Note: The translations of articles from the Hebrew press
are prepared by the Government Press Office
as a service to foreign journalists in Israel.
They express the views of the authors.
The Ice Was Broken
(Commentary by Roni Shaked, "Yediot Ahronot", July 12, 1999, p. A3)
Yesterday at the Erez crossing, after over three years of a freeze in
Israeli-Palestinian relations, the ice was broken.
This was a conversation between partners, not a negotiation. The
alienation, the suspicions and even the animosity which characterized the
Netanyahu-Arafat relationship were replaced by trust and understanding.
Even the seating plan was different: Barak and Arafat sat next to each
other -- and not on opposite sides of a table.
At the end of the meeting, it was noticeable that the Prime Minister had
restored the shine and smile to Arafat's face: He knows what to expect
and, more or less, the timetables.
But, in essence, Arafat left empty-handed. While he did not expect to
close matters at this meeting, he still left somewhat disappointed.
The Palestinian Authority Chairman thought that Barak's extended hand
would be accompanied by some gestures, such as an announcement on the
imminent release of Palestinian prisoners or on the resumption of work by
the joint committees, or even a more significant statement on settlements
-- for instance, an announcement of a halt to construction in Ras al-Amud.
Arafat raised all these issues at the joint press conference which
followed his meeting with Barak -- conducted in an atmosphere of "there is
what to talk about, despite our differences of opinion and the obstacles
in our path."
The Palestinians are waiting again. But, this time, Arafat knows it will
be worthwhile.