Palestinian 'Moderates' Ensure Extremism

“Rice Wins Concessions from Israel,” read the Washington Post headline after Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice’s recent visit. Rice herself told reporters her goal was to further Israel-Palestinian Authority (PA) talks by getting Israeli concessions to “improve the quality of life” for Palestinians. She listed ten different Israeli concessions including: removing 50 roadblocks, easing checkpoint procedures, increasing travel and work permits, backing economic projects, letting 700 U.S.-trained PA security men deploy, and giving the PA armored vehicles and night-vision goggles. Rice claimed success, saying talks are now "moving in the right direction."

Are they? Will these concessions make the PA more stable or moderate? No. One wonders if we’ll ever see the headline: “Rice Wins Concessions from Palestinians.” I doubt it...

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