Here is a recent article from the NYT about the bargaining that is going on between the Israelis and Palestinians right now. Since this is a topic we will cover in some depth, it will probably do you some good to pay attention.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/12/world/middleeast/12mideast.html?ref=global-home
Remember, while thinking about this situation, try to think in terms of what we have been covering this semester. Each side has a reservation point, but each side has incentives to hide that reservation point. Further, there are individuals on each side of the conflict that have a more extreme reservation point than average. What types of behavior do they have an incentive to provide? What is up with the Israeli plan to make all citizens give Israel a pledge? Why would the Palestinians reject any plan that put a halt to settlements in the West Bank (For those of you not up on your modern Middle East history, the West Bank is territory that is "supposed" to belong to the Palestinians, but is occupied by the Israelis. While under occupation, the Israelis have been building settlements for more Israelis to move into the West Bank making it less likely that it will be returned to Palestine in the future)?
Interesting article. Just when you think things are moving, there has to be a defiant move from one side because of a posturing move from the other. Its tit for tat all day long. Hopefully the freeze will continue without much more debate. Requiring the Palestinians to recognize Israel as a state really just complicates the situation even more. Weird.
ReplyDeleteHere is a cool article. If you like it enough maybe it could have its own post... just sayin.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.theatlanticwire.com/opinions/view/opinion/Is-Israels-Loyalty-Oath-a-Good-Idea-5369
I thought the requirement for recognition was an interesting move as well. That seems (fairly obviously) outside of the bargaining range for the Palestinians. Did the Israelis purposely make demands that wouldnʻt (couldnʻt) be met?
ReplyDeleteYeah, this is going nowhere fast. I think Netanyahu's hands are tied by the Israeli right. While I don't think that oaths of loyalty are all that uncommon, this is certainly not a common situation. Who do they consider to be "immigrants"?
ReplyDeleteThey appear to be putting forth an offer that the Palestinian leadership cannot accept in order to clean their hands of a peace process in which they have no hopes for success.
My guess on why they might do this (despite the obviousness of it all) is because they know that the followers of the Israeli right will ignore the obvious in order to save themselves and point fingers at the Palestinians, further justifying their position and boosting excitement among the Israelis for their cause.
Like I said, going nowhere fast.
i also think that the Israeli are just complicating matters with this whole recognition thing. I dont know why the Palestinians would reject any plan that puts a halt on settlements in the West Bank area. I was thinking it will be the opposite. i have a question. Are the Palestinians really interested in getting the World Bank back since it originally belonged to them?
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