Barak: Israel may have to surrender Judea-Samaria

[Chris]

Barak: Israel may have to surrender Judea-Samaria

Barak: Israel may have to surrender Judea-Samaria
By Ryan Jones

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Wednesday made what many believe to be a diplomatic blunder when he suggested that if a final status peace agreement cannot be reached with the Palestinian Arabs, Israel my have to unilaterally surrender Judea and Samaria, just as it did with Gaza.

In his address to an Institute of National Security Studies conference in Tel Aviv, Barak said:

"We must try and achieve a comprehensive agreement; it is of the utmost importance. We must aim to discuss all of the core issues, putting an end to the conflict, and an end to mutual claims. If this appears to be impossible, we need to think of an interim agreement, and even unilateral actions."

Barak insisted that "inaction is not an option" for Israel, even, apparently, if the other side refuses to cooperate. He was immediately lambasted by several ranking Israeli officials.

"One wonders how there are people willing to toy with such a dangerous idea after the utter failure of the unilateral disengagement from Gaza," Education Minister Gideon Sa'ar told the Times of Israel.

Even without the scandalous example of Gaza, many Israelis have long argued that offering to give the Palestinians everything they demand with or without an agreement that also protects Israeli interests is foolhardy at best.

It is little wonder that Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas continues to refuse to negotiate with Israel until Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu first agrees to meet all Palestinian demands. Abbas by now knows all too well that Israel will eventually be pressured into surrender despite non-compliance by the Palestinian Authority.

In his address to the same conference, Netanyahu urged Abbas to not waste the historic opportunity for comprehensive peace offered by Israel's second-largest-ever governing coalition.

"I believe there is very broad support among the people for a peace agreement based on mutual respect and security for Israel," said Netanyhau. "I call again on Mahmoud Abbas not to miss this unique opportunity and give peace a chance. Let me clarify – I have not set any conditions to enter into negotiations. Certainly I will have conditions to conclude negotiations, and so will Mahmoud Abbas. This is natural and it is the reason we conduct negotiations. But this is why I say to Abbas – don't miss out on this opportunity to extend your hand in peace."

Netanyahu and others have argued that while the Palestinians may eventually get some of what they demand by remaining obstinate, going that route will not produce a genuine peace, or even tolerant coexistence. Quite the opposite, actually.

[readytogo]

Personally, I thought that Barak had lost his mind when he offered to give the "Palestinians" 'Judea and Samaria, just as it (Israel) did with Gaza'!

[Elijah's Mantle]

I'm with you on that one Ready
He must be out of his mind to even say it.
I do have a chilling Notion however
Israel's Enemy really simply want another Holocaust
And I fear after the Euphrates war comes about later they may just get their way

[YeuEmMaiMai]

Just another nail in the credibility of Isreal having a good leader...

Does not God say "Woe unto them who try to part MY land"?

[livin_in_the_Son]

Just another nail in the credibility of President Obama's claim of being Christian...

Does not God say "Woe unto them who try to part MY land"?

Wrong Barak....this story is about Israel's Defense Minister....

[OnceWasLost]

Wow, what a foolish thing to think, let alone say out loud.

Sometimes he is makes it so obvious that he is the Jimmy Carter of Israel.