Negotiations are a give and take

Earle Malkin, Las Vegas

Sunday, July 28, 2013 | 2 a.m.

It is reported that Secretary of State John Kerry has been informed by the Palestinian Liberation negotiating team that Israel must specify its border to be established between the two entities.

I thought the idea of meetings would be without preconditions, for one major reason.

Negotiations involve give-and-take to arrive at a mutually unsatisfactory solution to a problem. Therefore, taking a definite stance on any issue would be counterproductive, as the other side would certainly seek to change that stance.

Israel was founded with certain borders under the UN resolution, which were immediately breached by armed conflict.

Israel should propose borders that give a greater area than it really desires. Then, when all the fencing and foolishness is over, the parties can concentrate on the important and realistic situation.