The President, in his address to AIPAC, argued that "the march to isolate Israel internationally — and the impulse of the Palestinians to abandon negotiations" has gained "momentum in the absence of a credible peace process". Heading this off demanded he state explicitly the "1967 border" formula. In truth, the current absence of negotiations is largely due to an administration policy which, of all the complex and difficult issues, decided to focus on kitchen renovations in Efrat, strengthening the Palestinian "impulse" to abandon negotiations. More to the point, there are fundamental issues raised if the "march to isolate Israel internationally" is strengthened, not weakened, by Palestinians abandoning negotiations, and hard to see how the presidents policy speaks to those issues.
He then clarified that "'1967 lines with mutually agreed swaps' means... a border that is different than the one that existed on June 4, 1967." He implied that those who criticized him where of bad faith, or limited English comprehension. In this he misses (willfully?), the point. There is a clear difference -- in framing negotiations -- between stating that the final borders will look something like the 1967 borders adjusted for demographic realities and security needs -- what "everyone knows" and he clarified himself as having meant -- and that the 1967 borders represent the basis for negotiation -- what it easily sounded like he said.
More to the point, this maneuvering is taking place under the shadow of the Palestinian determination to seek statehood at the UN in September. A determination which, itself, the President inspired. It would certainly further "the march to isolate Israel internationally" should it entail recognition of the 1967 borders without reference to demographics or security. Supporters of Israel are right to fear that the President's speech will be easily, predictably, used to further that cause.
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