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PARTISAN REVIEW
accepts 242; and
that
implies recogmtlOn of Israel-until not only
Terzi, the PLO delegate to the U.N., but the boss's spokesman him–
self both denied that any recognition of Israel was intended. In fact,
only the General Assembly Resolutions on the Palestinians, all hos–
tile to Israel, were endorsed; the Security Council Resolutions,
including 242 and 338, were ignored. To which McCloskey replied:
Well, I guess the new position reflects Arafat's fear that he will get
assassinated by more radical elements. In other words, he really did
say it, but later he realized that Habash and Hawatma might object,
and object violently. What nonsense for grown men and women
to
engage tn.
Israeli moderates need a clear statement recognizing Israel 's
right to exist and calling for Palestinian self-determination alongside
of, and in peace with, Israel. Apologists will argue that this is the
PLO's " last card" and that it cannot be lightly played . But one sus-
pects, after all these years, that it may not even be in the deck, that
I'
Amos Oz is right: PLO recogniton of Israel is a nonexistent joker in
the ongoing poker game in which we're all losing our shirts.
It is precisely this perception that hardens attitudes in Israel
toward the idea of West Bank flexibility. The Israeli response to
Sadat's initiative proves that , underneath it all, most Israelis are not
Greater Israel-minded idealogues . But they are concerned with
security; they are war weary and would prefer a real peace to an
indefinite perpetuation of the conflict. What is needed is a clear
statement of Palestinian moderation . This has not been forth–
comtng.
Whom Do You Have to Sleep With to
Get Out Of This Picture?
I write without being able to foresee the final acts in the drama
in Beirut. Perhaps an interim agreement of sorts will be accepted,
whereby the PLO leave Beirut for Tripoli or for the Be'eka, as Rabin
has suggested. Today, Philip Habib, another one of the Bechtel
Boys, it transpires, indicated that Jordan and Syria were willing to
accept most of the PLO fighters. Still, the American congressmen
and senators who met wit! Begin left "disturbed" and "worried,"
pessimistic about a peaceful resolution .
But the basic questions of the West Bank and of Mideast peace-
