The scandal of Olmart and the request of Barak will not affect the negotiation in the Middle East because in Israel and on the Arab side, all wait for the new American Administration to go ahead.

It is clear that the stalled peace process between Israel and the Palestinian Authority will be a twin to another process between Israel and Syria. Both Israel and Syria are not interested to go serious now because thy wait for the new American Administration. The week Israeli government will be weaker if Olmart did not respond to Barak’s requirements to either resign or declare a new government. He said that the Premier couldn’t look after the higher interests of the state while being investigated by the police. Barak, Netanyahu and Levini compete for their boss’s post. To complicate the situation the Knesset has imposed new restriction to the Israeli negotiator by requesting a referendum before withdrawing from Golan.

Abbas the Palestinian President think that the Israeli internal political crisis will badly affect the future of negotiations and the peace process. Was the process fruitful before Olmart’s corruption scandal? Until now, Mr. Bush is the only person who waits for a new Palestinian State to be created this year. Levini warned against setting timetables. Barak had a previous experience with Arafat. Netanyahu is a hardliner against peace. Rumors about secret discussion of main issues between Israeli and Palestinian negotiators leaked. This means that there is no political will to solve now.

Israel started negotiations in Turkey with Syria while the Americans were reluctant about Syria. Both partners know that after few months a new administration will be present in Washington. Usually the first year of a new American Administration is a waste time because the new president studies the Mideast file. Does the Israeli feel that it is time to conclude peace before the demographic risks deteriorate the conditions more? All parties agreed to one thing, which is engaging the new administration in the Mideast from day one. Yet a political will and hard decisions should be taken by all parts to strike deals. Negotiating the negotiations will lead to further deterioration and will push politician who use the peace process a maneuver to cover their internal problems to widen their maneuvers to risky unnecessary wars.

On the Arab side, next year may witness new surprising decisions from the Palestinians if the present process did not yield productive. Syria is on crossroads. The regime has to choose between going ahead in peace or alliance with Iran. A negotiation is a strategic decision that should not be taken to cover internal corruption. Resignation of Olmart should not affect negotiations with all parts. Reluctance about Iran or Golan will just push Iran to play the Syrian card. Israel should be serious about peace. Syria should play its peace card. Palestinians should resolve their internal crisis. The Americans need the Mideast to confront the new Asian rivals. It is better for all parts to talk with Obama and Mac Cain from now on.

To know more about the Middle East you may read this story:
A Tale Of Two Wars,
Cairo 1967 - Baghdad 2003
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