With clenched teeth
Israelis, Palestinians likely to back compromise, even if they won't do so happily
The division between Gaza under Hamas rule and the West Bank under the moderate camp presents a historic opportunity to achieve peace between Israel and Mahmoud Abbas' cabinet.
The Olmert and Abbas cabinets alike accept the principle of two states for two people, the notion of land for peace, and the approach that advocates ending the Israeli occupation.
There are still many disputed matters but none that create an abyss between the two sides. Intense negotiations are likely to bridge the differences and lead to a draft agreement.
And what about Gaza that has fallen in the hands of Hamas, that same Gaza influenced by Iran and inspired by Hizbullah?
There is room for hope that when a comprehensive Israeli-Palestinian agreement is reached, when an independent Palestinian state is established in the West Bank, and when the yoke of the Israeli occupation is lifted over the West Bank, a people's movement would be established in Gaza and rise up against Hamas' tyrannical and religious fanatic rule.
The Gazan masses would be unable to ignore the historic achievement reached by the residents of the West Bank and will embark on a struggle to rid themselves of the Hamas burden around their necks and join the Palestinian state.
Both the Olmert and Abbas cabinets are currently showing positive signs of exchange. Israel has carried out a series of goodwill gestures: The release of Palestinian prisoners, consent to equip Abbas' forces with innovative weapons, and an agreement on suspending the manhunt for wanted figures and providing additional relief.
The Palestinians, on their part, are making sincere efforts to control the anarchy prevalent in the West Bank, collect arms from gunmen, and prevent attacks on Israelis.
The Palestinian cabinet's manifesto has finally dropped the clause calling for an armed struggle and in its stead an agreement to be achieved through negotiations with Israel is being discussed.
Are Olmert, Abbas strong enough?
Instead of a demand for the "Right of Return," which means the destruction of Israel, the Palestinians have added a clause entitled "a just and agreed solution to the refugee problem" in their manifesto.
Prime Minister Olmert's important speech at Sharm el-Sheikh, in which for the first time he expressed understanding and even empathy to the suffering of Palestinian refugees, attests to the fact that Israel is also interested in achieving a "just and agreed" solution to the Palestinian problem.
Israeli gestures may ultimately prove to be nothing more than a few crumbs thrown out to the poor if they are not followed by vigorous talks seeking a solution to the remaining disputed problems, and aiming to establish a Palestinian state in the West Bank.
The next move, therefore, must be to immediately engage in talks between Israel and the Abbas cabinet on the "core issues" of the conflict: Jerusalem, permanent borders, the future of the settlements, the 1948 refugees and the holy sites.
All these topics already have potential solutions: The Clinton formula. The Taba formula. The Geneva formula.
Are the Olmert and Abbas governments strong enough to convince their people to accept an agreement in which both sides would have to make painful concessions?
The leaders can expect good news: If the two do indeed find the courage and reach a draft agreement, and if this draft is brought to a referendum in Israel and in Palestine, it will become apparent to all that the two peoples are ready for a compromise solution.
Would the Israelis and Palestinians be happy with the agreement? Would they dance in the streets when it is finally secured? Probably not. However - and this is the good news emerging from the harsh reality - both people already know what the bottom line is. And they are set to adopt it via a referendum – even if with clenched teeth.
