Ty, to correct you: Arabs represent 20% of Israel's citizen base. Further, there are 12 Arabs currently sitting in Israel's Knesset (parliament), and there have been a total of 52 members who were Arab in Israel's history (since 1949). Number of Jewish members of Arab legislatures: 0.

Nancy, Toronto, Canada

Unfortunately it is not the nation of Israel that is vowing to wipe out other nations, or peoples who inhabit their land. The radical Arabs around them continue to send suicide bombers into the Jewish neighborhoods. Giving away land such as Nazareth, Bethany, and Jericho has not changed anything.

Paul J Sproviero, minneapolis, USA

It was not Israel who started the 6 day war nor did they seek to gain the land they now have. It became there's as they defended themselves against nations and people who want to destroy them. It is insane to give land back to those who will NEVER live in peace with Israel.

Frank, Camp Hill, USA

Obama has MANY advisors - some with conflicting views.

He does not "cherry pick" advisors that agree with him. He purposely seeks advisors that hold different - and sometimes adversarial views. The fact that one group of advisors might say something, is insignificant.

David Potter, Bossier City, USA

Israel has to return to 1967 borders returning the Palestinian land,if it wants to live in peace in the heart of the Arab World.
Still I doubt that Mr.Obama can make Israel sign a peace deal with the Palestinians.
The fact is Israel is not interested in peace.

Antonio da Silva, Rosario, argentina

I say this to Obama and his anti israeli advisers: "Leave Israel alone. No withdrawing to borders that predate the Six Day war and no east Jerusalem to give to palestinians. No pressure on Israel to accept the fake plan of the saudis. Nobody gives you mandate to do so. The plot shall not prevail.

azariah, Chicago, USA

When will Israel begin to realise that it is THEM who are the fopreigners and it is THEM who have to recognise the Palestinians before they can start demanding that other people recognise them. This peace process will not work.

George, Bradenton, USA

Exactly how many land for peace deals has Israel entered into with the Arabs and STILL does NOT have peace? HOW will this one be any different...because Obama endorses it...? Yeah Right....... How much MORE land can Israel give up before there is no more room for her citizens to live?

Doug Stein, detroit, USA

Israel has attempted many peace initiatives in the past including things such as land giveaways, prisoner releases, providing food and medicine to the Palestinians, giving them weapons and explosives (to protect themselves from each other), and many other incentives, but they get terror in response.

Alec Paterson, London, UK

If Israel were to accept the Saudi Peace Plan, Iran would no longer be their enemy and there would be no need for sanctions on Iran.

Eleanor Lambertson, Quincy, USA

Ref R. Johnson: It is not "that capitulation only shows weakness." That argument is used by silly bully boys. It is, rather, aggression that shows weakness. This has become manifestly obvious since Bush and Co. created the U.S. Empire.

sarah meyer, nr. Lewes, UK

Marcus, Albany, USA: What do you mean, soverign land of Isael? It was not a country until it was made by the US after WW2. Otherwise, Return teh whole of the USA to the native Americans, or just California to the Mexicans!

Rob, Singapore,

Marcus,

You mean the way the Europeans usurped the sovereign land of the original nations of the "Americas"? The Europeans have many states to call a homeland back in Europe. So you should all go back to Europe.

J, San Jose , USA

Since when is Livni the front runner?

as an israeli i can tell you that Livni, and the whole leftist movement in israel, are politically dead...

netenyahu and the right winged parties are projected to win by every single poll!

joe, ranana, israel

It's always amazed me that every Arab country has Jews that are citizens - yet Israel gets to exist as a country and can ONLY have Jews as citizens. No Arab can be a citizen of Israel, but Jews can be citizens of Iran. And some wonder why so many Arabic countries are ticked off about that.

Ty, Hickory,

How about Same Day Elections?
When the Israelis organise election in February next year, the Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza also have elections - and the Palestinian refugees also elect their own representatives.
Let's hear all the voices.

Hugo van Randwyck, London, UK

The only peace Israel will have from the Muslim word is the word peace without the reality. Look at Southern Lebanon, look at Gaza. This is what happens whenever Israel has appeased an enemy that is implacable.

