December 5, 2012

 In-depth

Settlement construction threatens two-state solution and Israel

Israel must reach a comprehensive peace agreement with the Palestinians in order to guarantee its own future, writes Avi Gil in The Hill. 

…a unilateral initiative falls into the category of “conflict management” that, in the Israeli-Palestinian case, is inconsistent with that of “conflict resolution.” Regrettably, those who support ‫”‬conflict management‫”‬ include a mixture of Israelis who are ready to make painful compromises for peace and Israelis who oppose any compromise and that regard ‫”‬conflict management‫”‬ as a useful framework for their intransigence. The fact that the Palestinians have presented their opening positions on all four core issues, including a border map, while the Israeli side failed to reciprocate, did not attract significant attention.

Ten Reasons Iran Doesn't Want the Bomb

Seyed Hossein Mousavian explains in the National Interest why Tehran's nuclear ambitions are purely civilian in nature.  

Iran recognizes that by becoming a nuclear weapons state, it will compel Russia and China to join the United States and implement devastating sanctions that would paralyze the Iranian economy. Iran recognizes that becoming a nuclear weapons state would give the Israelis ample ammunition to rally the United States and the international community on a perceived existential threat to its existence for creating another war in the Middle East.

Daily Digest

• Times of Israel: With elections around the corner, is Netanyahu bluffing on E1 housing plan?
• Haaretz: Israeli planning council pushing ahead with new settlement plans, despite world pressure
• Jerusalem Post: Liberman surprises, leaves Ayalon off Yisrael Beiteinu list
• Ynet: Palestinian Authority threatens ICC action over settlement plans
• New York Times: Iron Empires, Iron Fists, Iron Domes
• Washington Post: Syrian army weakening as rebels make gains
• Wall Street Journal: Dancing Around Genocide

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