Israel: Policy for REAL Peace

While I was having trouble with this issue, the Captain posts: Perhaps Olmert Is Learning, And Maybe We're Not...which falls in complete alignment with my thoughts! Excerpt:
"If we've reduced ourselves to having to choose which flavor of terrorism we'll tolerate, we have dramatically lowered our expectations on the war against terrorists, probably to the point of losing entirely...Read more
Will Abbas Enforce a Cease-Fire? (Khaled Abu Toameh)Why Rush to Talk? (Victor Davis Hanson)AP Photo/David Silverman, Pool"I hold out my hand in peace to our Palestinian neighbors
in the hope that it won't be returned empty," Olmert said.SOURCE
"We, the state of Israel, will agree to the evacuation of many territories and the settlements that we built there. This is extremely difficult for us, like the splitting of the Red Sea. We will do it for real peace," he said.

He said that if the Palestinians establish a new government committed to carrying out the U.S.-backed "road map" peace plan and securing the release of a captured Israeli soldier, then he would call for an immediate meeting with Abbas "to have a real, open, honest, serious dialogue between us."

Olmert said that Israel planned to release "many Palestinian prisoners," including those serving long sentences, as a trust-building measure after Palestinian militants freed the captured soldier alive and healthy.

To me, this policy demonstrates considerable sincerity on Israel's part, as it equates fairness and symbolizes true possibility; but I live in the states. What some in Israel are saying (Details & posts Below)Israel would also ease the checkpoints across the West Bank, improve border terminals in Gaza, release the frozen money to the Palestinians and help develop a plan to rehabilitate their crippled economy, he said.

In exchange, Olmert said Palestinians would have to renounce violence, recognize Israel's right to live in peace and security and give up their demands to allow refugees from the 1948 Mideast War to return to their homes in what is now Israel.~~~~~~The time has come to close this chapter of history. Granted it has become embedded into the region... Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said the Palestinians were ready to negotiate a final peace deal.

"I believe Mr. Olmert knows he has a partner, and that is President Abbas. He knows that to achieve peace and security for all, we need to shoot for the end game," Erekat said.

Others Posting:Allahpundit at Hotair: Video: Carter blames Israel for failure of roadmap,
denies he’s anti-Israel; Update: Carter says Shalit
kidnapping “probably” a mistake
LGF: Jimmy Carter: Israel Bad, Palestinians Good
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Conservativecat