Opportunity vs Reality

Anapolis is the venue. The issue is the most volatile one. Israel and Palestine seek peace, one man seeks a legacy, and the whole world is skeptical about the outcome.

The signs may not be encouraging. Many newspapers view that the participation in the summit will lead to its ultimate failure. Mahmood Abbas, head of the Palestinian Authority, is leader of only half the population in the occupied territories. Israeli PM Ehud Olmert is not popular. He is distracted by coalition power politics and is unable to focus wholly on the peace issue. US Presdient Geroge.W.Bush is unpopular throughout the world.

Media channels as of now, have said that a deal may be struck in the next year. The Leaders of the parties involved have agreed to make concessions by the next year, but have termed it ambitious. The stakes are too high, and there is not much hope in the Middle East and in the world.

Let us lok at the reasons why it may fail. The lack of participation of Hamas, Iran's dismissal of the summit as an appeasement to Israel and the unpopularity of America in the middle east following Iraq. But, there is hope. The tensions in Israel and Palestine is low. There has been no active volatility in the region for nearly a year. The Suicide Bombings have eased, and there have been no incursions by Israel. All these should be positive. But, the nature of the middle east is such that things look good on the surface, but there are troubled times underneath

The Middle east is such that one incident somewhere in the region could spell trouble in Israel and Palestine. Iraq, Lebanon's power vacumm leading to Hezbollah's prominence, Iran's rhetoric and increase in Rocket attacks from Gaza could derail the process. Since, Hamas has not been represented, the majority of Palestinians are without a voice.

Many summits have taken place. From Camp David in 1979, Madrid in 1990, Oslo peace accords in 1993, Camp David in 2000 and now Anapolis 2007, many declarations have been passed. But, these declarations have ignored the events that take place on the ground. But, if both sides are fedup of the bloodshed, then they HAVE to agree on the peace initiative.

It remains to be seen which country compromises. Will Israel dismantle the settlements on the West Bank? Will Palestinains curb Fanaticism and the suicide and rocket attacks against Israel? Will Israel allow free travel for the Palestinians in the occupied territories? Will Israel allow access to Water for the Palestinains? Can both sides agree on the final borders? Will there be a clear status on Jerusalem/ Al-Quds?

These are some of the questions among a list of hundreds. The main essence is going to be compromise. The media might give this summit a tone of desperation, ambition and personal legacy, but both sides must understand that bloodshed cannot last for eternity. Painful concessions, ignoring extremist calls from any side, have to be made, if peace is to be achieved. But, who will budge? That question needs an answer first, and put into actual practice following Anapolis.