Prof Kobi Michael of INSS responds to Palestinian Sovereignty Dilemma

Prof Kobi Michael of INSS responds to Palestinian Sovereignty Dilemma =
Question

Sent: Monday, July 6, 2026
From: Dr. Aaron Lerner
To: Prof Kobi Michael=20
RE: Question relating to “Time to Break the Strategic Limbo: Israel’s =
Core Challenge”

Dear Prof. Kobi Michael,
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I read “Time to Break the Strategic Limbo: Israel=E2=80=99s Core =
Challenge” (INSS Insight No. 2163, July 5, 2026) with great interest.
http://www.inss.org.il/publication/strategic-limbo/
=20
How do you see addressing the challenge that the moment that a sovereign =
Palestinian state with delineated borders truly gains international =
status as a sovereign state that it retains that status even if it =
openly reneges on the commitments and arrangements which lead to it =
receiving this status.
=20
This challenge may not trouble Israeli =E2=80=9Cchecker players=E2=80=9D =
pleased with the excellent security arrangements in place as the Prime =
Minister of Israel and the head of Palestine sign an agreement for =
mutual recognition of the two sovereign states on the White House lawn.
=20
But the Palestinian =E2=80=9Cchess players=E2=80=9D would patiently pick =
away at these arrangements and prepare, with their allies, for the day =
that Palestinian sovereignty is ultimately exploited to bring about the =
destruction of Israel.
=20
Best regards,
Dr. Aaron Lerner =E2=80=93 IMRA
PS: I would like to share your reply on IMRA =E2=80=93 you can reply in =
Hebrew if you prefer and I will translate it.
=20
Sent: Monday, July 6, 2026
From: Kobi Michael=20
To: Dr. Aaron Lerner=20
Subject: Re: Question relating to “Time to Break the Strategic Limbo: =
Israel’s Core Challenge”

Dear Dr. Lerner,

There is a very long way until reaching an independent Palestinian state =
if at all. I reject the Palestinian demands and definitions regarding =
their statehood and independence and I believe there is no need and =
ripeness to deal with that at this stage. I was talking about initiating =
moves that will improve the current situation that will be a sort of =
strategic compass and will enable the Saudis to return to the =
normalization process as part of a broad regional vision where the =
Palestinian issue will make the Arab states responsible to it and it =
will not be left only as an Israeli concern. They created the problem so =
they have the responsibility to be part of the solution, the burden =
should not remain on the ISRAELI SHOULDERS ONLY.
Kobi

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IMRA – Independent Media Review and Analysis

Since 1992 providing news and analysis on the Middle East with a focus =
on Arab-Israeli relations

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