A flawed (Israeli-Palestinian) plan, but it could pave the way for peace

http://www.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,3604,1096757,00.html

A flawed plan, but it could pave the way for peace

A new Israeli-Palestinian accord has kick-started the political process

Sharon Sadeh Monday December 1, 2003
The Guardian

A few hundred dignitaries will assemble today in Geneva for a peace ceremony between Israelis and Palestinians. A rare and delightful sight, no doubt, after three years of relentless and futile bloodshed. But is this also the turning point in the Middle East peace process? <snip>

While the authors claim the proposal is based on the Clinton plan discussed at the Camp David and Sharm el-Sheikh summits three years ago, crucial elements in the accord clearly deviate from Clinton's formulas. These include the sovereignty over Temple Mount in Jerusalem; the percentage of territorial swaps; and the principles governing the solution to the Palestinians' right of return, including the number of refugees to be absorbed in Israel proper. A careful comparison would point out that Israel will lose out if it implements the Geneva accord.

Additionally, the accord may even ignite another point of contention - namely the evaluation and compensation of Palestinian property left behind in 1948 that can now be found in what is regarded as Israel proper. This issue could lead to endless claims and counter-claims, and fuel fresh resentment and bickering.
While Israel is required to be involved in this compensation process, the issue of compensating Jewish refugees who were forced to flee their Arab homelands was not discussed. How the properties will be valued is unclear. No doubt the value of Palestinian possessions left in Israel has increased dramatically over the years, and might be worth billions of dollars. Who will foot the bill?

Another question mark hovers over the initiative's base of support. A poll commissioned by an Israeli newspaper found that about 39% of Israelis back the accord. However, apart from unreserved support from the fringe of the left in Israel, all the main parties - from the centre-left to the right - were united in their objection. Surprisingly, even the Labour party - the main opposition party and a traditional champion of the peace camp - distanced itself. The party's leaders have rejected or ignored it altogether, dismissing it as an academic exercise that will serve the Palestinians in future official negotiations. <snip>