Israel is Given A Fair Shake in Bronner Piece

"Israel Faces Difficult Task in Shifting Policy Away From Palestinians and Toward Iran"; By Ethan Bronner; A4

The problem with this article has less to do with Ethan Bronner’s reporting than with the American administration's evolving position toward the Middle East. In fact, Bronner allows for ample rebuttal of the American posture from the the Israeli administration. 

The apparent Euro-American-Arab consensus is that Israeli withdrawal from Judea and Samaria should precede confronting Iran. In contrast, Israel believes “there will be much less risk of Iranian weapons being used against Israel from neighboring territory” if - first and foremost - Iran is kept from building a nuclear weapon.

Bronner prints a much needed clarification from an anonymous senior Israeli official regarding Prime Minister Netanyahu's view on the formation of a Palestinian state. In principle, he does not reject a Palestinian state, but he believes it should be created after a halt to Palestinian hate education, the establishment of free institutions, and economic development. 

Furthermore, to his credit, Bronner quotes Avigdor Lieberman from a Jerusalem Post interview in which he highlights the destructive role of Iran in the region. 

One flaw in Bronner's reporting, however, stands out. In discussing the Arab League peace plan, which calls for “a right of return for Palestinian refugees to Israel,” he fails to mention that such an action will destroy Israel as a Jewish state.