Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Netanyahu's Syrian distraction


France-brokered talks between Syria and Israel are unlikely to provide an avenue for peace – neither is offering anything new

Chris Phillips
guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 24 November 2009

"....Netanyahu has perfected the art of procrastination and distraction and will happily accept plaudits for sitting down with the Syrians while openly defying Obama by expanding settlements in the West Bank. Assad, in the meantime, knowing his population would never accept a separate peace that sells out the Palestinians, would hope for economic benefits just for beginning negotiations even if they were ultimately doomed in this form.

There is a danger, though, that France, the US and the international community will allow the reopening of the Syria track to distract them. But after the abysmal failure to apply real pressure on Israel over negotiations with the Palestinians, is another bilateral distraction really better than an engaged drive for a comprehensive peace?"

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