No Israeli Prime Minister – other than Ehud Barak – would ever consider giving control of Jerusalem to an Arab state again. Last time the Jews consented to anything but full control of the Old City, the moderate Arab kingdom of Jordan denied Jews access to the Western Wall, destroyed 56 synagogues, and desecrated the graves of pious Jews buried on the Mount of Olives, making latrines out of the tombstones. Meanwhile, under Israel’s control, all people from all religions get access to all sites in the city (well, unless those people are Jews trying to visit Islamic sites – but Muslims can hardly complain about that). Review: Arab control, no one gets to visit their holy sites; Jewish control, everyone gets to visit their holy sites. So of course, the very moderate Palestinian Authority chairman Mahmoud Abbas is declaring that he will not make peace unless Israel turns over Jerusalem to him:
“I renew the pledge to continue on the path that he started and exert whatever efforts are needed to raise the flag of Palestine on the walls, the minarets and the churches of Jerusalem,” Abbas said in a speech at the rally. Abbas, like many in the crowd, wore the traditional Palestinian “keffiyeh” scarf that became Arafat’s trademark. Pictures of Arafat were held by many in the crowd. Abbas earlier laid the foundation stone for a new mausoleum complex while Koranic verses were broadcast over loudspeakers.
Meanwhile, Palestinian terrorists firebombed homes in a Jerusalem suburb last Friday. To paraphrase: don’t search for fairness in the Middle East. It has abandoned these parts.
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