Netanyahu Asking Palestinians To Cede Right Of Return (Akiva Eldar)

Netanyahu understands that a Palestinian leadership prepared to recognize Israel as a Jewish state is tantamount to an up-front concession on the Palestinian right of return.

Oct. 12, 2010 (Haaretz) -- Benjamin Netanyahu is not satisfied with forcing gentiles who wish to obtain Israeli citizenship to formally declare their recognition of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state. Now he is demanding that the neighbors on the other side of the border also declare Israel to be a Jewish state (what about "democratic"? ).

They will grant recognition in perpetuity, while he will grant a temporary settlement freeze for two months. Maybe three. Judaism for sale. 

And for those who think this is a condition for talks, think again. Bibi is innocently trying to rediscover the Israeli public's faith in the Palestinians, a faith that was lost following the violent events of the intifada. There once was a time when security was the famous catchword that was featured in Netanyahu's campaign commercials which vowed, "If they give [security], they'll receive."

When there are no terrorist attacks (though there are outposts), our salesman in chief invented the gimmick that is the Jewish state. They say it sells well in the Mahane Yehuda market. Perhaps it sells better than the wares peddled by Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman.

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