Wednesday, December 27, 2006

ABBAS WANTS CLOSED TALKS

Abbas proposes closed talks with Israel By SALAH NASRAWI,
Associated Press Writer Wed Dec 27, 4:26 PM ET

CAIRO, Egypt - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas proposed Wednesday that he start closed-door talks with Israel on some of their most difficult disputes including the status of Jerusalem and the fate of Palestinian refugees. It is the right time to talk, Abbas told reporters after he met with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.Recent weeks have seen a growing momentum toward reviving Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert met Abbas on Saturday, and Olmert is expected to meet Mubarak next week at an Egyptian Red Sea resort. The bipartisan panel on Iraq headed by former U.S. Secretary of State James A. Baker III said progress on the Israeli-Palestinian dispute could help ease tensions in Iraq.

Egypt, the first Arab country to make peace with Israel, has hosted several rounds of talks among rival Palestinian factions over the years. It has been working to broker a deal between the Jewish state and Hamas for the release of an Israeli soldier captured in June by militants affiliated to the group.Olmert said last week that he would consider releasing some of the thousands of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel before Cpl. Gilad Shalit is freed.Abbas did not spell out why he was proposing that the negotiations with Israel be backdoor. But as one of the architects of the 1993 Oslo peace accord between Israel and the Palestinians, he is known to
champion quiet, informal diplomacy.

We have the idea of a backdoor channel between us and the Israelis, with the participation of
one or all members of the Quartet to discuss all the issues of the final status, Abbas said, referring to the Western powers — the United States, Russia, European Union and the United Nations — that oversee the peace process. Abbas said he proposed backdoor negotiations to Olmert at their weekend meeting, and that the Israeli leader promised to consider the suggestion. He also said he planned to discuss the idea with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice when she comes to the Middle East next month.Abbas made clear he wanted the talks to focus on the issues that have been the hardest to resolve in previous negotiations. Those issues are the future of Palestinian refugees, the sovereignty of Jerusalem — which both Israelis and
Palestinians claim as their capital — and the borders of the future Palestinian state.It is not certain that Olmert would agree to tackle the thorniest issues rather than proceed cautiously with step-by-step negotiations and interim agreements. It is also unclear how the Palestinian government would view the results of backdoor talks with Israel by Abbas, who is in the opposition.

Hamas, which refuses to recognize Israel, is believed to favor a limited truce with the Jewish state in exchange for its complete withdrawal from the West Bank and east Jerusalem. Olmert is under pressure from hard-line Israelis opposed to withdrawing from the West Bank.Olmert is expected to meet Mubarak in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheik on Jan. 4, Olmert's office said Wednesday. Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit met Israeli officials in Jerusalem on Wednesday to prepare for the summit.Egypt has been trying to negotiate the release of an Israeli soldier whose capture by Hezbollah militants touched off the summer war in Lebanon.A spokesman for President Mubarak, Suleiman Awad, told reporters Wednesday that the Egyptian leader had written to President Bush urging him to take advantage of the current climate to revive Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.

Saturday, December 23, 2006

2006 ISR - PAL FACTS

CHRONOLOGY-Key 2006 events in Israeli-Palestinian relations23 Dec 2006 17:10:30 GMT Source: Reuters

Israeli-Palestinian conflict More Dec 23 (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will hold their first formal talks as leaders on Saturday. Following are key events this year in Israeli-Palestinian relations.

Jan. 4, 2006 - Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon suffers a massive stroke. Olmert, his deputy, takes over.

Jan. 25 - The militant group Hamas, which is sworn to Israel's destruction, heavily defeats Abbas's Fatah party in parliamentary elections. Hamas rejects a call by the Quartet of Middle East power brokers -- the U.S., U.N., Russia and the European Union, to renounce violence and recognise Israel.

March 28 - Olmert's centrist Kadima party wins Israeli elections on a platform of unilateral withdrawal from Palestinian territories. Abbas rejects any unilateral Israeli pullout, saying such a move must be discussed with Palestinians.

March 29 - Hamas government sworn in after other factions, including Fatah, refuse to join its administration. As a result, the United States and European Union suspend hundreds of millions of dollars in direct aid to the Palestinian government.

May 23 - U.S. President George W. Bush says Olmert's ideas for unilaterally removing Israeli settlements from the occupied West Bank in the absence of negotiations are bold, after the two leaders meet at the White House.

