Comments on: UN: Israel Has Increased Checkpoints and Roadblocks in West Bank http://mondoweiss.net/2008/09/un-israel-has-increased-checkpoints-and-roadblocks-in-west-bank.html The War of Ideas in the Middle East Tue, 14 Feb 2012 07:08:00 +0000 hourly 1 By: Eva Smagacz http://mondoweiss.net/2008/09/un-israel-has-increased-checkpoints-and-roadblocks-in-west-bank.html/comment-page-1#comment-50424 Eva Smagacz Mon, 29 Nov 1999 23:00:00 +0000 http://www.philipweiss.org/mondoweiss/2008/09/30/un-israel-has-increased-checkpoints-and-roadblocks-in-west-bank.html#comment-50424 <p>This ties neatly with the recent report by NGOs that Tony Blair, as Quartet representative has been totally ineffectual in his proclaimed role of someone who is to improve conditions on the ground in Palestine to create environment to stop economic strangulation by occupying forces.</p> This ties neatly with the recent report by NGOs that Tony Blair, as Quartet representative has been totally ineffectual in his proclaimed role of someone who is to improve conditions on the ground in Palestine to create environment to stop economic strangulation by occupying forces.

]]> By: roGER http://mondoweiss.net/2008/09/un-israel-has-increased-checkpoints-and-roadblocks-in-west-bank.html/comment-page-1#comment-50425 roGER Mon, 29 Nov 1999 23:00:00 +0000 http://www.philipweiss.org/mondoweiss/2008/09/30/un-israel-has-increased-checkpoints-and-roadblocks-in-west-bank.html#comment-50425 <p>This is the major problem for any Palestinian leader and any international negotitiator or mediator. </p> <p>How can you reach an agreement with a country that simply lies and ignores agreements and treaties?</p> <p>I would argue the only way to deal with such a country is to apply economic force (sanctions), a coltural boycott, and to enforce any teritorial agreements with military force as well.</p> <p>Alas, thanks to the lobby, the chances of any American President agreeing to any of these forms of pressure (even if s/he knows such measures are vital) is zero.</p> <p>Hence we have the current situation; an endless military occupation accompanied by an endless peace process and ever new agreements and accords; all of which Israel breaks or ignores or 'interprets' in its own unique and criminal way.</p> This is the major problem for any Palestinian leader and any international negotitiator or mediator.

How can you reach an agreement with a country that simply lies and ignores agreements and treaties?

I would argue the only way to deal with such a country is to apply economic force (sanctions), a coltural boycott, and to enforce any teritorial agreements with military force as well.

Alas, thanks to the lobby, the chances of any American President agreeing to any of these forms of pressure (even if s/he knows such measures are vital) is zero.

Hence we have the current situation; an endless military occupation accompanied by an endless peace process and ever new agreements and accords; all of which Israel breaks or ignores or 'interprets' in its own unique and criminal way.

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