"Jews are news", again turned out to be so true this week as the Israeli Knesset approved a bill which would requirs a two-thirds majority to cede land in east Jerusalem to the Palestinians or in the Golan Heights to Syria. Failing that, either withdrawal would become subject to a referendum.
I'm all for our politicians making decisions that properly reflect people's aspirations. It would be awful to think that any Israeli government would run rough-shod over the views of the public. I therefore see nothing wrong with the principle of a referendum, or even a parliamentary vote.
My problem is that this new measure from the Netanyahu administration could appear to the world as the Israeli goverment building yet another obstacle to the possibility of peace the Palestinians or Syria. I would now like to see the Israeli Prime Minister putting extra effort into conveying his heartfelt hope that peace can be achieved.
My dear Yael: every time I write something about Israel's security and the continuing tensions with some of its neighbours, I cannot help but wish that this will all read as some kind of a history lesson to a young woman who has never know anything but peace. I remain confident that this is the last chapter in the story of modern Israel's struggle for universal recognition.
Grandpa Jonathan
Prague, Czech Republic
