The Obama administration, following Netanyahu's unilateral announcement of a temporary settlement freeze, has agreed on a quid-pro-quo that builds on a similar precedent set by Ariel Sharon and George W. Bush in 2004.  In exchange for Bibi's unprecedented move, the administration for the first time acknowledged specifically that Israel will be entitled to retain lands captured in 1967 as part of any final peace agreement.Five years ago, Israel's decision to unilaterally withdraw from Gaza in hopes of advancing the peace process was rewarded by a reciprocal Bush assurance to Sharon that the U.S. would, as part of any final peace deal, support "secure and recognized" borders for Israel and, that "in light of new realities on the ground, including existing major population centers, it is unrealistic to expect a full and complete return to the 1949 armistice line."  Bush's letter also noted that "all previous efforts toward a two-state solution...(Read Full Post)