I don't think anyone can rely on Mr Trump to take a firm and final position on anything?

How can anyone hope to know the mind of Mr Trump, when it remains a complete mystery to the aforementioned, or so it would seem?
Alan B.

The French Initiative is bound to fail because no matter what is decided there, Israel has no ability, no strength, to stop the settlements. By now, the settlers have taken deep roots and are just too strong, stronger than Israel itself which gave them birth. The French might as well decide to paint Venus, the yellow planet, green - but nobody can go there with a paintbrush.

What Israel could do if it wanted, is to take its soldiers out of the settlements, withdraw to its pre-1967 borders and tell the settlers: "you are on your own".

Israel would only take such a step once it understands that it's not about peace-with-the-Palestinians (something almost as impossible as painting Venus green), but about restoring its own character and integrity for the good of its own people. Conferences which present the issue as anything do with Palestinians would therefore only worsen the situation.

Rare wisdom indeed Yuyustu, illegal settlements on ostensibly, Palestinian land, has absolutely nothing to do with the Palestinians!

And I commend your idea of withdrawing Israeli soldiers from the settlements and retreating behind 1967 lines?

If that then results in a blood bath in those settlements? That's hardly Israel's problem? And perhaps the only way left to empty them out?
Alan B.

Dear Alan,

Sorry about my poor grammar - indeed sentences that contain more than one 'it' can be difficult to understand.

In my sentence: "Israel would only take such a step once it understands that it's not about peace-with-the-Palestinians", the first 'it' refers to Israel and the second 'it' refers to "such a step", that is to Israel's withdrawal, rather than to any settlements.

Israel's withdrawal should not be linked to having or not-having peace with the Palestinians, but rather should be carried out as an internal Israeli measure for restoring its character and integrity. While I expect the war with the so-called "Palestinians" to continue indefinitely, Israel should still do what it needs to do for its own good.

I really can't tell what would result in those settlements as those two violent tribes fight each other. All I know is that Israel should be out of it.

Make the settlements a part of Palestinian West Bank, let the settlers have dual nationality, and pay taxes and rates to Palestine.

Dear Billy,

Are you trying to subdue the settlers?

Why not practice first by catching an elephant, it's easy - all you need is a matchbox and binoculars: turn the binoculars around so the elephant becomes very small, then you can trap him in the matchbox!