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Clinton Calls Israeli Concessions 'Unprecedented' : NPR

In this NPR story (see the link below) Secretary of state Hillary Clinton calls the Stafe of Israel's lukewarm reduction of settlement building in the West Bank 'unprecedented'.

Wow! Unprecedented; imagine that! So how come it feels no different in terms of tangible outcomes. Palestinians and Israelis are not conversing and the settlements are getting built notwithstanding the reduction. How unproductive is that?

Speaking of unproductive: how about if the Palestinian leadership gets into some serious talks with Israelis and call their bluffs and bad-faith attitude, at least that way they can tell them to their face that what they're doing (building settlements while
"negotiating") is wrong. If the political process is the continuation of belligerence by other means they can denounce the systematic displacement of Palestinians and try to get world public opinion on their side.

And how about the US administration showing some leadership on this matter. How about some assertiveness to go with it? As long as I'm criticizing, where are the European voices? Their silence speaks volumes.

And finally, Hamas. It's been two years since they wrested power and ousted Fatah from the Gaza strip. Funny, I thought this whole unproductive attempt at civil war amongst Palestinian factions was based on frustration at Fatah for their moderate stance and the alleged perception that it was not bringing the reality of a Palestinian state any closer. Hamas had had their way for two years, are they any closer to any sort of groundbreaking achievement?

Read the link below and tell me what you think

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114363375&ft=1&f=1001
Sent from my iPhone

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