Supposed To Be So Different

It's not funny, exactly -- maybe just a little hat-tip to natural human optimism -- that, when the public is polled about their hopes for the Arab-Israeli peace process, the portion of people who are "optimistic" are always given top billing. Like today, when we learn that 42% of Israelis are optimistic that a settlement could be reached with PLO chief Abbas, and 31% of Palestinians think peace could be made with the current Israeli leadership. In a poll on virtually any other subject, the headline would refer to the 58% majority of Israelis, and the 69% majority of Palestinians. But I digress.

Relations between Israel and the West Bank (let's forget, for a moment, Gaza) are, for what it's worth, certainly in a unique place. When was the last time Israel and the PLO were both guided by such comically weak leaders? I suppose there is a certain opportunity in that -- since it's almost mathematically impossible for either to lose more standing, they might both try something new and radical. The problem will be convincing their respective people to go along, rather than reaching a deal on paper.

How weak is Mahmoud Abbas right now? He makes the Lebanese government look like one of those centuries-long Chinese dynasties. 41% of Palestinians support dissolving the Palestinian Authority. Overall, 26% want it replaced with an "international trusteeship" (shades of the post-WWII Middle East), and 16% want the full return of the Israeli occupation. Which, if I was a Palestinian nationalist, would be the most upsetting fact of the bunch.