| Amos Oz although well meaning is seriously mistaken. The 1999 Clinton/Barak/Arafat negotiations were carried out under the presumption that Arafat was in control of a people potentially capable of forming a sovereign state. This is not the case now where in effect Hamas is in control. Abbas is not remotely in the position to establish a sovereign state of Palestine comprised of Gaza and the West Bank. Until the Palestinians have got their house in order, formally and fully recognise the State of Israel and cease all hostility (from Gaza as well as the West Bank)towards Israel, there is, alas, no basis for negotiations. It simply makes no sense for Bush and Rice to push for negotiations with Abbas who does not speak for 1.5 million people in Gaza and perhaps even lacks majority support on the West bank. The Annapolis meeting might provide self-delusional PR for Bush and Condy (and Oz), but will not lead to peace simply more war. |
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