The Palestinian Authority (PA) has offered to recognize Israel “by whatever name it applies to itself in accordance with international law” in exchange for “a map of the borders of the state of Israel which they want us to recognize.” This according to senior Palestinian official,Yasser Abed Rabbo, in an interview with Agence France-Presse (AFP).
The offer is a response to the US and Israeli demand that the PA recognize Israel as a state of the Jewish people in exchange for a settlement freeze extension.
I think this is a very clever démarche by the Palestinian Authority. If the peace process were a chess game, it could be a winning move. However, in the real world, the Americans will quietly, privately, yet forcefully tell Abbas, “no way Mahmoud” and go back to business as usual.
The bottom line is Netanyahu is not willing to seriously talk about giving up any of the West Bank.
The question is: Is Obama? Is JStreet? I am not holding my breath for the answer.
