> But none of them are routinely described as "pragmatists": Israeli
> "pragmatists" don't talk about how their long run goal is to expel
> all non-Jews from the area between the Nile and the Euphrates...
.
Let's suppose a Palestinian cabinet minister wanted to take a position on
the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that precisely mirrors the "pragmatist"
position of Ehud "half-a-loaf" Barak circa Camp David II. What would this
position be?
You'd start with an unlimited Palestinian right of return to (most of) both sides of the Green Line (This = Israeli law of return). This would create an Arab Palestinian majority state.
But you'd carve out 12 - 15 non-contiguous territorial enclaves in which Jews would live and have autonomy. They could collect their own garbage, and so on. They'd even get their own limited police force. These enclaves would of course be encircled by Palestinian military roads, army bases and territory.
And then you'd let the Jews call this little collection of municipalities a "state." The "state" of Israel-- with its own flag and postage stamps. Also, you'd insist that you believe in the highest ideals of compromise and co-existence. Also, the New York Times would praise you for your commitment to peace.
Now, think of how extremist it would sound if Al-Husseini came right out and advocated this.
Now think of how "pragmatic" it sounds (to you) when Barak says the same thing.
Seth