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FNC contributor Karl Rove on the uncertain future for negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, and the U.S.’s role in the negotiations.
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Realistic joining us now from Austin, Texas Karl Rove former deputy chief of staff to President Bush the author of courage and consequence my life as a conservative.
In the fight.
Pleasure being -- Karl.
And let me turned this the first issue that was quite a spectacle that we witness just there.
Did did -- -- home and that Yahoo! go somewhat too far.
-- lecturing a president of United States in the White House.
And know first well I don't think it was a lecturing tone I thought he had a very civil tone but it was a very serious review to the president's speech yesterday.
And I thought it was -- delivered in an appropriate way.
The president had this -- news -- -- in the Oval Office and Netanyahu made clear the position Israeli government and and look that the 67 borders.
This is -- -- these are indefensible.
And it would also got me was this is the number one demand.
Of the Palestinian Authority return to 67 borders how what kind of a negotiation could you have.
If the United States comes in and tells its ally you have to give on the number one thing.
That that the Palestinians want to -- it makes us look like we're acting tougher on our friends that we are.
On people who frankly have have yet to prove that -- worthy of our friendship and trust and and complete friendship and trust namely the Palestinians.
Well and in that instance than you think that's appropriate that the that -- -- response was entirely appropriate.
And that you saw no.
If you will while lack of respect from his part -- ago not let -- put put.
Well put it into context and did that the president invited him to come today and then yesterday went -- and gave a speech in which he put the Israeli prime minister.
In a difficult position this is one of the big problems with United States.
Imposing an American timetable.
On the mideast peace process that is to say it puts us in a place where we are putting the pressure.
And causing stresses and strains inside both the Palestinian Authority in the Israeli political system.
That and that actually work against peace if you wanna do this don't do -- -- don't give the speech he gave yesterday.
The day before you're inviting me that the prime minister of Israel here particularly if you're gonna make a speech.
There is gonna work against the interest of Israel and put him in a difficult political place that don't wearing -- to the United States today after.
If you know that's what's gonna happen and clearly they had no that was that was gonna or we go from here -- when your judgment.
Well this is a problem we we we have to constantly be saying there needs to be a two state solution that is to say Israel and a Palestinian state.
Living in peace and security with each other which requires the the Israelis to think about what kind of land they're willing to give up to create the Palestinian state.
And it requires the Palestinians to make a commitment to acknowledge the right of Israel do exist and to forswear terrorism without those two things you cannot have a negotiation.
And the negotiation -- between these two partners with United States is facilitator not somebody who's pushing one side or the other.
I frankly I know no one who supports the pre 67 border.
Responses a -- condition -- -- -- negotiations.
-- yet it is often talked about even in the leadership of the Israeli government as a result.
Depending on.
And as a result to negotiations on -- and the lasting peace.
The -- but the issue here is the number of fictions that are built around.
The Israeli Palestinian conflict first of all Israel can exist without the support assistance and the active interest of the United States.
Is the second what we have to have a solution.
Is has become the sort of the in the context of the of them you know the battle cry.
Of our our diplomats -- administration after administration.
We are 63 years later everyone seems to be an expert on the Middle East and no one has managed to resolve that conflict.
At what point do we say it's time to look with real politic.
At the situation and come up with a solution or understand that the parties will have to reach -- solution.
-- the United States.
Well look those parties will have to reach a solution the United States -- important role -- that.
But only to the degree that both can both entities is the State of Israel.
And the Palestinian Authority want us to or need -- to turn as a facilitators or guarantees of what they agree to.
For United States to do what -- -- trying to do now is it's doomed -- added to failure as it -- happen every single time when the United States has stepped in and said.
We want to impose a solution on our timetable here the framework you guys go agree on the -- it -- it doesn't happen that way.
The politics of the map.
What is the president's what is the result for the president at least as far as you can see it.
His numbers have stated right at 50% and approval rating after the killing of of -- laden.
What will be the effect of this row with with the Government of Israel.
Well look it's not gonna help it didn't help them last September when he tried to pull this off previously by saying I wanna bring everybody to war -- wanna take you to go get an agreement.
I want it within a year but actually they were trying to get it done before the November election.
This this cannot happen in a political framework and cannot look like it has to happen.
For the interest of an American president so -- you know the president needs to look strong and not getting things done.
Does not help him look strong and the president does not gonna get in my opinion get this thing done because he is demanding of the Israeli -- cannot do.
And by doing so.
Paradoxically making the Palestinians less likely to negotiate if you're in the Palestinian Authority.
Why are you more concerned about negotiating with the united states -- with Israel if the United States is already stepped in and made it clear that.
It wants you to have its number one thing which is.
67 borders so yeah any of this is not gonna have a good -- for the president and I don't think it will enhance his view as a strong leader unlike other Whalen of Osama bin Laden which did.
And and I think -- it's also refer to point out that the previous president and his father.
Both suffered mightily politically as a result of the criticism.
On their handling of of the Israeli relationship.
This president what -- do worse or about the -- Well I'm nuts are not necessarily agree that a president bush George W.
Bush for example had the -- attitude of a two state solution but that the United States could be a facilitator.
Not somebody who imposes and politically you know he got the highest percentage of the Jewish vote in 2004.
Since Ronald Reagan for Republican candidate for president -- but but look.
Put the politics aside that that's what you should not be concerned with if your president the problem is I think this president is overly concerned with politics and he wants a big win.
Been a guy who solves the mideast problem once and for all.
In order to get himself reelected and that's that's the wrong motivation to have in a -- in a place where you do the kind of things he did yesterday.
There are good things in the speech don't get me wrong is it.
His endorsement of the democracy agenda which you -- you know -- as a candidate in ignored as president no none intent.
Was a was a helpful turn I think he was he was right to do it and he said.
And he talked about and in terms that were there were very powerful and very inspiring.
But does the -- to core of this Margaret Warner and chosen in the Middle East -- is echoing the Bush Administration or question.
-- out at a time I appreciate your being here work for department is.
