The Palestinian State

When you’re in Israel, your perspective on the Annapolis peace talks in November is radically different than that seen through the lenses of the U.S. press and so-called experts on the Middle East.

For instance, Condoleezza Rice declared on Tuesday that it’s time for the establishment of a Palestinian state. She went on to say, “The United States sees the establishment of a Palestinian state and a two-state solution as absolutely essential for the future, not just for Palestinians and Israelis but also for the Middle East and indeed to American interests.”

Also on Tuesday, at the Knesset at a meeting with former minister of Foreign Affairs, Silvan Shalom, he made it clear as to why there is not and probably will not be a Palestinian state in the near future. He recalled a meeting with a Palestinian authority some time ago where he was bluntly encouraging a Palestinian state and asking what was the hold-up and the response was, “Because Israel wants it and that’s not good enough for us.” Shalom’s responded, “You must be kidding,” and finally, in a rare admission, they told the truth on why they are not willing to move forward on statehood: They are afraid of the responsibility that comes with being recognized as a state.

They would have to abandon their terrorist attacks because there’s international law on how to handle state-sponsored terrorism, they would have to govern, set up constitutions and finally provide shelter and a better life for the many Palestinians who would come in droves to live in their own country. For right now, Israel has become the faceplate of why the Palestinians suffer and make no progress. Once that faceplate is taken away the world will see the Palestinians for what they are: corrupt, with a lack of vision and without the aptitude to lead either their own or those who desperately need a place to call home.