Peace needs compromise.

Israel is again nearing a war with Hamas ever since it blew Ahmed al-Jabari a couple of days ago. He was the commander of the armed wing of the Hamas and was responsible for the abduction of Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit on 25 June 2006. Shalit was finally freed in a prisoner exchange on 18 October 2011. The Arabs have never been friends of India, choosing always to support Pakistan with money and arms even though Nehru was a staunch supporter of the Palestinian cause. Even today countries of the middle east are using their oil wealth to finance Lashkar e Toiba in their terrorist attacks against India. Just 40 years ago Indians were not allowed to travel to Israel and anyone wanting to do so would have to travel to a third country and obtain a visa on a separate piece of paper which they would throw away on return so that they would not be arrested in India. As friends of Israel we would like it to be a place of peace but that will not be possible unless they reach some sort of understanding with the Palestinians. If Hamas is intransigent they should conclude a deal with the Al Fatah group led by Mahmoud Abbas which would split the Palestinians into two. In May 2008 chief Palestinian negotiator, Ahmed Qureia proposed that Israel annex all Jewish settlements in Jerusalem except Har Homa. The Guardian Weekly, 28 January 2011. All these settlements are regarded as illegal since Israel's annexation of East Jerusalem in 1967. " This is the first time in history that we make such a proposition," said Qureia. But Tzipi Livni rejected the proposal out of hand because the Palestinians did not concede Har Homa and settlements at Ma'alo Adumim near Jerusalem and Ariel, deep in the West Bank. In October 2009, Saeb Erakat told US officials," Even the Old City can be worked out except the Haram( al Sharif ) and what they call Temple Mount. There you need creativity of people like me." Erakat asked Livni," Short of your jet fighters in my sky and your army in your territory can I choose where I secure external defence?" She replied," No. In order to create your state you have to agree in advance with Israel - you have to choose not to have the right of choice afterwards." This was too rude and rigid for anyone to accept. Had the Israelis been wise they would have concluded a deal with the Fatah wing, which would then be able to boast of a victory, isolating Hamas in the Gaza strip. Sadly that opportunity was allowed to slip away and today Israel is having to cope with a barrage of rockets from Gaza while the government in the West Bank is trying to obtain permanent observer status at the UN. Erakat told Obama's peace envoy to the middle east, George Mitchell," What good am I if I'm the joke of my wife, if I"m so weak." With Arabs, you kiss them on their cheeks while stabbing them in the back. Israel forgot.