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Israelis Unfazed by Stalemated Peace Talks

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JERUSALEM, Israel -- Despite the pronouncements of many media pundits, Israeli-Palestinian talks are as stalemated as they’ve ever been.

The Palestinian Authority refuses to budge on its demands, e.g., no recognition of Israel as the Jewish nation-state, a return to the pre-1967 “borders,” dividing Jerusalem into two capitals, a solution for the “refugees,” -- all nonstarters for Israel. Israel, in turn, will not bow to a construction freeze, for example, suggested by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry in his framework proposal. 

The result is that people go about their normal routines, while staying abreast of the latest developments and taking part in lively discussions on issues that very much affect their future.

Israel is, in a word, a vibrant, modern nation-state that’s accomplished amazing success in a relatively short time, surrounded by less-than-friendly neighbors.

Most Israelis have grown accustomed to the European Union’s propensity for supporting the Palestinian Authority while criticizing Israel; for instance, labeling products manufactured or grown in cities and towns in Judea and Samaria, potentially making them less desirable or even more costly, or buying into the Boycott, Divest and Sanctions (BDS) movement against the Jewish state.

Much of it is the “same old, same old,” and Israelis simply refuse to take it to heart. Besides increasing evidence of growing anti-Semitism worldwide, Israeli children know the history of the systematic genocide of six million Jews by the Nazi reign, among them a million children.

Today’s generation of movers and shakers in business, technology, medicine, engineering, agriculture, etc.,  served compulsory military duty in the Israel Defense Forces before going on to undergraduate and graduate degrees.

Growing up literally defending the right to exist develops a certain fortitude and determination to succeed.

So whether the talks continue or they don’t, Israelis will keep building on the miracle that is their modern nation.

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About The Author

Tzippe
Barrow

From her perch high atop the mountains surrounding Jerusalem, Tzippe Barrow tries to provide a bird’s eye view of events unfolding in her country. Tzippe’s parents were born to Russian Jewish immigrants, who fled the czar’s pogroms to make a new life in America. As a teenager, Tzippe wanted to spend a summer in Israel, but her parents, sensing the very real possibility that she might want to live there, sent her and her sister to Switzerland instead. Twenty years later, the Lord opened the door to visit the ancient homeland of her people.