Netanyahu’s incredible spin: How they once more speak of 'Palestinian rejectionism'

[Israeli]

The ‘conflict of narratives’ hoax wins the day.

You’ve got to hand it to Bibi – he is the master of micro-politics. What he lacks in vision he makes up with details. He is also becoming very good setting the media’s agenda, something which he wasn’t able to do in either his first term, or the first several of years of his second term.

The “Jewish State” demand has effectively cornered Abbas into a familiar position: the Palestinians will reject a generous Israeli offer, without actually being offered anything. This is has turned out to be the most incredible turn of events. Netanyahu refused the 1967 borders, refused to accept a Palestinian capital in Jerusalem and even refused a settlement freeze; according to reports, Kerry didn’t get a single concession out of Bibi. But if you listen to the international media, the talks are about to break down due to Palestinian refusal over the “the Jewish State” hurdle.

Almost everything has been written about Netanyahu’s demand: how, by taking what was an insignificant detail in previous rounds of negotiations and turning it to the heart of the process, he managed to erase the Palestinian recognition in the State of Israel (which was the Rabin government’s greatest achievement); how he pushed the internal debate inside Israel even further into the ethnic-chauvinistic sphere, ignoring the fact that Israel is already a de-facto bi-national state with a Palestinian minority of more than 20 percent; how he further delegitimized the democratic idea of “a state for all its citizens”; and how he has given an excuse for the American Jewish community to turn its back on the Palestinians and turning a blind eye to the occupation.

The media is not asking the most basic of questions: aside for uttering the words “Palestinian state” – a term which becomes more elusive and hollow with each passing day – what is it exactly that Netanyahu agreed to? What will this state look like? Where does he envision the borders? Ever since he returned to office in 2009, Netanyahu has refused to say anything about everything that matters – borders, settlements, Jerusalem, the Gaza corridor. And he gets away with it.

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[Israeli]

1. more .....

Following Netanyahu’s footsteps, journalists and officials are now coming out with more talk of the “clash of narratives,” (to quote The New York Times’ Jodi Rudoren) which supposedly lies at the heart of the conflict. Again, this pure ideological fiction – a hoax which appeals to intellectuals who love words and hate real politics – one that is meant to justify depriving the Palestinian people of their rights for a few more years, perhaps even decades.

This is not a conflict of narratives – not any more than any other conflict in the world, for that matter. First and foremost, this is a conflict over assets, mostly land; the narrative is strictly a byproduct. It is useful for Israelis and their supporters to speak of “a conflict of narratives” because it makes the two parties seem equal, and some might even say that the Jewish narrative needs more support than the Palestinian one. But if you look at it as a fight over land, you notice than one side has been taking and the other losing for the past 120 years – there is no equality in this story whatsoever.

Even if you don’t agree with the above view, something else should be said on the topic: it is nearly impossible to reconcile competing narratives. The logic of political compromise – like the two-state solution, or even the one-state option – is that you share the assets and hope that if both sides feel satisfied enough, with time the competing narratives will evolve in a way that they could complete, rather than compete with each other.

By demanding that Palestinians become Zionists – this is what accepting a Jewish state in Palestine means, no? – Netanyahu is not trying to raise “the core problem,” but rather prevent ever reaching a solution, thus allowing Israel to continue chipping away at the real core issue – land.

Read more:
Why I oppose recognizing Israel as a Jewish state
Abbas must seek recognition from UN, not U.S.

Source: http://972mag.com/netanyahus-incredible-spin-how-they-once-more-speak-of-palestinian-rejectionism/88613/

[Jefferson23]

3. Powerful and clear, Bibi has chosen land over peace..always has with his underhanded means. n/t

[King_David]

2. Needs a link please nt

[Fozzledick]

4. Already making excuses for Abbas to reject a peaceful settlement.

As if he ever intended to negotiate in good faith.

[azurnoir]

5. The real question here is how much of a problem for Israel does Bibi fell the occupation is?

or for Bibi and Israel's rightwing is the problem everyone else?