Abu Nudnik, Toronto, Canada

> The 'why not' is because
That argument is so stupid, and ahistoric. By that logic, shouldn't European Americans turn over this nation to the Native Americans and leave? After all, the NAs have just one homeland, this, while whites have many countries! And no, Israel was not the original nation.

Ramki, Castro Valley CA, USA

The 'why not' is because the Palestinians as you call them already have many Muslim states to call a homeland and there is only one Jewish state...Israel. Also, there were many countries that made up the loose alignment of Palestine, which usurped the sovereign land of the original nation of Israel.

Marcus, Albany, USA

Israel will want to trade the settlement land for some desert near the Gaza Strip. ie: they want to trade the most desirable parts of the West Bank for some desert land.
Do you think the Palestinians will agree.
Also, the Israelis want control of the border and air around Palestine.

Tim, Toronto,

Peace in our time!

David E. Bergstein, NY, USA

.......And will the Israelis agree to such a proposal? I recently travelled to Israel and the impression I got is, that the majority of Israelis do support the greater Israel philosophy and not peace.

rudy, london, uk

Michael Davison - remember it was less than a year ago that Hamas acknowledged that they would recognise Israel within pre-'67 borders, apparently to Jimmy Carter's delegation.

Marty, Manchester, UK

pre-1967 borders ?? While that may make sense on paper it's like the borders in Africa drawn by the major powers which have been the seeds of distruction. The pre-1967 borders may be a base to work from but a lot of adjustments will be needed. incl land exchanges

T Golan, Stockholm, Sweden

when God shows the world, that He is not kidding, about putting His name(Jesus Christ) in Jerusalem, It'll be a jaw dropper. Doubt it ?. Check out (Philipians 2:9-11). Oh, and the peace of God be upon you. May He open your understanding of the scriptures. In the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

chris waessil, alma, usa

Let Israel keep what is Israels

Fertic, Tampa, USA

The word objectivity is a foreign word to Obama and his elk.
It is all about the cult of personality and therein lies the key to the door of his ultimate failure to succeed in the long run.
Oops, sorry about the blatant metaphor!

Prudence Eely Bond McGuire BA, LONDON, ENGLAND UK

Mr. Walmsley, I agree with you. It amazes me that through all this, at times, logical conversation on the subject, you are the only one who really expresses the only method upon which true peace can be found. Unfortunately, as the Bible teaches, the conflict in the Middle East will only increase.

Mrs. Torres, California, USA

One womders how long vintz thinks the UK is going to continue to exist. His idea for a bi- national Israeli-Palestinian state is a non-starter. And isn't it remarkable that he doesn't advance the idea of a bi-national Jordanian-Palestinian state, one that would make a lot more sense.

john, London, england

I lived in the Netherlands for 11 years. What most surprised me about the "liberal" Dutch was a widespread vitriolic hate of all things Jewish.

My mother-in-law once said that whilst she couldn't condone Hitler's actions, she could certainly understand them. I've never understood such hatred.

Frank, Albuquerque, NM, USA

The problem is that millions of Arabs consider the existence of any type of Israeli state to be unacceptable. An independent Palestine will merely become the breeding ground for Islamic extremists intent on wiping out Israel altogether. And the pre-1967 border would make that objective a lot easier.

John, Detroit, USA

Muslims and Arabs reading this: really? If Israel returns land captured in 1967 do you believe the Muslim countries and the agencies of Hamas, Hizbollah and similar will make peace with Israel?

Many guests,everyone I asked, at a pro-Palestinian fundraiser answered "no" to this question.

Jez, Manchester, UK

I keep hearing form Israel firsters that Israel has the right to exist.

What about the Palestinians don't they also have the same right.

If not why not and please don't even mention the remarkable nonsense that the Jews are God's chosen people.

Mannstein, Cambridge, USA

Alice,
Your comment " the threat of Iran wont go away" is partially true, but only in the context of some indiviuals specifically, Amadadinijad, some politically motiveate Iatollah's and maybe some illinformed brainwashed military personel. The balance of the Iranian people are smart, pragmatic.

