Weekly Commentary: Addressing Situation X Should Not Require Freeze On
Construction Or Annexation
Dr. Aaron Lerner 14 June 2019

Until now we have had, with minor exceptions, a building freeze in eastern
Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria in order to play ball with President Trump's
'deal of the century" with the idea that once its announced and rejected by
the Palestinians we can drop the freeze and take our destiny in our hands.

But that was before "Situation X".

I'm not gong to identify what "Situation X" is.

Suffice it to say that its now public knowledge that there is a huge defense
budget allocation which cannot be cut relating to "Situation X".

The temptation is great for various members of the defense establishment
elite who still dream of implementing the "two state solution" to cite
"Situation X" to justify continuing the building freeze and a continuing
hold on annexation plans.

By the same token, there are decision makers who, though not part of the
"two state solution" cult, embrace pretty much any and every justification
to continue kicking the Palestinian "can" down the road - with an ongoing
freeze and no initiatives.

So let's be clear about this.

The decision of all the players as to how they fit into plans for dealing
with "Situation X" are driven by their self interest.

There is not one Arab leader who is going to change how they fit into plans
for dealing with "Situation X" if Israel were to drop the building freeze or
even annex Area C and/or other areas.

And there is not one significant non-Arab element in the equation - be it
the USA, Russia, Europeans, etc. - who is going to change how they fit into
plans for dealing with "Situation X" if Israel were to drop the building
freeze or even annex Area C and/or other areas.

No. We do not need to fritter away an historic opportunity to take our
destiny in our hands just because of "Situation X".
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IMRA - Independent Media Review and Analysis

Since 1992 providing news and analysis on the Middle East with a focus on
Arab-Israeli relations

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