The Jewish State Question

Jan. 6 (Bloomberg) -- As he struggles to bring Israelis andPalestinians closer on the four main issues that have longprevented a settlement of their conflict, U.S. Secretary ofState John Kerry now finds himself confronted with a fifth:Palestinians, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu haslately been saying, must recognize Israel as a Jewish state.

Given that Palestinian leaders have recognized Israel’sright to exist, as well as Netanyahu’s well-establishedresistance to making concessions, it’s fair to wonder whetherhe’s deliberately creating an obstacle to progress. At the sametime, his rationale makes a certain amount of sense. If thePalestinians acknowledge that Jews have a legitimate claim inthe land of Israel, won’t they be less likely, after a finalaccord is signed, to continue fighting for all of that land?