Are we witnessing the 'new normal' for the Middle East? | The Bottom Line

By expanding illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank and refusing to consider Palestinian self-determination, “we’re watching a situation that will recur” in the Middle East, argues former US ambassador to Israel, Daniel Kurtzer.

Kurtzer tells host Steve Clemons that the war in Gaza “uncovered a weakness on the part of the United States in dealing with an extreme government in Israel”. The result is that US diplomacy has neither been able to end Israel’s carnage in Gaza, nor deal with the underlying problems between Palestine and Israel. So the conflict continues to escalate in the region, with no end in sight.

#gaza #palestine #israel #unitedstates #ceasefire #genocide #middleeast #hamas #aljazeeraenglish

[alieujallow]

This is the silliest interview on Aljazeera. I didn't think i would say this in the context of this genocide; shame on Aljazeera for this interview. No push backs from the journalist on this american criminal apologist lies! And asking questions like a diplomat.

[petergiaschi]

I disagree with many, many things this professor just laid out. Most egregiously, he disparaged the students protesting as "Ignorant" when in fact they are well-informed and have correctly identified the issues as stemming from 1948. The Zionist project was always a violent, apartheid movement. 1967 solved nothing, and the Palestinians have actually accepted ceasefire terms which gave them only 20% of their original territory. It is the Israelis who have refused to come to terms. And he conveniently omits the fact that 80% of the Israeli public is happy with their government's actions, and the rest would like to go even further. They do not see Palestinians as human, and neither does the Biden/Harris team. Most maddeningly, he does not acknowledge the fact that the PA is bought and sold with American/Israeli money and is entirely corrupt.

[Tejaye]

Daniel Kurtzer seems to be fairly honest for a US official. However he's fairly honest for a US official but still comes way short of being fair. Even Israeli officials admit that they were offering the Palestinians "less than a state". Meaning that Israel wanted a Palestine that didn't have an army or defense capabilities to protect themselves and also wanted to be able to go in and violate the territorial integrity Palestinie for "security" reasons. Remember the US (which is basically Israel's advisor) was negotiating this with Israel. The Palestinians were always going to be strong armed into accepting less than they would get for letting the courts decide this situation. That's why the US always wants the situation solved by "negotiation" because they can bully the Palestinians into accepting a situation where Israel wins 95% of they want and the Palestinians only get 5% and the Palestinians would have to be content with it.

[ishubaba]

What about the idea of Palestinians having the right to defend themselves ?

[Lynn-iw]

Courageous Portland, Maine has just voted to divest from Israel. Groups have been protesting Israel’s abuse on Palestinians for decades. ♥Portland.

[alieujallow]

This is the most pathetic interview i have heard on Aljazeera. This man who is an apologist for american criminal policies just implied that palestinians are the reason for their continued oppression for not accepting unreasonable settlement for a state.

[kristenwilson]

Oh dear defending America. We are all doomed

[Haveatit]

I'm sorry but this man was a complete waste of time.

[sunnyrainyday]

This old man is stuck in the past, in his thinking and his perspective. True his view might be enlightening when you compare the impotent U.S. officials we have today but he’s just got the same incorrect view as the U.S. officials from the 2000s that led to this situation

[nessunodorme]

Please, no more of this "both sides" claptrap!

[tonyrutland]

Your Guest should live in Gaza for 75 years

[mc-lbdk]

does this man ignore the nakba? a scholar??? come on!! 1948 was the main motor for this genocide since it started then. NOT in 1967

[garrendavis]

Brother wtf?? How do you see a problem with Israel forcibly taking land in 1967 but see nothing wrong with Israel forcibly taking land in 1948.

[gevaeilan]

Losing a war that you started is not a genocide

[dotagedrain]

This interview is biased.. these Jews need to get out.. it's simple...