tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34135100.post4181835414925167247..comments2024-01-21T02:42:13.447-05:00Comments on Middle East Reality: If Iran Were AmericaArnold Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11445744338502151561noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34135100.post-44160227604370393482008-02-15T14:57:00.000-05:002008-02-15T14:57:00.000-05:00This is off-topic, but I was very late returning t...This is off-topic, but I was very late returning to the discussion at Helena Cobban's place, and by the time I did, comments were closed. I just wanted to respond to the following:<BR/><BR/><I>I took Jonathon Edelstein's initial questioning of the value of a ceasefire by Hamas if Hamas does not recognize Israel as a Jewish state as an expression of sympathy for the Israel/Rice/Bush position that negotations on other issues such as a cease fire and ending the siege should follow a recognition of Israel as a pre-requisite.</I><BR/><BR/>I see that you subsequently rethought this, but for the record, I was <I>not</I> intending to express sympathy for that position. Nor do I have sympathy for it. I believe that negotiations, whether for a cease-fire or otherwise, should have no prerequisites. I was, instead, responding to the implicit equation of "recognizing Israel" with "collaboration" and arguing that, if it is true that no Palestinian group that recognizes Israel can ever gain internal legitimacy, then a cease-fire in itself will not be enough to solve the long-term conflict.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com