Everyone seems in the giving mood on Middle Eastern peace this holiday season
■"Sharon Says Breakthrough in Relations With Palestinians Is Possible in '05: 'This is the hour, this is the time,' the prime minister said. 'This is the national test,'" by Steven Erlanger, New York Times, 17 December 2004, p. A14.■"Donors Consider Large Rise In Aid To Palestinians: Conditions Are Attached; U.S., Europe and Arabs Want Both Sides to Act to Reduce Conflict," by Steven R. Weisman, New York Times, 17 December 2004, p. A1.
Sharon is sending out as clear a signal as possible that he wants to deal, as is the moderate presidential candidate Mahmoud Abbas, as is Egyptian president Hosni Mubarek, and now the deep pocket donors are making all the right noises.
Now all that is left are the spoilers: Hamas and Hezbollah, and their backers Syria and Iran.
Of that quartet, which offers the most arm-twisting potential regarding the others? And which has the most to gain right now by backing a deal?
Hmmmm.