Netanyahu speech before congress last week resonated with all Americans, the international community, but more specifically, with the Palestinians who took his speech as a declaration of war.1 The realities on the ground, which Netanyahu presented to the world, are true.
“The Palestinians have been unwilling to accept a Palestinian state, if it meant accepting a Jewish state alongside it”.2
If Netanyahu did not tell his story, then he would be leaving others to tell their own version creating conflicting versions of history and facts on the ground, which will be the only ones that will resonate. That is why, it was important for Netanyahu to tell what is really taking place on the ground.
Senior Palestinian Authority negotiator Saeb Erekat said it all after the speech, Netanyahu has "no vision and nothing to offer," and the PA chooses unity with Hamas" rather than "lies and distortions."3 So we can see that the real issue is not statehood, but the very existence of a Jewish state.
Does genuine peace require the giving up of the Jewish homeland like Netanyahu said? The answer is NO! Since the PA is unwilling recognize a Jewish state and chooses a partnership with Hamas and to proclaim an independent state in September, then the only alternative is to annex all of the disputed area of Judea and Samaria [West Bank and Gaza].
Genuine peace never requires the giving up of an ancient homeland to enemies who want to destroy you. This was done before and the result was death and destruction. Israel now is at a crossroads in life, it can continue the false concept of giving up land for an artificial peace or annex her historical homeland. The most pragmatic thing to do, to end this cycle of violence and false hope, is to annex and incorporate the disputed land from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea.
Netanyahu must go back to what he always believed in, a Palestinian state exists and that state is Jordan. This is the reality, and true peace can only be achieved if two sides come together and talk. Then and only then will there be peace.
ⓒ Abraham J. Santiago
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