Palestinian Statehood

It is hard to imagine a more counterproductive act in the Mid-East peace process than granting the Palestinians statehood.  Since Oslo, the premise of the entire process has been "land for peace" -- in return for Israeli cession of land and autonomy the PA is to crack-down on the terrorist elements within its society.

Land and autonomy have been ceded -- on multiple occasions, as it happens -- without peace being provided in return.  The PA, in other words, has gotten more and more of what it has wanted without being compelled to hold up its end of the bargain.

Now they ask for statehood with much of the international community's endorsement.  It will not happen now or in the imminent future (the United States will veto the initiative in the UN Security Council), but that the idea has so much support speaks to how little those global actors interested in peace in the Holy Land know how to achieve it.

By mistakenly believing that peace is just one more Israeli concession away without holding the PA accountable for itself, Palestinians have come to understand that no change in the way they operate is really needed: international pressure will eventually compel the Israelis to make every concession they desire.  Terrorism thus continues and a lasting peace slips farther away.

The push for Palestinian statehood is just the latest, and how anyone can support the idea given the present state of affairs strains reason.  Having felt no compulsion to pacify its society, the PA hasn't.  The state created would thus be saturated, nay controlled by elements seeking to destroy the state next door.

That this is so little understood only means that peace is as far away as ever.  The ball is in the Palestinians' court and they are the ones whom the international community should hold accountable.  No one else.