Israel Always: Why All The Optimism?

Whenever the two sides meet nothing but accusations surface that both sides are not living up to their end of the peace agreement.

By EARL COX
earl cox (photo credit: )
earl cox
(photo credit: )
There's a great deal of optimism floating in the air around Israel these days. It seems whenever there is talk about an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement and a future Palestinian state all seem to conclude with the belief that such long sought solutions will be reached by the end of this year. Where does such "optimism" come from? Even a U.S. newspaper reported recently that Bush "is optimistic that Israel and the Palestinians will sign an agreement defining a Palestinian state before the end of his term in office." Whenever Israeli leaders meet with Abbas, it seems their dialogues often deteriorate into accusations that each side has not been living up to the terms of the U.S.-backed Roadmap Peace Plan which is supposed to be the basis for their negotiations. Following each meeting, press reports indicate that there was no evident progress yet the two sides generally issue optimistic statements that they believe, for whatever reasons, a final agreement may be reached by the end of this year. Is there any optimism to be found in favor of a peace agreement or for a Palestinian state using this process? Past performances say no. Generally speaking, Arabs never fulfill their promises. When former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon handed over a Jew-free Gaza territory to the Arabs, it did not result in appreciation, peace or contentment. In fact, terrorist acts escalated as the Arabs in Gaza continued their cowardly terrorism unabated. Palestinian leadership has failed to establish a functional government structure or provide basic infrastructure services, public safety, adequate healthcare or social services (to name only a few of the PA's shortcomings) to their people yet somehow the Palestinians have managed to continue to blame Israel for all their social, political and economic deficits and the media continually buys into their lies. So, I ask again, where is the optimism? What we need is some straight talk, unbiased analysis and honest, factual reporting by the mainstream media. Earl Cox, International Christian Broadcaster, known as 'the voice of Israel to the world.' He is also the founder of Israel Always Previous entries: Experience or Orator? Israel once again blamed for "Grim Conditions" in Gaza Understanding the Islamic mindset What if there were no Israel? The Land is shared in death, why not in life as well? Some Christians Still Hate Israel Palestinians. The Next Generation Who Founded Israel the U.N. or God? Didn't they used to hang traitors? Who would be the best US President for Israel? How will God handle the present-day Persian Haman? Faith or Consequences Is oil more important than Israel? Fighting Fair - What the Media Doesn't Tell You Israel rejects US report on Iran Has God abandoned Israel? Did someone say 'peace'? No Palestinian State Alternate reality Relations between Israel's Jews and Christians improving Do the Palestinians deserve their own state