U.S. President Barack Obama’s new proposal to establish a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders sparked many debates in various political circles.

There were several factors behind the decision to adopt the new stance.
What matters first and foremost is the increasing wave of diplomatic recognition of the new Palestinian state, which is an issue that is going to be discussed next September during the United Nations General Assembly. So far, 134 countries have recognized the Palestinian state located in territories inside the 1967 borders. This means that more than two thirds of the members of the UN General Assembly have recognized the fundamental right of the Palestinians to enjoy full membership in the UN. In the event that Palestine’s accession to the UN is ratified, the United States and Israel would be obliged to respect the vote of the international community, but Israel does not recognize the 1967 borders and it is continuing to build settlements in the West Bank.
Recent regional developments have created a new atmosphere for dealing with the issue of Palestine. Last week was the 63nd anniversary of Nakba Day (Catastrophe Day), in which Israel celebrated its ill-fated creation and Arabs grieved over their loss. But this year’s Nakba Day was totally different. Hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians marched toward Israel’s borders with Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip. This represents an awakening in the Palestinian community. The third generation of Palestinian refugees, whose forefathers were silent for 63 years, has come to the border, demanding the right to return to their homeland. This is undoubtedly the direct result of the Islamic awakening in the region, which is threatening Israel more than ever.
The U.S. is also confronted with new challenges resulting from the Islamic awakening. So many years of support for Israel have not only put U.S. national interests in danger but have also cost Washington dearly in other ways. Therefore, the U.S. is attempting to come to terms with some new realities.
Modern Palestinian society is completely different than what it was in the past. It is greatly influenced by the current wave of awakening. There are many groupings on social networking websites calling for a rebellion against Acting Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. This shows that the man who honored the Oslo Accords and regards himself as an ally of Israel and the West will face huge protests by the Palestinian people. Therefore, the signing of a peace agreement could help the U.S. and Israel maintain their ally in power in the region.
Despite all this, Israel is still insisting on its previous rhetoric. The current Israeli administration is under intense internal political pressure. The latest meeting between Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was a clear sign of such a misunderstanding. Obama asked the Israelis to return to the 1967 borders, but Netanyahu rejected the proposal out of hand.
According to reports by Israeli news agencies, there have been more than 30 meetings and conferences in Israel about the new developments in the region. The participants reached the conclusion that Israel must swiftly change its stance toward the Palestinians and the Arabs if it wants to avoid serious challenges to its security.
It is an undeniable fact that the new Middle East is very different. The wave of popular uprisings is not just a series of small protests that can be dealt with through crackdowns and bombardments. It is a devastating tsunami that is going to sweep Israel away.