June 25 - Hamas militants and other gunmen launch first deadly raid into Israel from Gaza since pullout of Israeli troops and Jewish settlers in 2005, killing two soldiers and capturing Corporal Gilad Shalit. Three days later Israeli forces launch offensive into Gaza.

Aug. 16 - Abbas and Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas say they will renew negotiations to form a unity government.

Sept. 4 - Olmert puts on hold his plan for a unilateral pullback from West Bank settlements amid fears of rocket attacks by Arab militants on the Jewish state.

Nov. 26 - Ceasefire in Gaza announced, ending five-month Israeli offensive. Sporadic violence persists and rocket fire continues into Israel, but truce holds.

Nov. 27 - Olmert announces he is ready to release many jailed Palestinians in return for Shalit.

Nov. 30 - Abbas says talks over unity government at dead end.

Dec. 16 - Abbas calls for fresh parliamentary and presidential elections at the earliest opportunity. Hamas rejects his call and violence erupts throughout Palestinian territories.

Dec. 23 - Spokesmen for Abbas and Olmert announce first formal meeting between leaders to take place at Israeli prime minister's residence in Jerusalem. AlertNet news

Saturday, December 16, 2006

OLMERT LAND FOR PEACE

LAND FOR PEACE (THE FUTURE 7 YEARS OF HELL ON EARTH)

JOEL 3:2
2 I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.

DANIEL 9:26-27
26 And after threescore and two weeks(62X7=434 YEARS+7X7=49 YEARS=TOTAL OF 69 WEEKS OR 483 YRS) shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary;(ROMAN LEADERS DESTROYED THE 2ND TEMPLE) and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.(THERE HAS TO BE 70 WEEKS OR 490 YRS TO FUFILL THE VISION AND PROPHECY OF DAN 9:24).(THE NEXT VERSE IS THAT 7 YR WEEK OR (70TH FINAL WEEK).27 And he( THE ROMAN,EU PRESIDENT) shall confirm the covenant with many for one week:(1X7=7 YEARS) and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease,(3 1/2 yrs in TEMPLE SACRIFICES STOPPED) and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

ISAIAH 28:14-19 (THIS IS THE 7 YR TREATY COVENANT OF DANIEL 9:27)
14 Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem.15 Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.17 Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.18 And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge
shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it.19 From the time that it goeth forth it shall take you: for morning by morning shall it pass over, by day and by night: and it shall be
a vexation only to understand the report.

DANIEL 8:23-25
23 And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king (EU DICTATOR) of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences,(FROM THE OCCULT) shall stand up.24 And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power:(SATANS POWER) and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.25 And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes;(JESUS) but he shall be broken without hand.

DANIEL 11:36-40
36 And the king shall do according to his will;(EU PRESIDENT) and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.37 Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers,(THIS EU DICTATOR IS A EUROPEAN JEW) nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all.38 But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces:(HES A MILITARY GINIUS) and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things.39 Thus shall he do in the most strong holds (CONTROL HEZBOLLAH,AL-QUAIDA MURDERERS ETC) with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many,(HIS ARMY LEADERS) and shall divide
the land for gain. 40 And at the time of the end shall the king of the south(EGYPT) push at him:(EU DICTATOR PROTECTING ISRAELS SECURITY) and the king of the north(RUSSIA) shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships;
and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.

ISAIAH 26:21
21 For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.(WW3,1/2 earths population die).

ISAIAH 13:6-13 KJV6 Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.7 Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man's heart shall melt:(FROM FRIGHT)8 And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames.9 Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.10 For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.11 And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.12 I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.13 Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day
of his fierce anger.

ISAIAH 24:17-23 KJV
17 Fear, and the pit, and the snare, are upon thee, O inhabitant of the earth.18 And it shall come to pass, that he who fleeth from the noise of the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that cometh up out of the midst of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for the windows from on high are open, and the foundations of the earth do shake.19 The earth is utterly broken down, the earth is clean dissolved, the earth is moved exceedingly.20 The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy
upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again.21 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the
earth upon the earth.22 And they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited.23 Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously.

Olmert: Willing to trade land for peace
Israeli prime minister making extraordinary efforts to start peace negotiations with Abbas, expresses willingness to give up territories Ynetnews Published: 12.16.06, 07:35

In an interview with the BBC, reported on the news agency's website, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Israel was prepared to pull out from many, many territories.During the interview, he reaffirmed his support for a Palestinian state and said a new border would have to be determined, hopefully through negotiations.I'm making extraordinary efforts now to try and reach that kind of understanding with Abu Mazen that will allow both of us to start open, bilateral negotiations,Olmert told the BBC. He said he was very hopeful that talks would go ahead in spite of the difficulties that he (Abbas) experiences all the time. Abbas has called for
peace talks with Israel and is considered well-intentioned by Israeli officials. However, he is restricted by the radical and inflexible party line taken by the Hamas-led government.

According to Olmert, talks would not be easy because the Palestinian Prime Minister, Hamas Ismail Haniyeh, was not prepared to make any move towards peace. Hamas has repeatedly and openly resisted international calls to reject violence and recognize Israel. In his recent visit to Tehran, Haniyeh pledged never (to) recognize the usurper Zionist government and…continue our jihad-like movement.

Thursday, December 14, 2006

IRAN TO WEST PACK UP ISRAEL

I CAN NOT WAIT TO SEE AHMADINEJAD AND HIS RUSSIAN - MUSLIM (ARAB) HORDE DESTROYED BY GOD IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE. WE WILL SEE WHO WILL BE THE VICTOR IRAN, YOU MOUTH PIECE.

Ahmadinejad tells West to pack up Israel Thu Dec 14, 8:15 AM ET

TEHRAN (AFP) - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has met anti-Israel Jewish rabbis who took part in a controversial Holocaust conference and told Western powers to pack up Israel. Big powers and Zionist leaders should pack up the Zionist regime because they lied to create this fake regime, the state IRNA news agency quoted Ahmadinejad as saying Thursday.The comment was the latest verbal attack against Israel by Ahmadinejad, who after the Holocaust conference predicted Israel would disappear like the Soviet Union.

The fiercely anti-Israeli president added that Western powers could also hold a free referendum to appoint the Palestinian people's government with all Palestinians and the Jews, Muslims and Christians taking part.This proposition appeared to be a reference to Iran's long-stated policy of promoting a return of all Palestinian refugees to their former homes and then organising a referendum over the future of Palestine.Iran, which does not recognize Israel, held a two-day conference this week to examine questions posed by Ahmadinejad over the mass slaughter of six million Jews in World War War II, which he has described as a myth.The ultra-Orthodox
rabbis he met belong to an extreme sect which believes that the creation of Israel was an abomination. Ahmadinejad also met with several such rabbis during a recent visit to New York.

Monday, December 11, 2006

OLMERT RULE OUT NOTHING TO IRAN

Olmert: Rule Out Nothing on IranBy Hana Levi Julian (INN)

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert says a military attack against Iran is still an option if the Islamic state does not end its quest to build a nuclear weapon. In a report set to appear in the Sunday edition of the German Der Spiegel, Olmert is quoted as saying that threats by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to wipe Israel off the map pose an existential threat to Israel.The Prime Minister said in the interview, published ahead of Olmert's meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, that he expected graver measures to be taken to block Iran's ability to carry out its threats against Israel. Russia and China have blocked what some call half-hearted attempts by Britain, France and Germany in the United Nations Security Council to impose sanctions on Iran.

Olmert urged the international community to impose the sanctions it promised months ago, when Iran ignored an August 31 deadline to end its uranium enrichment program. Nothing has happened, however. When asked if he would rule out a military strike against Iran, the Prime Minister said flatly, I rule nothing out. Here is a leader who says openly that it is his aim to wipe Israel off the map. Israel is a member of the United Nations, he reminded. That someone says such a thing these days is absolutely criminal.The Iranian president flaunted the progress of his country’s nuclear program, meanwhile, describing the expansion of its uranium enrichment activities. He was quoted on Saturday by the Fars news agency as saying, We have started installing 3,000 centrifuges, and promised that the Islamic Republic will be able to produce our nuclear fuel once we install 60,000 centrifuges.

Even as the Islamic Republic moves towards developing a nuclear weapon capable of destroying Israel, and as the president of the country threatens to do so, a conference organized by Ahmadinejad is set for Sunday and Monday to question whether the Nazis really murdered six million Jews in the Holocaust.The Iranian President has called the Holocaust a myth and said reports of the genocide were exaggerated. Germany summoned a top Iranian official to its Foreign Ministry on Friday, and warned that any attempt to question the Holocaust was shocking and unacceptable.Ahmadinejad has also kept the fires burning closer to Israel’s
borders, providing strong financial backing to the Hamas terrorist organization leading the Palestinian Authority.The Iranian President praised Hamas Chairman and PA Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh after their meeting last week for not caving in to international pressure to recognize the Jewish State, renounce violence and uphold peace agreements with Israel signed by the previous PA government. Funding from most Western nations was cut off until Hamas agreed to meet the demands.

The terrorist faction, egged on by its Damascus-based politburo chief, Khaled Meshaal, has vowed to continue its refusal to recognize Israel, together with the Islamic Republic.The Iranian nation will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Palestinian people until Jerusalem is liberated, said Ahmadinejad, and vowed to continue its financial support of the terrorist entity. Iran has sent $120 million to the PA so far this year. Despite the boost, however, thousands of civil service workers, including hundreds of police officers in Gaza rioted in the streets on Saturday, having not received their salaries for months.

Friday, December 08, 2006

BETTER LATE THEN EVER

Better late than never for Mideast peace process, Mubarak interview Wed Dec 6, 7:55 AM

ET DUBLIN (AFP) - President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt has said key players were belatedly realising that ending the Palestinian-Israeli conflict was central to broader Middle East peace, ahead of a European tour. Recently, we note an evolving recognition of this reality among important international key players, Mubarak told the Irish Times, in an allusion to the United States and Europe, before leaving Cairo for Dublin, Paris and Berlin.This recognition, though late, represents a window of opportunity we must seize, Mubarak said Wednesday.

Mubarak, who arrives here later Wednesday, will meet Irish President Mary McAleese, Prime Minister Bertie Ahern and Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern during his two-day visit. Mubarak will later have talks with French President Jacques Chirac in Paris and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin.Any progress along the Palestinian-Israeli peace track will trigger a positive spillover on other Middle East crises; in Iraq and elsewhere, he said.He said there had to be a high-level political commitment within the diplomatic quartet of the United States, European Union, Russia and the United Nations to relaunch the Palestinian-Israeli peace
process.

Blaming both sides for miscalculations, he said the July-August war between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah guerrillas had undermined the whole region's stability.On Iraq, Mubarak suggested a careful, phased withdrawal of US-led coalition forces.Asked for his hopes for the long-awaited policy options from the Iraq Study Group in Washington, Mubarak said that if it
recommended withdrawal in the short term, that would be making another mistake, a terrible mistake.The newspaper said he drew two imaginary lines in the air. Withdrawal now is very dangerous, and I underline it.Mubarak complained that the Sudanese government could not accept the August UN Security Council Resolution 1706 on the violence in Darfur because it would lead to UN control over borders as well as impose changes on the judicial system and the police.If (the Darfur problem) is not looked after cautiously, terrorist groups will come from Somalia, from Ethiopia from everywhere, he warned.

Sunday, December 03, 2006

PEACE NOOOOOOOOOO

Some facts about the Jerusalem barrier
By The Associated Press Sat Dec 2, 12:05 PM ET

HISTORY

In the 1967 Mideast War, Israel captures Jordanian-ruled east Jerusalem, an area of about four square miles, which had been separated from the Jewish western side by walls and fences for 19 years. Government enlarges Jerusalem's boundaries, adding 43 square miles of war-won land. Population of expanded, united Jerusalem now consists of 196,000 Jews and 71,000 Arabs.

UPRISING

In the first four years of the Palestinian uprising, starting in 2000, dozens of Palestinian suicide bombers sneak into Israel, killing hundreds of Israelis. Jerusalem is especially hard hit, with 172 dead. Public outcry forces then-Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to approve construction of barrier in the West Bank, part of which runs through Jerusalem.

LENGTH

About 60 miles of the 450-mile barrier runs through Jerusalem and its environs. About 50 miles have been completed, 23 miles of it walls, the rest fence. Work has also begun on an additional 33-mile loop around the West Bank Jewish settlement of Maaleh Adumim, which would virtually cut the West Bank in half. The U.S. opposes that loop, and it's not clear whether it will eventually be connected to the main barrier.

COST

About 2 billion shekels, or $465 million.

POPULATION

Total: 710,000: 470,000 Jews and 240,000 Palestinians.Arab residents of Jerusalem inside the barrier: about 140,000.Arab residents of Jerusalem outside the barrier: some 100,000, including those who have moved to West bank suburbs but remain Jerusalem residents.

