Believing that there are enough options to come to reasonable agreements, Tarazi then presented the bad news: the Israeli government is unable to view Christians and Muslims as having an equal right to live in the Holy Land. Of course, there are notable exceptions to this assertion, but by and large, it is true.
There is a "disillusioned Israeli left" who feels betrayed by Palestine's refusal of Barak's offer, and while most Israelis do say that they want a Palestinian state, this is primarily because they are desperate to find a way to get rid of the 3 million Palestinians who threaten their demographic concerns. They worry that the Palestinians will request such things as equal passports and would prefer a Palestinian state so that Palestinian people won't ask to come back to Israel.
Tarazi showed maps that reveal the current (and continuous) Israeli strategy. (He noted that these maps were delivered to Condoleeza Rice in early October). Essentially, the maps revealed that the location of settlements and settlement roads effectively cut off Jerusalem from the South and leave no ability for the Bethlehem towns and cities to expand.
The Israelis have said from the beginning of the occupation that these settlements would be built in this manner, and Israeli academics like Professor Jeff Halper have affirmed that in the case, for example, of one new settlement, there is no need for it based on housing needs of the Israeli population. So, this settlement will consist of such things as shopping malls and hotels rather than homes. Of course, the settlement is necessary if the intent of the government is to annex East Jerusalem by having a wall of settlements around the city that "will have to be annexed" in any final status negotiations.
There is a "disillusioned Israeli left" who feels betrayed by Palestine's refusal of Barak's offer, and while most Israelis do say that they want a Palestinian state, this is primarily because they are desperate to find a way to get rid of the 3 million Palestinians who threaten their demographic concerns. They worry that the Palestinians will request such things as equal passports and would prefer a Palestinian state so that Palestinian people won't ask to come back to Israel.
Tarazi showed maps that reveal the current (and continuous) Israeli strategy. (He noted that these maps were delivered to Condoleeza Rice in early October). Essentially, the maps revealed that the location of settlements and settlement roads effectively cut off Jerusalem from the South and leave no ability for the Bethlehem towns and cities to expand.
The Israelis have said from the beginning of the occupation that these settlements would be built in this manner, and Israeli academics like Professor Jeff Halper have affirmed that in the case, for example, of one new settlement, there is no need for it based on housing needs of the Israeli population. So, this settlement will consist of such things as shopping malls and hotels rather than homes. Of course, the settlement is necessary if the intent of the government is to annex East Jerusalem by having a wall of settlements around the city that "will have to be annexed" in any final status negotiations.