Rapprochement with Iran

The sudden warming of relations with Iran is to be welcomed. We must at least listen to what they have to say. We can lose nothing from this. The people of Iran also deserve  better too. They deserve a democratic and secular government that serves their best interests. The people of Iran are probably not interested in acquiring nuclear weapons or sponsoring extreme religious groups intent on attacking Israel.

Israel must listen too they can lose nothing from hearing what Iran has to say. There is no doubt, in my mind, that Iran wants to do a deal. However, I suspect that they will demand a quid pro quo. They will demand that Israel dismantles its nuclear weapons. In which case no deal will be struck. Lets hope this is not the case.

Israel will probably not give up its nuclear arsenal whilst its neighbours seek to destroy its very existence.
The  key to a Middle East settlement lies in the hands of Israel's neighbours; they must stop trying to destroy the state of Israel which is the only homeland where Jews feel safe.

It is obvious from history that Jews must have a homeland where they are free from persecution and where they can defend themselves. They have been let down too many times by European nations which have failed miserably to guarantee their safety.

When the security aims of Israel are guaranteed by rapprochement with its neighbours it will be time for the United Nations to apply the pressure for a military withdrawal from the West Bank. This is the realpolitik situation which must be embraced by Jews, Arabs and Persians alike.  Rapprochement should then lead to the dismantling of nuclear weapons and their removal from the Middle East.

The hatred on both sides must stop. Small steps are being taken with Syria and by Iran but Israel must also show that some small steps can be taken too. Any resolution depends on a quid pro quo.

Peace should be the ultimate objective and there is no reason why a Middle East commonwealth could not be established afterwards. This will allow for the return of Palestinians to their natural homeland and will allow Jews to become legitimate and protected  residents, but not masters, in the West Bank and beyond.

If their is no ambition for the peace and security for all  the people of the Middle East then there is no hope.