Today in a national conference in Annapolis, Israeli and Palestinian leaders resolved to restart peace talks. President Bush also pledged to help the two nations achieve peace. Bush read from a pre approved text on the behalf of the two leaders which gave a vague out line for future plans of peace. However, this goal is already threaten with the thousands of Hamas supporters protesting against the Annapolis Conference. For more information go to http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/mideast_summit;_ylt=AmcH2sMJc4rnVLkgmLL7ENcUewgF .
Personally, it seems so depressing to see such anti-American rallies on the eve of a supposedly historic moment of peace negotiations. Even if Bush hopes to "devote himself to ending the six-decade conflict in the 14 months he has left in office", he barely even has the support of the American public. How can he muster up enough international respect to truly help these two nations gain peace?
4 comments:
I really hope that the international community can put aside their enmity of america to give support to this cause because it is such an important one. The conflicts between these countries are deep and long standing which makes this attempt at peace even more important. I also hope that the american people will be supportive and i am sure, in time, they will be.
This reminds me of the Camp David Accords in the 70's with President Carter mediating between Egypt and Israel. I believe that, although achieving peace between Israel and Palestine is considerably harder considering their pasts, President Bush has the right idea. The situation is pretty similar: a not so popular president (Iran hostage crisis) meeting with two countries in America.. BUT..
He really doesn't have as fair of a chance. Unlike the Egypt and Israel conflict, the fighting between Israel and Palestine is related to the founding of a country, Israel. And because thousands of Hamas supporters are protesting help, it will be nearly impossible for Bush to make a real difference. Even if he can make peace with the two leaders, Hamas is in ultimate control of Palestine because they are the majority in the parliament.
So no. I don't think Bush will be able to do make peace like Carter.
I agree with Noelle, that sadly I don't think negotiations are really going to help. I think these peace talks are a step in the right direction, but ultimately the only way to have peace would be for either Isreal or Palestine to give up its claims to Jerusalem. Also, since Hamas took control of the Palestinian government by gaining a majority of seats in the election, peace seems even less likely. It's written in their charter that jihad is the only solution. Therefore as long as such a militant group has power, I don't think any amount of international respect is going to help these countries reach a peaceful solution.
Palestine wants to get rid of Israel.
Israel wants to preside over their current land.
People of both countries hate each other.
I don't see much of a compromise coming out of that.
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