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Israel and Palestine A Changed Dynamic The fact that the long-delayed meeting of Yasir ‘Arafat and Shimon Peres finally took place, and efforts to enforce a ceasefire were resumed, led to a flurry of optimism followed by the all-too-predictable rash of shootings and car bombings which seemed to dispel the optimism. But that should not distract from the fact that the dynamic for an Israeli-Palestinian modus vivendi, if not a resumption of peace talks, has really changed since September 11. Most importantly, the United States, which had seemed to be applying an approach of benign neglect to the peace process earlier this year, seems genuinely interested in protecting itself from criticism that it is too pro-Israeli, and may be prepared to put greater pressure on Israel for progress, or at least for a relaxation of the siege on Palestinian positions. The Palestinian Authority may also have concluded that the continuing Al-Aqsa intifada may have run out of steam, or at least not be producing anything positive. Hopes of US and European intervention have been put on hold during the war on terrorism, and thus continued violence only seems to invite further Israeli retaliation and an erosion of Palestinian control. Efforts by Israel to "spin" the situation in its favor by insisting that the PA is part of the international terror conspiracy do not seem to be working, and the US clearly feels it needs to show balance in the Israeli-Palestinian sphere to persuade moderate Arab states to its side. That marks a change from the previous situation, even if it does not offer solid grounds for hope. |
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