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Wednesday November 21, 2007

Annapolis is worth a shot

It’s anchors aweigh for the Annapolis summit, but will this ship founder on the rocks like so many previous Middle East peace talks?

The Annapolis summit brings together Israel, the Palestinians, neighboring Arab countries and members of the quartet (America, Russia, the European Union and the United Nations) for serious negotiations. The parties will gather later this month in the Maryland capital to discuss a range of topics, including, it is rumored, some so-called final-status issues.

But before they get to Annapolis, everyone is jockeying for position. Syria demands that the return of the Golan Heights be on the agenda. Palestinians demand a freeze on all settlement construction, redress for their “right of return” and prisoner releases (they got the latter this week with Israel announcing the freeing of some 450 prisoners).

Some Israeli politicians have voiced preconditions as well, such as insisting the Palestinian Authority –– and by extension regional Arab countries –– recognize Israel as a Jewish state. That makes sense to us, but would be a bitter pill for the Arabs.

It all sounds so familiar. Precondition after precondition, all to be met before the parties actually sit down to talk. It strikes us as little more than political posturing.

The Israeli and Palestinian prime ministers have lowered expectations by warning the summit may not produce a joint declaration. That would indicate a less-than-stellar outcome, with perhaps little upon which to build in future negotiations.

So why bother with Annapolis?

For one thing, the symbolism of foes such as Syria and other Arab hardliners sitting at the table with Israel cannot be discounted. It will bolster Israel’s image and elevate diplomatic efforts.

For another, after much dithering about the so-called road map to peace, Annapolis is the first all-out attempt to implement that plan with the imprimatur of full international support. Even if Annapolis sputters, it could set the stage for more fruitful discussions later on.

And with Hamas shut out, Annapolis further marginalizes and discredits that gang of thugs. It appears increasingly possible that Hamas may crumble under the weight of its own insignificance.

Finally, it is only human to long for progress, to long for an end to the fighting, to long for peace. While past disappointments dictate caution, we –– and our Israeli brothers and sisters –– need to have hope for an end to the conflict.

Fraught with challenges as it may be, Annapolis could prove a turning point. It’s worth the price of admission to find out.

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