Well unfortunately Abbass can't control jack, nor can Haniyya (or anyone else in Hamas for that matter). You see the PNA is actually a non-entity, it only exists on paper, it has no functioning institutions nor a state. For that the Palestinians, Israelis and the international community at large is to blame.

No one (none of the other Arab countries or Hamas or Fatah or Israel, or the US for that matter) actually cares about establishing a fundtioning Palestinian state because the day such a state is established most will loose their blank checks to do something or other "for the Palestinians" or "for the security of Israel". Palestinian issue is a nice little excuse everyone, at one point or other, use to justify actions that would otherwise be seen for what they really are, horrendous, petty, stupid etc. etc.

By the way far as I know the history of violence goes both ways. Israel attacked the Arabs four times (56 and 67, later 82 and 06) and the Arabs instigated two wars (48 and 73). Oh it's not like either side was peaceful during the interim period, they were constantly shelling, bombing or raiding each other all the time.......................

Well one thing you all can be sure of is if at one point in time the Arab's actually get their act straight and develop participative and transparent governments, with equal rights and protections for all of it's citizens they will end being a part of the problem. Also if at some point in time Israel realizes that it's zionist ambitions and policies are what they are (ie. racist and exclusive) and gets its act straight it may actually have lasting security.....

This may sound utopic to some but this is the only way forward. I am sure that back in the 50's and 60's no one ever thought that there would be peace and dialogue between Israel and Egypt and Jordan but that is the new reality of the age. Similarly Israel has defacto become a Middle Eastern state, whether people like it or not they will have to deal with Israel in issues regarding the ME. The people of the region has sufferred poverty and backwardness long enough and they will ultimately have to break the mold and advance (economically, socially and politically). This in turn will solve most of the problems in the region. The major obstacle to lasting peace in the ME is the authotarian regimes there that actually use the Palestinian issue as a tool of oppression. For example the Saudis or Mubarak or Asad Israel is one of the factors where they can rally their people and direct their energies and frustrations at. That is why instead of say investing in Gaza or the West Bank. Of course security is an issue in Palestine as much as it is in Israel (hey Israeli rockets and bombs destroy just as well, if not better than the Kassams) but security can only be achieved bilaterally. As it stands the Palestinians really don't have all that much to loose so they feel free to play the connon fodder, give them something to loose and only then will Hamas and Fatah and the others have difficulty in recruiting fighters and suicide bombers. In a similar light if Israel had to bear the burden of building Palestinian infrastructure they would be more selective and restrained in their military operations.

In solving the ME problem a great challange faces not only the people of the region but the international community. What the outsiders need to do is be impartial and honest brokers with equal distance and compassion for both sides......

I don't agree with the premise that Hamas wants to be a part of Egypt. What Hamas wants is an independent Palestine led by themselves, surprise, surprise, that is also what Fatah wants. As long as they both exist it will be difficult to establish a Palestinian state. What the Palestinians have to realize is that they can't have two diametrically opposed entities representing them. Things were more or less OK as long as Arafat was alive, he could in some way or other appease both factions, but the vacuum created by his death has not really been filled. Abbas may have taken over the PLO (the core of which is Fatah) but Hamas will not cede to his authority (no surprises there). What really has to happen is Palestinians need leadership who puts Palestine above anything else (actually we all need leadership that can do that for us too). Only then will a united Palestinian representation be able to sit on the table opposite side of Israel and force some progress in the peace plan(s).

Well, yes and no.

While both want an independent state, Hamas wants it in place of Israel... Fatah at least "publically" recognizes that the only way to have independence is to recognize that Israel will be their neighbor... While Hamas may accept a Palestinian State on various borders, it would not mean an end to their campaign of terror aimed at destroying Israel, as they want their state to ultimately be in place of Israel.

The PLO Phased Plan is still in effect, and should not be forgotten:

And more on the Phased Plan: http://www.peacefaq.com/phased.html

While this is not a Hamas document/law, notice how any statement made by Hamas hinting at accepting a Palestinian State on certain borders (other than on top of Israel) NEVER INCLUDES acceptance of Israel's right to exist... and NEVER states that the proposed borders would be viewed by them (Hamas) as permenant  ... hmmm
- If someone cares to share evidence to the contrary, I'd like to see it.


Very True... There's an old saying that goes something like this... It's meaningless to negotiate peace with a Sargeant, when the General wants to fight on. ...

The "general" Hamas (as demonstrated by Fatah's inability to control them or their activities), the entity elected by the Palestinian people (Hamas) who's regularly firing Kassams and terrorizing Israel openly says it will not abide by any peace agreements agreed to between Israel and Fatah (Abbas)... Yet Abbas is "supposedly" representing the Palestinians in peace negotiations with Israel.... Does anyone else see a problem here??


That's exactly true... Unfortunately the Palestinian people don't seem ready to make this happen... When given an opportunity to express their views by electing leadership into power, they elected a terrorist organization... And now, that's what and who they have representing them.  When Israel pulled out of Gaza giving the Palestinians an opportunity to PROVE by ACTIONS their ability and willingness to live in peace, they got "Hamastan", 2500+ Kassams, etc... Lessons, and more Lessons which should not be soon forgotten.

If the Palestinian people truly want peace and are truly ready to recognize Israel's right to exist, they need to put in place leadership that represents this... Leadership willing to take the difficult steps necessary to police their people (or ask for outside assistence in doing so)... and STOP the terror, and to ultimately unite their people toward the goal of a lasting, meaningful peace recognizing that Israel is there to stay, and has every right to defend themselves against a people with a history of seeking to do them harm..... Though when I see survey results such as the survey referenced here:
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/cols/tyrrell032008.php3 ... Which tells us that of the Palestinians surveyed "64 percent approve of Hamas randomly firing rockets and mortars from Gaza into Israeli communities, and 75 percent favor ending negotiations between their leaders and the Israeli government"... it's hard to believe that affective, peace seeking leadership will emerge anytime soon.