What we're talking about," he said, "is a three state solution with Hamasistan. The broad concern in Israel is that anything else they agree to will wind up like Gaza." Israelis would like there to be peace, but we cannot make the other side want peace. We can hope," he said.
"The extent that we have the hubris to dictate to Israel, most American Jews think is illegitimate."
It was then Mr. Masters turn: "Can we sustain a state in Israel? Militant settlers are a threat although most settlers are decent people. The Arab peace initiative has been sitting on the table for years. There is a broad consensus that exists in Israel."
Then he asked Mr. Tobin about East Jerusalem and mentioned a full page advertisement recently placed in the New York Times by the Council of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations quoting Yitzhak Rabin, ("My Jerusalem"), and stating his unadulterated approval for an undivided Jerusalem. He said that was not the opinion of Rabin at the end of his life.
Jonathan Tobin was happy to respond to this question: "I interviewed him at the Waldorf Astoria two weeks before he died on his last trip to America and he told me"; "There will be no division of Jerusalem."
Before anyone knew it, it was time for questions starting with the moderator: "Why is the tone of the debate, (in the American Jewish community), so ugly?"
Mr. Tobin answered first: "American Jews have always disagreed on Israel. The J Street position; pressure Israel, would have made more sense before Oslo"."
Then Mr. Masters responded: "A difficult time. People care a lot! It's hard to hear someone who you think doesn't get it. It makes people uncomfortable." He went on to say that Prime Minister Netanyahu is involved in the Proximity Talks: "We have to support Israel when it takes risks for peace."
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