To: 
From: "Vern Humphrey" 
Reply-To: r_catholic-l{at}yahoogroups.com

To: seanmbrook{at}aol.com [mailto:seanmbrook{at}aol.com]
; and the losers to minimize
> > > their losses.
> >
> > VH> And therefore the negotiations ought NOT to be steeped in
> > self-rightousness
> > and finger-pointing, but rather oriented on a mutual attempt to solve
> > problems.
> > >
>  Good!  Now, how do you propose to get enemies who
>  hate each other--such as the Israelis and Palis--to do
>  that???

Well, the FIRST step is to stop doing it ourselves.  No one outside
Palestine or Israel ought to be partisan, nor participate in
fingerpointing. The next step is to call both sides when they do it -- for
example, I saw a Palestinian representative on Fox start a tirade against
Israel, and the interviewer cut him short, saying he was not responding to
the question. Ultimately, we can influence the tone of the debate.

Remember also, we have great leverage in the Arab world right now, and we
give a lot of money to Israel (and some to the Palestinians, too.)  That
means we CAN get them to listen.
>
> > VH> Given that Israel spends $300 million a year keeping and expanding
> > settlements in the Weat Bank and Gaza, I find it difficult to
> believe they
> > want peace any more than the Palestinians.
> > >
>  I had more in the years of the Oslo and Camp David
>  peace negotiations.  Up till 2000 Israel HAD offered
>  Arafat unprecedented concessions in an attempt to
>  make peace.  Guess who spoiled THAT?

Unfortunately, those concessions were never put into action -- in fact,
settlements continued.  The Israelis rightly demand action from the
Palestinians to stop terrorism.  The Palestinians have the same right to
demand action from Israel that matches their words.
> >
> > 1.  Dramatically reduce exposure of Israelis to terrorist attack.
>
>  Because  Israeli towns would not be surrounded by
>  enemies.  Good idea.

Yes -- the idea that putting women and children in scattered settlements in
hostile territory somehow ENHANCES security is ludicrous.
>
> > VH> 2.  Conserve security forces for the protection of Israel itself
>
>  Because that would be a concentrating of Israeli
>  forces within more compact and defensible areas?
>  Rather than scatter them around defending isolated
>  enclaves?

Correct.
>
>
> VH>> 3.  Make a large amount of money available to bolster
> Israel's economy
> > 4.  Remove a major complaint that fires many Palestinians
> against Israel.
> >
>  Ditto to both.  Btw, I think one reason why Michael
>  doubts suggestions like these will work is because
>  Israel would have to give up something tangible and
>  physical, the settlements.

Yes -- but WHAT are they giving up?  The settlements are a drain on both
their economy and their security forces.  By pulling the settlements out
they GAIN an additional $300 million a year which can be used for other
purposes, and enhance their security.

Now ask, what do they GAIN by keeping the settlements?

>  But the Palis are not being
>  forced to give up something as well..

What the Palestinians have given up is their rights under Israeli
occupation -- they have ALREADY paid a price.

>  We both know the
>  Palis will trumpet any withdrawal of the settlements as
>  a "glorious victory over the Zionist entity."

And this is worth hundreds of lives and years of terrorism?  To keep the
Palestinians from claiming a victory?

Why not let them HAVE their victory -- but publicly attribute it to those
Palestinians who are willing to seek a peaceful solution?

>  And, I'm
>  convinced many Palis will still not be satisfied but
>  press fanatically for the DESTRUCTION of Israel.

And there will still be many Israelis who will not be satisfied and will
press fanatically for the destruction of Palestine.
>
>  How do you handle that?  Will No. 2 above still be
>  enough?
>
> VH>> If the Palestinians did NOTHING in response, but continued
> as usual, this
> > would STILL leave Israel more secure.
> >
>  Hope so.  It's worth trying despite my lack of
>  optimism.
>
Did you ever read "Lonesome Dove?"  What happened when Gus
wouldn't let them amputate his gangrenous leg?


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