Mike O'Neill, Victorville,CA, USA

When Israel won the Arab war of aggression in 1967, Jews returned to the areas of their ancestral homeland they had been ethnically cleansed from in 1948 by Egypt & Jordan for 19 years. Anti-Israel propaganda DECEITFULLY calls Jews' legitimate return "occupation"..

Linda Rivera , New York, USA

You must ask, do they teach history in schools/colleges in the USA? Israel came into existence in 1948, carved out of a British protectorate called Palestine. The claims of Jews for an independent state in Palestine carry as much legitimacy as the American Indians claim for the USA!

Kevin Sullivan, London,

Shortly after the 1967 War, the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff submitted their report stating Israel can only be defensible if it retains Judea, Samaria, Gaza, the Golan, the tip of the Sinai, Sharm El-Sheikh and all of Jerusalem. A Muslim state reduces Israel at mid-section to 9 miles wide borders!

Linda Rivera , New York, USA

A Pan-Arabic peace deal is first step. Placing the capital of both Israel and Palestine in Jerusalem is the second. Why can't both nations also be combined under one upper congress where every citizen has a vote and is represented equally, while each nation still exists unto itself not unlike UK?

vintz, wankershire, england

To be accurate one has to say Shimon Peres did NOT endorse the whole Saudi peace plan. He commended its spirit, not the whole plan. Just read carefully what Shimon Peres actually said. He picked extracts from what the Saudi ruler said and said Israel agreed with those. But did leave some points out

Helene Keller-Lind, Paris, France

The "threat" of Iran won't go away, because it is in US interests to make sure that this myth remains, in order to justify its aggression in the Middle East.

Alice, London, UK

I see that Abbas, Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Hezbollah will settle for nothing less than for every Arab who identifies as a descendant of a former resident of Israel be allowed to live in Israel. I don't think the Israelis will bite that titbit.

R Mason, London, UK

Does accepting Israel mean that the Arab countries will change their textbooks and the culture that promotes hatred and violence toward Jews. Until and unless this happens there will be never be peace. Pardon me for not trusting the country that is one of the biggest exporters of terrorism!

Andrew, Boston, USA

Obama is acting according to law and the rights of palestines as judged by internatial law. Leave religion out of it. Lets support justice and not irrational criteria of jews being chosen people. The majority of the world supports this cause and more importantly gone is the ONLY israeli supporter

Yasmin, London, UK

Anthony M, albuquerque, USA
in what way should they be reponsible? And are the Israeli's responsible enough for you ?
You are undermining a nation there, and thats grosly disrespecful. As for the chosen people, thats what caused this mess in the first place. Lets support JUSTICE

Yasmin, London, UK

Obama is sure ignorant, but that is no surprise. I had him pegged for this long ago. The thing I've learned from so many years abroad, is that Arabs don't compromise. There is no such thing as peace in the middle east, when the Arab world advocates the destruction of Israel. Check out memri.org...

Sarah, Chicago,

9:29 Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, (even if they are) of the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued

Baxter, London, UK

under no circumstance should Isreal any country to establish its capital at Jerusalem, the promised land. Obama should forget about that idea. Isreal is Isreal so let the palestines stay where they are and leave Isreal alone

patrick, Abetifi, Ghana

I don't really think Israel has a choice unfortunately. But I do hope the Arab world makes peace in good faith. I have no problem with Palestine becoming a nation, as long as they are responsible. If not they deserve the outcome. US must now and always support the land of gods chosen people

Anthony M, albuquerque, USA

This is nothing new and is history repeating itself. This same naive attitude was used by Clinton and it resulted in the second intifada.

Unless and until radical Islamists are eliminiated, controlled, or accept Israel which is unlikely, then it really does not matter what arab governments do.

S. Markom, New York City, USA

Obama is about to implement Jehadists' dream to Islamize the world by sizing down Israel borders as the first step. He will soon see that water runs much deeper than he thought. He is too nave if he thinks he can change the Quranic ideal to expand over non-muslim zones.

