Cards in Israeli and Palestinian hands

2012-08-23

The world wants to see peace in the longest conflict since world war two. Any peace agreement between two parts should include victories and losses for both sides. Both must give something to take something. There are so called cards in the hands of israel and the Palestinian authority that they like to play.

Negotiable cards in Israeli hands:
1. Palestinian prisoners in Israel
2. Israeli settlements existing today and future settlements

Negotiable palestinian cards:
Nothing

Common cards are that not negotiable:
1. Jerusalem: Both claim that it is their capital and holy land and wants to rule. I believe the city could be ruled by UN personal as an open international town, at least until the other issues are solved.
2. The security situation: if one part attack the other, a respons can come quickly eather by Israeli military or Palestinian militants making civilian life on both sides suffer.
3. Palestinian refugees: Their issue outside the west bank and gaza is clear. Israel will never accept a return to Israel and says that they could easier settle down in Arab countries or return to a future Palestine in the West bank and/or in Gaza. The Palestinian side reject the Israeli will but has no means to pressure Israel to change its mind

At any negotiation table the stronger part will have the upper hand. In this case the winner when no peace is reached is Israel. The Palestinian side should accept todays conditions because even if they are worse then yesterdays, they are for sure better than tomorows.