In recent months, the despair normally endemic to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict would seem to have dissipated somewhat. The level of violence is relatively low (despite occasional outbursts like the one earlier this week) and both sides have adopted conciliatory rhetoric. Tragically, however, this patina of optimism masks a dysfunctional process. While the Palestinian Authority (PA) is striving mightily to reform its political and security institutions and enforce a cease-fire, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is expanding illegal settlements in the West Bank to the point where it will be impossible to establish a truly sovereign Palestinian state. The Bush administration has encouraged Sharon by endorsing Israel's retention of large settlement blocs in any future settlement.
Under these circumstances, there is little point in the PA's continuing negotiations. In fact, it will have to dramatically alter its strategy to have any hope of transforming the present situation in its favor. When PA President Mahmoud Abbas meets with U.S. President George W. Bush on his scheduled visit to the White House on May 26, he will reportedly ask Bush to intensify pressure on Israel. By now it should be blindingly obvious that Bush has no intention of doing so. So instead Abbas should inform Bush that the PA is suspending contact with Israel and will not negotiate until its minimal demands on the so called "final-status" issues are guaranteed.
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