Thursday, August 16, 2007

Giuliani Understands a Little about the Israeli/Palestinian Conflict

Presidential hopeful Giuliani seems to have a firmer grasp of the Israeli/Palestinian situation than many politicians, as this story demonstrates.

The money quote:

Israel National News reported that "former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani has bucked the party line of successive US administrations and come out against the establishment of a Palestinian State." They added that he "warned against the push by President George Bush and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to establish a state in Judea & Samaria ruled by Fatah."

These comments by Giuliani were made in the September/October issue of the journal Foreign Affairs. Giuliani also said that "it is not in the interests of the United States at a time when it is being threatened by Islamist terrorists, to assist in the creation of another state that will support terrorism." Giuliani said Palestinians must show "a clear commitment to fighting terrorism, and willingness to live in peace with Israel." He argued that the problem for Palestinians was not a "lack of statehood" but good governance and that too much emphasis had been placed on Israeli-Palestinian talks which just brought up the same issues "again and again."

Until the Arab/Muslim world in general, and the Palestinians in particular, are willing to acknowledge the existence of Israel as a sovereign state, and stop calls for Israel's destruction, then the Palestinians cannot possibly be formed into a legitimate country. Giuliani seems to understand this.

Update: More on Giuliani's statements thanks to Little Green Footballs.

No comments: