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Is Peace Out of Reach?

[Los Angeles Times] Aaron David Miller - I've learned from experience never to say never in Arab-Israeli peacemaking, but certain grim realities inform the pessimism. First, the viability of an authoritative, pragmatic Palestinian center is at serious risk. Some, of course, argue that it never existed. I've known Mahmoud Abbas for more than a decade; he's a good man with a moderate nature who has the will and the incentive to make peace with Israel. But he lacks the power. He barely controls his own Fatah party, let alone the West Bank he's been relegated to. Eager to empower him, Israel and the U.S. are releasing funds, prisoners, political support and maybe even guns. It's worth a try, though Hamas will promote disorder and its own influence in the West Bank to frustrate Abbas' plans there. The grim reality is that a two-state solution is becoming less likely. With the growing divide between Gaza and the West Bank, a truncated Palestinian state separated by Israel and now by a growing divide within Palestinian ranks is hard to envision.
2007-07-16 01:00:00
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