Kamal, Kolkata,

We can all only hope that Obama takes an objective stance acceptable to both sides, and finally solves this problem. The suffering of both sides have continued for too long.

Gavin, Derbyshire, UK

So - Israel will give up its Holiest Place, get indefensible borders, while Abbas still lives according to PLO Charter - that Israel is part of Palestine. Then Peace will come to the Middle East, and maybe the Saudis will even let their women drive cars?????

Ralph Haglund, Lund, Sweden

There is no chance of any peace agreement in the middle east to succeed unless the criminals of holocaust of Arabs and muslims are brought to justice.

Josh Malik, chicago, USA

Naive!! The Arab world is only interested in destroying Israel and the west. They will issue declarations promising peace in order to push Israel back to the indefensible 1967 borders and then proceed from there. President Obama - don't make the same blunders as the Clintons and Carter!!

John, Seattle,

Those pre-1967 borders worked out really well for Israel didn't they? I mean, they only had to fight a war against Egypt, Syria and Jordan.

And then we have the wonderful example of peaceful co-existence when Israel withdrew from Gaza- and the Palestinians used it as a base to fire rockets.

John McClelland, Ballymena, Northern Ireland

I agree with you knight, but until Israel and Palestine reach a long lasting peace agreement, we are under threat from militants. Here in the US, we are targeted because of our alliance with Israel. Generations in that part of the world have known nothing but war. It is time for the madness to stop!

Howell, Naperville, US

I am as others praying for Israel, praying for the people of the West Bank and Gazza as well as the Arab Nations. There is one who saves for eternity and He is the only One who can bring in a True Everlasting Peace. His name is Jesus Son of the Living God. 1 John 5: 20 - John 8: 32. Turn to Him.

Mr Walmsley, Manchester, England

Nobody has the right to deny the Palestinians their right to return which is enshrined in international law and no Palestinian leader would be stupid enough to allow it.

Giuseppe, Liverpool, England

It took USA over 40 years to realise that Justice and fairness in the world are the way forward and wars and aggression would not work.It is so sad many people died of failed policies. The Arabs and Muslim countries always wanted to live in peace with their neighbours, Obama is abreath of fresh air

A Farhan, Purley, UK

This can be different to what was proposed to the Palestinian Leadership a decade ago only if Israelis give this time real signs of determination to abide by the International Law and withdraw its colonies from the West Bank. If not, there will not be any viability of any Palestinian State there.

Laurent, Oxford, U.K.

peace there is just like an egg...to be broken by a child's fingers.

joe, kuching, malaysia

International politics... the only place where contracts can be valid without Consideration.

Michael, London,

I've read where King Abduallah faulted Israeli acceptance of his plan as being selective , and some Israelis reject it altogether . But it is the best I have heard recently and perhaps it will grow with Obama's efforts . It better .

John Joyce, Southampton, NY, USA

BO must base any peace plan on UN Resolution 242 because Israel's former borders are completely indefensible. The current situation in Gaza and West Bank shows that nothing has changed in 60 years when Yassir Arafat terrorized Israel from Egypt in the late 50's and early 60's.

Jimmy37, Baltimore, Maryland, USA

And will Hamas agree?

leila , manchester, uk

Isn't this the plan that Arafat rejected at Camp David?

Why would anyone believe that the Palestinian Authority would (or even can) accept a solution already rejected by them?

Will Hamas agree? Their Covenant states specifically that "not one centimeter of Palestine is negotiable".

Michael Davison, Ra'anana, Israel

Let's hope that both sides realize the value of compromise and finally we can move to a permanent peace.

Hamad Lone, London, England

This is horrible news for anyone seeking stability in the Middle East. History shows that capitulation only shows weakness - a weakness that will be pounced upon by the terrorists who seek only the complete anihilation of Israel.
One must have their head examined if they think this will be good.

R Johnston, Cypress, USA

it will never work as there are sections of both sides that want the fighting to go on as it gives them power and money

knight, aberdeen, uk