September 2, 2010

I've Been Thinking:

"Seize the moment." "Don't let this opportunity slip through our fingers."

President Obama has used these metaphors repeatedly in describing the talks between Israelis and Palestinians.

"This moment of opportunity may not soon come again." "They cannot afford to let it slip away."

The reality, however, is that this moment, the one taking place in Washington, DC. is totally artificial and purely man- made. The meeting was forced on both parties. It has nothing to do with timing. Actually - the timing is terrible.

The big event happens the day before the Labor Day weekend. Then comes Rosh Hashanah. After that, from September 10-13, is the three-day Muslim holiday called Id al Fitr. followed by Yom Kippur and Sukkot.

The reality is that until October, there is no actual time to sit down. Clearly, there is no burning need to sit down and talk. But the US administration wants this to happen now.

So now is when it is happening.

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