Condoleezza Rice Wants Palestinian State

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on October 15, “It is time for a Palestinian state to be founded.”

Rice made the remark in a press conference after having a meeting with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah, the capital of Palestine situated in the West Bank.

Israel and Palestine are expected to hold peace talks brokered by the United States in Annapolis, Maryland at the end of next month and to issue an agreement on establishing an independent Palestine. Yet skepticism over peace talks has been widespread as both parties have been at odds with each other.

Rice’s remark came after her visit to the Middle East and has created new hope that the Israel-Palestine peace talks may enter a new phase.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, for his part, indicated on October 15 that as part of the peace process, his government could give up eastern Jerusalem, gained during the war in 1967.

East Jerusalem is the place where the Palestinian authority wants to establish the capital of an independent Palestine. Israel had regarded it as taboo to mention East Jerusalem in relation to its dealings with Palestine. Thus, the Prime Minister’s announcement is considered a dramatic move departing from the previous stance.

There is also a sign of change from the other side as the militant group Hamas, at odds with Abbas, announced, “Hamas will discuss the territorial issue with the ruling party, Fatah.”

Yet in addition to the territorial issues, many critical issues, including the return of the Palestinian refugees and the removal of Israeli settlers make it difficult to predict future developments.

The BBC reported, “What matters is how much the United States is prepared to deal with some of the critical issues facing the peace process.” The AP also points out, “As the leaders of both parties are politically weak within their respective states, it would be difficult to implement a peace deal at the moment.”

zsh75@donga.com