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Last update - 00:00 27/11/2007
Analysis / Four quick points on Israel-Palestinian joint statement
By Shmuel Rosner in Annapolis
Tags: Mideast peace process, Israel 
Starting tomorrow, a new political reality will make life more difficult both for Olmert and for Abbas.

Timing: Promising to conclude the peace negotiations within a year is the headline of this document. It is a challenge that should not be taken lightly.

Both sides remember that deadlines are not sacred in the Middle East, and were rarely met in similar occasions. Nevertheless, they will try to meet this goal, paying Bush for his vision (the Palestinians) and support (Israelis).

The timing is important for Israel specifically for another reason: This will be the year in which Bush will make his most important decision concerning Israel - whether to prevent Iran, by all means necessary, from getting a nuclear bomb.
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Mechanism: We don't know exactly how the American judge will evaluate the way both sides fulfill their commitments as specified in the road map. This technical arrangement is the most important practical outcome of the document. If the Americans are hasty, motivated by the desire to see the process come to completion while Bush is still in office, Israel might regret this deal.

Core issues: They were not specified, but the core issues of Jerusalem, refugees and borders are back on the table and with them, the ability of the political opposition to the peace process to raise hell.

Remember: Some Israeli parties threatened to leave the coalition if Jerusalem is mentioned in the document. It was not - that's an achievement for Olmert, but that will be short-lived. Starting tomorrow, a new political reality will make life more difficult both for Olmert and for Abbas. Whether they can maintain their coalitions through a year of "core issue" negotiations is yet to be seen.

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      1.   PA says still open hunting season to kill Israelis 19:12  |  Dr. Aaron Lerner - I 27/11/07
      2.   1-0 to Abbas 19:55  |  Singer 27/11/07
      3.   "Dr" Lerner 19:58  |  Esther L 27/11/07
      4.   Regardless of politics in Israel/Pal, Bush won 19:59  |  David Hoffman 27/11/07
      5.   Dr. Aaron Lerner 20:02  |  Ernie 27/11/07
      6.   The Arabs must make very painful concessions for real peace! 20:12  |  Uzi 27/11/07
      7.   There can never be separate Arab polity west of the Jordan! 20:14  |  Uzi 27/11/07
      8.   Equitable and practicable peace plan that may work for a change! 20:16  |  Uzi 27/11/07
      9.   Core issue about Refugees should be dead 21:29  |  Awake 27/11/07
      10.   #8 Uzi the racist 21:36  |  Labhras 27/11/07
      11.   Uzi - read your words! 22:01  |  Goldberg 27/11/07
      12.   who would have thought 22:10  |  Kris 27/11/07
      13.   It would be a good idea for the Palestinians to make peace 22:31  |  Yoav Naor 27/11/07
      14.   #8 Uzi is correct 23:19  |  David 27/11/07
      15.   West bank is made up place...Judea and Samaria 23:22  |  David 27/11/07
      16.   #10 and #11, US needs to give Israel money more than other way 23:24  |  David 27/11/07
      17.   David - yawn, yawn 23:35  |  Palestinian Brit 27/11/07
      18.   For Dr. Lerner # 1 who doesn`t understand sacred cows. 23:45  |  Fortuna Benmayor 27/11/07
      19.   Labhras & Goldberg, get real, you are talking infantile nonsense! 23:51  |  Uzi 27/11/07
      20.   Palestinians Learn Terrorism Works, Israel Has Weak Leaders 00:11  |  Yoram 28/11/07
      21.   Everyone has an agenda 00:50  |  Yoav Naor 28/11/07
      22.   Annapolis Meeting 01:21  |  Elliott Miller 28/11/07
      23.   PEACE DEAL 02:14  |  JULIUS KLAYMAN 28/11/07
      24.   ANYBODY FOR P-E-A-C-E?! 05:27  |  Sal 28/11/07
      25.   Goldberg....do you know anything about israeli history 06:49  |  dvorah huber 28/11/07
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