First of all, how come the Jewish Journal made no attempt to contact this involved and knowledgeable Staten in the wake of the Arab Spring sweeping the Middle East. In his book "The Case for Democracy", I believe that Mr. Sharansky pointed out that oppressed peoples will not live under tyranny forever. He even commented that the Mubarak regime was already shifting under its authoritarian weight, having allowed opposition parties to compete for political office in 2005. It was a small step for reform, but the freedom of speech available to Arab youth through the Internet turned that step into a giant leap which is reshaping the Arab world.
"It will be much more difficult for both sides to come to direct negotiations."
Indeed, with the Palestinians now defined politically, as well as culturally and religiously as a distinct entity from Israel, they will be more pressed to push against the Jewish State, not just demanding more autonomy in its new-found sovereignty, but also demanding more of Israel to be incorporated back into Arab hands. When will the demands on Israel ever abate?
Peace certainly cannot be imposed, nor can it be created unilaterally. But what is the world expecting the Jewish State to do when every time it comes to the negotiation table, the Palestinians shout back: "Death to Israel!" ?
There is no talking with such an entrench coterie of hatred. The Arab states, now more than ever inclined to define themselves, are moving to isolate, marginalize, and remove Israel. One crucial element of Muslim identity is predicated on the eradication of the Jews; there is simply no way to negotiate around this terrible tenet of radicalized Islamic faith.