[Dr. Aaron Lerner - IMRA:

It isn't going to be easy.

But it is definitely doable.

But we can't make it through the assault that is being orchestrated with our
hands tied behind our backs.

The Arabs (and the Israelis who are confident that if we would just give the
Arabs what they want there would be utopian peace) are going to slam both
our positions and just as important the leadership representing these
positions at every opportunity.

And what about us?

Will Mahmoud Abbas continue to be off limits?

Will the involvement of the PA in incitement be ignored?

Will we, for example, continue to find ourselves dealing with condemnation
for police activity on the Temple Mount instead of taking the offensive and
slamming Arab violence on the Temple Mount at every possible forum?]

Exclusive: U.S. vows to assign blame if Israel-PA talks fail
By Akiva Eldar, Haaretz Correspondent Last update - 19:59 05/03/2010
www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1154406.html

The United States government has committed to playing a role in indirect
talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, and promised that if the
talks were to fail, the U.S. will assign blame and take action, according to
a document sent by the U.S. to the Palestinian Authority, which Haaretz
obtained on Friday.

The U.S. government sent the document to the Palestinians responding to
their inquires regarding the U.S. initiative to launch indirect talks
between Israel and the Palestinians.

"We expect both parties to act seriously and in good faith. If one side, in
our judgment, is not living up to our expectations, we will make our
concerns clear and we will act accordingly to overcome that obstacle," it
was written.

This commitment by the U.S. was a determining factor in the Palestinians'
and the Arab League's decision to agree to the U.S. proposal on indirect
talks.

The document also reveals that U.S. involvement will include "sharing
messages between the parties and offering our own ideas and bridging
proposals."

The U.S. also emphasized that their main concern is establishing a
Palestinian state.

"Our core remains a viable, independent and sovereign Palestinian State with
contiguous territory that ends the occupation that began in 1967," the
document read.

Regarding the settlements, the U.S. noted its continued commitment to the
road map, which dictates that Israel must freeze all construction in the
settlements, and dismantle all outposts erected since March 2001.

"Palestinian leaders gave the U.S. response a warm welcome"

A prominent Palestinian official told Haaretz that the Palestinian
leadership welcomed the U.S. response, and the only reason PA President
Mahmoud Abbas delayed responding to the U.S. initially was so he could
receive support from the Arab League.

The Palestinians are especially satisfied from the U.S. commitment to put
the blame on the side responsible if the talks fail.