Area C, which has a land area of around 3,300-3,500 square kilometers, makes up 60% of the West Bank. Asked why the West is focused on a conflict involving the small strip, Lippman claimed it was because it was yet another disagreement involving Jews.

…

“It hands a victory to Israel’s enemies and makes the Gulf nations less interested to work with Israel. So there are those people who argue that this is not in Israel’s best interest, that Israel is only digging itself in a deeper hole and is once again acting in a way that is self-destructive to Israel.”

However, Lippman acknowledged that on the flip side, many would happily accept “diplomatic isolation” in exchange for physical safety, returning to his earlier point that there is a feeling that Jerusalem will be criticized and marginalized regardless.

“I think Bibi (Netanyahu) would have been much better served if he spoke about compassion for the Palestinians. So getting up there with the Israeli flags on either side and looking militaristic, that speaks to the insecurity of Israel, the Jewish people who want to be tough. And there’s value in that,” he analyzed, adding that while strength was something respected in the region, compassion and vulnerability were read better by the West.

I am pretty sure any Rabbi worth their salt would tell you compassion and vulnerability are what we do to save our own souls, not win diplomatic favor…