If you already convinced that Israel is working against its best interests, read Nicholas Kristof's Op Ed in the NY Times "Tough Love for Israel," and go no further.
But if you can entertain the possibility that Palestinian terrorism and rejectionism has at least something to do with the lack of peace, take a look at CAMERA's rebuttal to Kristof.
Among the more interesting arguments examined by Kristof and CAMERA has to do with comparisons between the situations in Northern Ireland and the Palestinian/Israeli conflicts:
Kristof: Peace-making invariably involves exasperating and intransigent antagonists and unequal steps, just as it did in the decades in which Britain struggled to end terrorism emanating from Northern Ireland. But London never ordered air strikes on Sinn Fein or walled in Catholic neighborhoods. Over time, Britain's extraordinary restraint slowly changed attitudes so as to make the eventual peace possible.
CAMERA Note: "London never walled in Catholic neighborhoods?" Apparently Kristof's expertise does not extend to Northern Ireland either. There are walls (or so-called "peace lines" ) running throughout Belfast, separating Catholic and Protestant neighborhoods.
Here's one photo of such a wall in west Belfast:
http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/images/photos/belfast/peaceline/peaceline1.htm
In addition, Kristof ignores the fact that the two conflicts are completely different: England wasn't fighting to protect its homeland from utter destruction. Sinn Fein sought to oust the British from Northern Ireland, not from England itself, while the Palestinian extremists seek to annihilate Israel. That is, Kristof has once again created his own reality.
Furthermore, Israel has been extremely restrained in the face of relentless terror attacks. Building a separation barrier has reduced terrorism and therefore (prior to the escalation of rocket attacks against Israel), the need for large-scale counter-attacks.
That notwithstanding, it is highly questionable whether it was British "restraint" that made peace possible. Google that conflict and you'll find many theories.
