Regarding Israel and the PLO, Israel’s demand to be recognized as a Jewish state is not ultimately what sank these talks; it is the fact that the two sides are on different planets as to what a peace treaty should look like. The Palestinians see it as a matter of international law and justice and are not going to make many concessions. To Israel, the Arabs attacked and lost, and therefore they get to keep some of the land they captured, especially parts that have special significance in Jewish history; they want peace, but they expect the Palestinians to compromise much more. Finally both sides believe that their view will prevail over time.
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