CHUCK FREILICH BOSTON GLOBE
Death of the Mideast peace processBy Chuck Freilich ,December 3, 2006

THE SAUDIS and Arab League have recently refloated the idea of the 2002 Beirut Initiative, Syrian President Bashar Assad has renewed his calls for a settlement on the Golan, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is trying, to the best of his limited power, to cajole the Hamas government into agreeing to terms that will enable renewed talks with Israel. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert recently met with President Bush for talks that included the peace process.

Far more than an opportune time for renewed diplomacy, we may be witnessing the death pangs of the Middle East peace process, with significant ramifications for US policy in the region and even globally.Ever since 1973, the peace process has been the basis of US regional diplomacy: The United States established a strong relationship with the moderate Arabs -- Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the Gulf and Maghreb states. At the same time, it pursued
an active policy of containing the Arab radicals. While juggling these two conflicting trends, the United States also succeeded in keeping a third ball in the air -- promoting the US-Israeli special relationship, turning what had previously been limited ties into a unique alliance.

The peace process was the mechanism that enabled this diplomatic feat, through the Arab belief that only the United States could deliver Israel. As long as the hope persisted that the United States would be able to attain for them what force could not, they were willing to tolerate its containment policy and support for Israel. When confronting the core issues (recognition, end to conflict, refugees, territory, Jerusalem), reality hit a wall, and the illusion shattered.Today, there are five primary options, none of which provides for optimism.One, is to topple the Hamas government, recognizing that diplomatic posturing aside, it is truly committed to Israel's destruction, that its leaders emphatic refusals to recognize Israel are genuine and, as such, it is not and will not become an acceptable partner. However, neither American nor Israeli experience in intervening in Arab affairs leads to much confidence that either would succeed in toppling Hamas. The concerted international pressure applied to the Hamas government since its election in January has had no effect on its policy or behavior, merely increasing domestic Palestinian hardship. Furthermore, hard to imagine as this is, if the regime is toppled, the outcome could be even worse complete chaos in the Palestinian territories and even greater violence.

A second option is to circumvent the Hamas government and work directly with Abbas. Indeed, the United States and Israel should do so and seek to gradually strengthen his domestic stature. Reality, however, is that Abbas, ineffectual at the height of his power some 18 months ago, has even less influence today. So while little is to be lost in pursuing this option, it, too, appears unrealistic.

A renewed, more forthcoming Saudi initiative might be beneficial but again, no one on the Palestinian side can deliver, and the Olmert government's ability to respond is not assured either.Continued...The third option, unilateralism, is now politically dead in Israel. It was virtually dead due to the ongoing firing of Kassam rockets into Israel following the Gaza withdrawal, and Hezbollah's recent bombardment of Israel during the summer war on the Israeli-Lebanese border has now put it firmly to rest. Quite simply, if neither negotiated solutions, nor even unilateral withdrawals, can provide Israel with security, its public will opt to retain territory. The tragedy is that the recent elections in Israel were a de facto referendum on unilateral withdrawal from the West Bank, which the public supported overwhelmingly.

A fourth option is to jump-start the Syrian track, an idea floated every time the Palestinian track reaches another dead end. Assuming that Assad is interested in a settlement and capable of implementing one, the equation is clear. In exchange for 100 percent of the Golan Heights -- actually more than 100 percent, as the Syrians demand territory that was Israel's under the pre-1967 international boundary Israel stands to gain a 100 percent cold peace, in effect little more than a state of non belligerency, with a radical regime that may not be in power for long. The cold peace with Egypt and Jordan will appear hot in comparison. It is questionable whether this type of deal is worthwhile for the United States or Israel, assuming it is achievable.This leaves the fifth option, actually a default, recognition that the peace process has probably run its course and that all parties involved will have to adjust their policies accordingly. For the United States, this means focusing on crisis management, not resolution, and cajoling Arab countries to finally focus on the real issues they face backwardness, poverty, oppression, fundamentalism, not the easy excuse of Israel. For Israel, it means many more years of hostilities, an inability to finally disengage from the West Bank and refocus its energies at home. For the Palestinians, more squalor and a further prolongation of their hopes to achieve their national aspirations.

Not a pretty picture just the Middle East.Chuck Freilich, former Israeli deputy national security adviser, is a senior fellow at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government.Globe Newspaper Company.