Palestine Israel - Some Real Progress At Last?

mike65

Over the last few weeks since the elections in the West Bank/Gaza there seems to have been a geniune change in the mood music. Ms Rice has been making positive noises and the State Dept is funding the new Palestinian Authority with 350 million dollars, the IDF looks like making an announcment that it will end offensive actions. 900 Palestinian prisioners are too be released and other actions to smooth the patgh of peace are in the offing.

A conference in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheik will see Egypt and Jordan deepen relations with Isreal (fears this wil be targeted by terrorists).

So after 4 years of stasis are we witnessing a real shift forward which can be developed into a full blown deal..?

I actually think "yes".

Mike.

Sand

Im not that optimistic. The Palestinians do seem to be genuinely war weary and despite 4 years of terrorism theyre no closer to their goals than they were 4 years ago. Hence the willingness to give negotiation a chance. But the situation is ready to flare up at any time and I dont think the ceasefires will hold up to serious provocation from either side.

The settlers wont vacate the gaza strip without a fight, let alone the west bank - Sharon may or may not be the man to remove them though; He's seen as being very pro - settlements in general, but as a military officer he was in charge of previous operations to pretty much kidnap settlers and level their homes afair, so if he's somehow brought on side he's ruthless enough to do it.

And theres still serious issues over the status of Jeruselam, the right of return, Israels need for security as opposed to Palestinian sovereignty, and so on that are still as difficult to resolve as ever. Israelis will find compromise on Jeruselem - historical and spiritual home of their people - very unpopular, compromises on security very unnerving and the Palestinians wont feel much more easy-going about not being able to exercise their right to return.

So, Im not that optimistic. Its better theyre talking than not talking but it wont last.

Moriarty

There's more hope now (not much) than there was a year ago (none). Long may it last.

Sand

Well that didnt last long. Apparently Hamas were back at it today according to the radio.

sovtek

As long as the Israelis continue with checkpoints, the wall, almost daily attacks on militants/civilians/kids, expanding settlements...etc etc Abu Mazen isn't going to be able to do a damn thing about suicide bombers and he's only going to get it from both sides if he does.
Israels actions are at the root of the problem and I don't see this getting towards peace until that side of the fence pulls back...which isn't going to happen under Sharon who is a fanatical zionist/militant/fundamentalist himself.
All my HO of course.

Hobbes

Both Hamas and the other group (name escapes me) have both said they will not honour anything.

Israel has effectively land grabbed with the illegal border they have created.

So peoples defination of progress seems to be based on very limited history.

daveirl

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Moriarty

Haven't you heard? Israel is to blame for everything. Including the asian tsunami. Dastardly bunch, those Israelis.

daveirl

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