The Foolish Palestinian Gambit

The Palestinians are headed for a big disappointment in the UN this week.  They're trying to end run Israel by getting a statehood declaration from the UN, but the U.S. is likely to veto it in the Security Council.  It's a foolish gambit that will only increase tensions in the region:

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has a message for President Obama: ‪

"You promised me a state by September 2011. I hope you will deliver."‬

Oh Mahmoud, you dummy. Don't you know that Obama makes lots of promises he doesn't keep?

In an exclusive interview with Fox News, the Palestinian president said he's willing to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the United Nations this week.

Netanyahu will arrive in New York on Wednesday as the Palestinians press for recognition at the U.N. The United States vows to veto Abbas' attempt to get the Security Council to approve Palestinian membership, but the effort to gain observer status through a vote of the full General Assembly is more likely.

The U.S. and Israel oppose such a move, arguing that progress needs to be achieved through peace negotiations, not unilateral -- and mostly symbolic -- action by the U.N.

Abbas told Fox News he hasn't given up on negotiations.

"I will meet any Israeli official any time," said Abbas. "But there is no use if there is nothing tangible."

Abbas insists any future negotiations would have to include Israeli recognition of borders based on the 1967 lines, territory the Jewish state annexed during the war in 1967.

Israel already recognizes the 1967 borders - they recognize that they're indefensible and the new territory was fairly won after they were attacked by their neighbors. They're not giving it back, especially to people who have sworn to wipe them from the earth.

Bottom line:  If the Palestinians lay down their weapons today there will be peace in the Middle East tomorrow.  If Israel lays down their weapons today there will be no Israel tomorrow.

Peace is up to the Palestinians.  If they wish to quit being barbarians and killers there may come a day when they can be accepted into the civilized world.