Obama’s opportunity in the Middle East

US President-elect Barack Obama can, in the role of a centrist and as a friend and ally, appeal to those realists in Israel to return Israel to pre-1967 borders and reaccommodate the settlers there.

The infrastructure left by illegal settlers could then become available to many of the descendents of those who fled from Palestine in 1948 — the illegal settlements built around the east of Jerusalem/Al Quds should be included.

Millions have died directly and indirectly as a result of this conflict. All people in the Middle East, and the rest of us, deserve peace and a respite from the consequences to date of this geopolitical fault-line.