Richard Holbrooke on Resolution 242
Richard Holbrooke, the well-respected U.S. diplomat whose untimely death is being mourned today, served as ambassador to the U.N. and to Germany, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific, for European and Canadian affairs, and special envoy, among other positions.
In 2007, Holbrooke delivered a talk about the principles of peacemaking and UN Resolution 242 at a Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs Conference on “Israel’s Right to Secure Boundaries.” His knowledgeable assessment of Resolution 242 bears repeating:
… an analysis of the original meaning of
the resolution, as opposed to its inadvertent or intentional misconstructions by
certain people, is essential. This is especially necessary in light of the fact that
numerous publications and media outlets have reiterated the misconception
that the resolution calls for full withdrawal from all territories.
Perhaps most importantly, Hobrooke noted Resolution 242 calls for “a negotiated solution which includes mutual
recognition between the parties.” This bears remembering in light of media pundits who continue to blame Israel for scuttling peace prospects, even while Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh’s declares that “Hamas will never recognize Israel” while Fatah rejects any acceptance of “the so-called Jewish state.”
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