John...Very much enjoy your and A.H.'s articles...
My favorite movie in 1962 was David Lean's "Lawrence of Arabia".
The spectacle, the passion, the sweeping cinematography and the story were mesmerizing. So, I wondered if you thought T.E. Lawrence might still consider, as a path forward, a Two State compromise, were he alive today? What other alternatives could he consider, if there are any, to the conflict in Gaza? Palestinian exhaustion seems a bit unlikely. Pious entitlement often doesn't leave much room for compromise. Having litigated some extraordinarily complex issues yourself, could you anticipate any meaningful or long lasting resolution to this long lasting conflict?
Thank you so much for the compliment. I too love the movie, Lawrence of Arabia. My understanding is that Lawrence, although a noted Arabist, had a friendly attitude toward the Zionists. Most famously, he brokered a meeting in 1918 between Chaim Weizmann and Emir Faisal. Although conflicted about the Balfour Declaration (among other things), he felt that the Zionists and the Arabs were natural allies, and that Jewish settlers would provide capital and expertise to the nascent Arab nation. Also, they would provide a counterweight to the French. I certainly have insufficient expertise to even hazard a prediction as to how current events will shake out except to note that repeating what has been done for the past century has no prospect of resolving the conflict.
Excellent summary of the situation which, sadly, applies to the current scene. Benny Morris is right: Peace can come not by the imposition of a peace by the West on unwilling, intransigent Palestinians .
It will come from exhaustion from the bloody consequences of rejectionism.
John...Very much enjoy your and A.H.'s articles...
My favorite movie in 1962 was David Lean's "Lawrence of Arabia".
The spectacle, the passion, the sweeping cinematography and the story were mesmerizing. So, I wondered if you thought T.E. Lawrence might still consider, as a path forward, a Two State compromise, were he alive today? What other alternatives could he consider, if there are any, to the conflict in Gaza? Palestinian exhaustion seems a bit unlikely. Pious entitlement often doesn't leave much room for compromise. Having litigated some extraordinarily complex issues yourself, could you anticipate any meaningful or long lasting resolution to this long lasting conflict?
EO,
Thank you so much for the compliment. I too love the movie, Lawrence of Arabia. My understanding is that Lawrence, although a noted Arabist, had a friendly attitude toward the Zionists. Most famously, he brokered a meeting in 1918 between Chaim Weizmann and Emir Faisal. Although conflicted about the Balfour Declaration (among other things), he felt that the Zionists and the Arabs were natural allies, and that Jewish settlers would provide capital and expertise to the nascent Arab nation. Also, they would provide a counterweight to the French. I certainly have insufficient expertise to even hazard a prediction as to how current events will shake out except to note that repeating what has been done for the past century has no prospect of resolving the conflict.
Excellent summary of the situation which, sadly, applies to the current scene. Benny Morris is right: Peace can come not by the imposition of a peace by the West on unwilling, intransigent Palestinians .
It will come from exhaustion from the bloody consequences of rejectionism.
thx. balfor declaration got a lotta 'splaining to do.