My observations

Submitted by There is NO Santa Claus (United States), Aug 14, 2013 at 01:28

Given all the turmoil in the Arab League States, the Palestinian Arabs (whether they admit it or not) should be feeling kinda lucky right now. The status quo for the Palestinian Arabs beats life in Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Egypt, Sudan, Somalia, Yemen and a whole lot of other Arab League States.

Regardless of any U.S. pressure on Israel, the Israelis don't really have to make any concessions given the state of affairs in the rest of the Arab League States. The Israelis know that the Palestinian Arabs have it relatively good. The Palestinian Arabs won't admit that, but they want to stay in power and changing the status quo won't bode well for Mahmoud Abbas et al.

It's nice to see the PA finally talking to Israel. My guess is that the real reason they're talking is to hang onto what they have. If the PA were to actually gain independence, their leaders would be dangling by their necks in the public square as HAMAS takes over. In my view, these talks are really about preserving the status quo.

Up until the recent turmoil in the Arab League States, the PA had no reason to talk to Israel. Now, if they want to stay in power, they need to talk. The discussion won't be on a permanent settlement to the conflict between the two parties. The discussion will be on how to maintain the status quo which is much better (for Palestinian Arabs these days) than the state of affairs in Egypt, Syria, Lebanon and most other Arab League States.

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