John Kerry: Israel lacks viable partner

[Herschel]

Democratic presidential candidate US Senator John Kerry said Monday that the absence of a Palestinian partner "who can deliver" has hampered Israel's ability to engage in peace negotiations.

Both he and former Vermont Governor Howard Dean, who is also vying for the Democratic nomination, said the US needed to support the Palestinian Authority to help contain Hamas's increasing popularity on the ground.
Speaking in New Hampshire a day before the crucial primary there, Kerry said it is "for us to leverage the Palestinian Authority to be able to become stronger on the ground in the West Bank than Hamas is.

"Today Hamas has more credibility with the people than they do. And it's very difficult for Israel to negotiate because Israel has nobody to negotiate with who can actually deliver," Kerry said.

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http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1075114462105&p=1006688055060

It is pleasing to see Kerry take an acceptable position as he may well be the nominee. Fortunately, Dean has faltered, along with his waffling position on Israel. The success of Kerry will help ensure the Democratic party continues it's tradition of supporting Israel.

[Resistance]

1. If Israel were actually negotiating

then Kerry might have a point.

But since Israel chooses to terrorize Palestinians, killing innocents and demolishing homes, building an Apartheid Wall which grabs more land, and recklessly invading refugee camps, then the assumption here that Israel even has a desire to negotiate is totally false.

[Herschel]

4. Please!

Little Israel defends herself while her children are blown up on buses and in cafes, and you say she does not want peace. How dare you.

[Resistance]

5. murdering civilians

and destroying their homes is not self-defense.

[Herschel]

6. The IDF commits no murder

You are referring to collateral damage.

[DuctapeFatwa]

8. He meant to say "would be murder if Palestinians did it"

I blame English. Despite the obvious need, the language has consistently failed to develop a new verb tense to indicate what an action would be called if non-Israelis, especially Arabs, were the entity performing the action.

A brief survey indicates that English is not alone in this apparently deliberate omission.

A conspiracy, perhaps?

[IndianaGreen]

9. Actually, John Kerry said that

when he said there was no one in Israel to negotiate with.

I am waiting for AIPAC and their cohorts to go to the matresses against Kerry for such an insult.

I'm waiting...

chirp... chirp... chirp

[Darranar]

11. I think he corrected himself and said he was misinterpreted.

[IndianaGreen]

16. Another waffle from Kerry

I remember when the AIPAC crowd went after Dean when he said something about the US needing to be an honest broker. Where are they now?????????

[Muddleoftheroad]

7. Yeah, that Barak guy never made ANY offer

[Darranar]

14. Sharon is no Barak.

[Metrix]

2. Kerry in equals Sharon out

.

[lefty_mcduff]

3. Uhm.

I thought Kerry was running to be a candidate for the POTUS?

[vierundzwanzig]

10. Hi-Ho for Kerry

Anybody seen his campaign advisor on James Zogby? What a hypocrite!

A week ago he promised balanace in the Middle East. Corruption on both sides apart: What exactly distingushes the PA from the Knesset? Both cash in wherever they go.

Darn, I wanted to call in and I have set my Palm Pilot to alert me for the next show next week on satellite.

He ain't getting my vote, for sure.

James said he'd invite some repukes as well but as far as I would judge that would be the day hell (a place in Michigan) freezes over.

/re

[Darranar]

12. I think the leaders of both Israel and the Palestinians are unwilling...

to negotiate.

[tinnypriv]

13. Maybe this idiot should talk to Akiva Eldar (nt)

[anti-NAFTA]

15. Israel's government is corrupted by

real estate interests. Pure and simple.