Thanks for shredding Dennis Ross’ piece! I posted that reference in a neutral way to see what informed readers found in it. I’m not a fan of Ross – I associate him with the Oslo blunder.

I think his point on ambiguities is to push for an agreement on responses to violations of the ceasefire – before the s… hits the fan. That means another push on the Israelis to box themselves in.

Unless one anticipates that the Israeli side will be violating the ceasefire…

As for getting Arab leaders to endorse Abbas’ commitment to end the violence

That’s a Ross point that makes sense to me – wouldn’t it change the game significantly if the Arab League came down clearly that further attacks on Israel are tactically stupid? Will the Arab leaders actually do it?

I see a repeat of the old Arafat shuffle

Until now the cynic owned the best table odds. In the past month Abbas has shown some guts – I wish him success.

Ross aside – we’ve seen more hopeful actions by Abbas than anything I can remember before. I think the progress in Iraq strengthens his case to the voters – do you?

Cheers, Steve D.

I have a labor intensive project for them: dig all foundations for new buildings with tea spoons.

Lean hard on the EU – yeah that will work.

As for getting Arab leaders to endorse Abbas’ commitment to end the violence. How about getting them to endorse efforts. When there are some. I see a repeat of the old Arafat shuffle. i.e. “I’m trying very hard but I can’t control the bombers.” Right.

What does it mean to make the Gaza withdrawal work? Isn’t that up to the Palis? Israel leaves them to their own devices (which is what they claim they want) and then what? Peace for our time? Right.