(Not) all is quiet on the Israel-Palestine front

[Jefferson23]

Jun 8, 2011

By Victor Kotsev

TEL AVIV - It is a cliche in the Middle East to say that appearances are deceptive. Yet there is hardly a better demonstration of this pattern than the ongoing pirouette between Israelis, Palestinians and involved foreign powers.

On the surface, things are fairly straight-forward, and last week's narrative still holds: both sides are entrenched in their positions, and negotiations are impossible. The Palestinians are preparing an extensive set of measures, mostly diplomatic and based on non-violent strategy (though not necessarily non-violent), to up the pressure on Israel prior to declaring independence in September.

Under the surface, however, several powerful intrigues that could significantly modify the strategic calculus are stirring. If successful, negotiations for the release of captive Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, currently being conducted in Egypt under a media blackout, could help trigger off a new round of Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, and thus delay or avert the Palestinian bid to sick independence at the United Nations.

Syria is seething with unrest, and as a consequence is quickly losing influence over Hamas to Egypt. Its desperation and displeasure were evident in the carefully orchestrated clash that left a number of Palestinians dead while trying to breach Israel's northern border on Sunday ("Naksa" day - the day commemorating the Arab defeat in the 1967 war).

Last Thursday, former Egyptian ambassador to Israel Muhammad Basyuni dropped a bombshell when he proclaimed that a deal on Shalit's release was "within hours" of being reached. The time frame proved inaccurate, but there had been indications of progress for some time before, and Palestinian sources confirmed that a deal was "close to completion." <1>

remainder: http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/MF08Ak03.html

[Never Stop Dancin]

1. So what else is new

What a non story. For 60 years they won't let Israel have a moment's peace.