Respect the sovereignty of democratic allies. When free people in a democracy express their preferences, the United States should respect their opinions. The current administration should not try to impose ideas on allies like Israel.

The administration would also do well to take heed of the Palestinian Authorityâ€s continued refusal to recognize Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people. This is not a trivial matter. A long-term settlement can only be forged on the basis of mutual recognition and respect. To deny the essence of the Zionist project—to rebuild the Jewish peopleâ€s ancient homeland—is to call into question the seriousness of oneâ€s commitment to peace.

It is a sad statement of the Palestinians†approach to peace-making that denial of the Jewish homeland is not simply contained in the openly anti-Semitic leadership of Hamas. It is a widespread belief across the spectrum of Palestinian opinion. This reality must be confronted.

Todayâ€s leadership must never forget that the core historic reason for the conflict is the Arab worldâ€s longstanding rejection of Israelâ€s existence. The two-state solution was accepted by Israelâ€s pre-state leadership led by David Ben-Gurion in 1947 when it agreed to the partition plan contained in United Nationâ€s General Assembly Resolution 181. The Arabs flatly rejected it. As Secretary of State Hillary Clinton knows all too well, President Bill Clintonâ€s peace plans in 2000 foundered due to Palestinian rejection of the Jewish state, even as Israel, once again, accepted their right to statehood.

Jennifer Rubin reports that members of Congress are circulating a letter disapproving of the President’s choice of Mary Robinson to receive the Medal of Freedom.

Similarly, David Hazony notes that 71 Senators have sent the President a letter asking his to press the Arabs to take steps to normalize relations with Israel.

It would appear that members of both Houses get something that the President doesn’t.

Crossposted on Soccer Dad.