Finally, it is interesting to speculate how this reads from a Palestinian perspective. Brimmer seems to imply that not only can the Palestinian initiative succeed in delivering its primary goal of a propaganda victory with possible international legal ramifications. It could provoke a congressional response that will further weaken the U.S. in Turtle Bay and
Largely obscured by the Carmel forest fire, two related developments last week call to mind the sad old epigram: in the Middle East, an optimist thinks things could be worse, while a pessimist knows they will be. The United States announced it will no longer push for a further Israeli 90-day building freeze. At about the
The U.S. proposal for a ninety-day building freeze in the territories is a riddle. Prime Minister Netanyahu and Secretary of State Clinton evidently hammered out an American proposal Netanyahu believes he can get through his cabinet, one that would have Israel freeze settlement construction for ninety days in a one-off deal that includes American incentives.
