'>My'>http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/22759807"> Rating: 5 of 5 stars
It's so informative, it's like eating the New York Times archives. Great fiber. I highly recommend this book if you want to start understanding the conflicts and connectedness of Middle East.
Also- I do not think Friedman's ultimatum prescription as offered by the Israelis unilaterally, would be acceptable to the Palestinians. Even granted the West Bank and Gaza, I do not see the Palestinians being willing to demilitarize and disband the PLO (as if the peoples in West Bank and Gaza would be able to accomplish the demobilization of such a broad sweeping Middle East movement like the PLO). The more I think about it, the more I think the Palestinians would say, "Heck no- this is even less than 1947. And you want us to disarm while you surround us with your huge military? And your argument for this is, 'Take what you can get now. It's all you can get now, and still more than you'll get tomorrow??'" Not sure this would cut the mustard at all. Maybe if the Israeli withdrawal were the leading element of the five year transitional period. Perhaps if the Isralis agreed to a pre-emptive withdrawal, whereby the Palestinians get their absentee elections and establishment of statehood before being asked to completely disarm. In the creation of the official Palestinian state, it should be mandated that they disaffiliate with the PLO. Even this will probably not be possible.
After reading this book, I feel much more comfortable in just entering this discussion. However, unfortunately, I am a lot less optimistic of a compromise or a solution. I am far more hopeful though, that it is possible to understand and untangle the mystery of the conflicts. I look forward to learning more as the situation develops. I am hopeful the situation evolves.
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