In its efforts to revive peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, the Obama Administration has made numerous demands for Israeli concessions such as the release of Palestinian prisoners who have murdered Israelis. The only significant demand Secretary of State John Kerry has made of the Palestinian Authority is to recognize Israel as a Jewish state. Of course, PA President Mahmoud Abbas has said no way, no how, no chance.
A couple of days ago, State Department Jen Psaki conducted
an interview with
al-Quds, a Palestinian newspaper and stated, “There is no need for the Palestinians to recognize Israel as a Jewish state.”
It could be that Psaki was freelancing. But it is far more likely that Psaki’s statement represents a shift in Obama Administration policy. In which case, either Obama or Kerry (possibly both) will tell Israel to drop its demand that the PA recognize it as a Jewish state.
Of course, this whole process has been a waste of time from the outset. The Palestinians have no interest of co-existing with Israel and why should it as long as the Obama Administration isn’t serious about placing any meaningful pressure on the Palestinian Authority.