POLITICS: Israel and Palestinian Authority Said to Agree on Peace Deal

Egyptian news MENA report that Israel and the Palestinian Authority have agreed to key principals the could lead to a comprehensive settlement. MENA, quoting high level sources, stated steps have been made to end the the violence. MENA also stated that these steps included a cease fire and international backing. Although the Israeli goverment officials called the deal "a little premature", progress is being made.



Even though the finer details of an agreement have yet to be reached, this is real progress in a positve direction. A lot of hard work has yet to been accompleshed, but according to the article, both sides are attempting to reach a compromise. Eygpt is playing a key role in brokering the negotiations. After the release of Israeli prisoner by Egypt on espionage charges, Eygpt has gain a lot high ground in the issue of peace between the PLA and Israel


[edit on 8-12-2004 by Banshee]

Good find Hopefully this will be the start of real progress in the region. Otherwise its gonna be ugly. However, if Sharon's government collapses, all bets are off and we may see an ultra right wing guy like Netanyahu step in and that will be bad news for the entire process.

Now this will be interesting....

Arafat's not even cold in the grave and the peace process seems back on track. So much for the resolve of the palastinians, it was merely the presence of the old leader and his will that kept things fighting along.

Its a great move and predicted by many in the media and politics....

However there are those, like hamas, who DON'T want peace, I wonder how they will be contained.....

Originally posted by Netchicken
However there are those, like hamas, who DON'T want peace, I wonder how they will be contained.....

To be fair NC there are extremist groups on both sides of the issues. There are settle groups that are the idelogical opposates of Hamas and Hizbollah. And remeber the last time we got close a Jewish radical assasinated the Isreali PM.

If this really all goes through, Arafat may not be so foundly remembered in hindsight. Maybe, it really will be possible to build a lasting peace. Although, I think there are still a lot of powerful interest, who don't want Israel to be at peace, both in the Middle East, and in the west. The conflict helps provie a source of legitimacy for Arab leaders, and it allows the US to have greater leverage in Israel/Palestine. If Israeli truly became at peace with the Arab world, Islamic radicals might turn their focus to the local elites.

Good point, Israel has been the scapegoat for any problems in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia even blamed it recently for some terrorist uprisings, against their leaders. lybia, Iraq, etc havve used the Israeli excuse for internal issues as well.

Once that excuse has gone, then attention will turn to the despotic rulers of their countries, and they won't be able to blame their problems on their mythical enemies...