due to demography, there will end up being only one state, and that will be Palestinian?
Yes, it would be non-Jewish.
Yet, you still think this has to be negotiated?
Yes, of course, the implementation has to be negotiated, by examining possibilities, such as compensation. You know, offering the refugees different options.
Arab 'moderates'
According to 'conventional wisdom' (read: BBC/CNN propaganda) Hanan Ashrawi is a moderate. And then she is put to the litmus test, and the truth emerges - at 180 degrees to 'conventional wisdom'.
Following is a short exchange with JPost correspondent at an interview. It says it all in two Q&As, but is Ariel feet-of-water Sharon listening?
Posted by Joseph Alexander Norland at December 17, 2004 05:50 PM