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PARTISAN REVIEW
We can only hope that self-interest, i(not reason, will prevail
on both sides. But given the complexity of the situation, and the
various and conflicting motives of the different Arab groups, a solu–
tion that probably will involve an exchange of territory by the
Israelis for some guarantee of peace by the Palestinians and the
neigQ.boring Arab countries might require a cooling-off period and
long negotiations . And the clamor for a quick solution
~nd
for im–
mediate and one-sided concessions by Israel prior to negotiations is
not only utopian but can only stiffen the resistance of the Palestin–
ians to substitute negotiations for v'i0lence and to accept a territorial
or some other form of compromise.
"
WOP.
P.S. On March 16th, an ad appeared in
The New York Times
with a
number of signatures calling for an end to the occupation but with
assurances of security for Israel. Some of the signers had never ex–
pressed any interest in Israel before . And I was sorry to see that
some people who are concerned about the fate ofIsrael had,signed a
statement that can have little bearing on the situation. For it simply
asserted what everyone accepts : that peaceful negotiations should
take place, with each side recognizing the needs of the other side,
though the burden of negotiation is placed on Israel and not on the
Palestinians.
