The Arab countries decided to go to the Annapolis parley to make peace, confirming their keenness on making it a chance to re-activate the peace process. Peace is not in favor of the Arabs only, but it is important to Israel as well given that Olmert knows it is the last chance for Israel to prove its good intentions after it used to disavow its former commitments. However, the success of the Annapolis parley is based on the response of the Olmert-led government to the peace efforts and the range of the US pressures on Israel.

And if the Annapolis parley is a start point toward re-activating serious negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians according to the major terms reference of the peace process, there should be an international mechanism to follow up the implementation of any would-be agreement. Hence, the parley should be followed by an intense series of serious talks concerning all major issues, namely the borders of the would-be Palestinian state, Jerusalem and refugees.

Al Ahram, Editorial
28/11/2007