Why the Palestinian-Israeli Truce Might Work

CSM commentator Ben Lynfield reports that some observers are taking the truce seriously.

This time around, analysts say, some key variables have changed. In Israel's view, the biggest difference is the death of Yasser Arafat, whom it and the US shunned for alleged ties to terrorism.

"Now the boulder has been removed and the road is clear," says Sharon spokesman Raanan Gissin. But Palestinians say the problem was - and remains - Sharon, not Arafat.

Factors helping define the current Israeli-Palestinian dynamic, say analysts, include the mutual exhaustion, the planned Gaza withdrawal, and international determination not to allow Abbas's efforts at stabilizing Palestinian politics and ending the armed intifada to come to naught. "This is the first time I feel that both sides have reached a point where ... there must be a new era and better conditions on both sides," says Palestinian analyst Khader Abu Abarra.

We hope. See the next post.
- posted by Base10 @ 12:11 PM