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Al-Ahram Weekly 29 July - 4 August 1999 Issue No. 440 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 29 July - 4 August 1999 Issue No. 440
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Profile Travel Living Sports Time Out Chronicles People Cartoons Letters Jerusalem remains
I feel we are on the threshold of a new era in the Arab-Israeli conflict. I believe we will witness a final settlement at last: the voices emerging from Israel at present seem to indicate that a radical change in policy has taken place there. The overwhelming feeling of despair that characterised the region during Netanyahu's tenure has also begun to dissipate; a measure of optimism has appeared on all sides. The promises Barak has made seem sincere, at least on the surface. I believe that, in the coming few months, the wheel of the peace process will begin to turn once more, after two years spent idling -- or, more aptly, stuck in a rut. I predict that settlements on the Syrian, Lebanese and Palestinian fronts will not be long in coming.
Still, the issue of Jerusalem remains unresolved. I, for one, am not optimistic that this thorn in the negotiators' side will be plucked out painlessly. Jerusalem is a difficult issue, and the Israelis seem determined to dig their heels in. As the capital of the three main monotheistic faiths, it is perhaps only natural that the holy city be an emotional bone of contention. What makes matters more complicated is the fact that some of the parties to the process are using it for their own ends. Hillary Clinton has done just that in her campaign for election to the US Senate, by calling for the transfer of the US embassy from Tel Aviv. This can only complicate matters and distort the negotiating process.
Based on an interview by Mohamed Salmawy.
