I was a freelance journalist based in Tel Aviv from 2009-2011. Even back then, the West Bank was swiss cheese, the holes being expanding - and illegal - Israeli settlements. Yes - because I know some will raise it - Arafat missed a chance during the Clinton administration. And yes, violence on either side doesn't help. And yes, I know the history on both sides. But the Biden administration needs what the article points out: "Mr. Biden has not formally canceled a Trump administration decision to legitimize Israeli settlements in the West Bank, which most of the world considers illegal. Following Israeli pressure, he has not reopened the U.S. consulate to the Palestinians in Jerusalem and the Palestinian mission in Washington, both of which were closed under Mr. Trump."Too often, we are still operating out of fear of political consequences at home. I've been to the West Bank. I've spoken with Bedouins who have lost their homes and seen their olive trees cut down by Israeli settlers. The daily constraints on life there are a grave injustice.

I was a freelance journalist based in Tel Aviv from 2009-2011. Even back then, the West Bank was swiss cheese, the holes being expanding - and illegal - Israeli settlements. Yes - because I know some will raise it - Arafat missed a chance during the Clinton administration. And yes, violence on either side doesn't help. And yes, I know the history on both sides. But the Biden administration needs what the article points out: "Mr. Biden has not formally canceled a Trump administration decision to legitimize Israeli settlements in the West Bank, which most of the world considers illegal. Following Israeli pressure, he has not reopened the U.S. consulate to the Palestinians in Jerusalem and the Palestinian mission in Washington, both of which were closed under Mr. Trump."Too often, we are still operating out of fear of political consequences at home. I've been to the West Bank. I've spoken with Bedouins who have lost their homes and seen their olive trees cut down by Israeli settlers. The daily constraints on life there are a grave injustice.

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