The Annapolis conference in November 2007, hosted by US President George W. Bush, gave many some hope that a just solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is within the realm of possibility. However, the scene since then has changed for the worse. The US is busy with a presidential election; Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is battling for his survival.

As for Palestinians, Hamas is trying to consolidate its authority over Gaza. In the West Bank, tremendously weakened by Hamas’ coup in Gaza, President Mahmoud Abbas is trying his best to keep the peace process on track. His efforts, however, are facing immense difficulties. Israel’s nonstop raids on the West Bank and Gaza are shedding much Palestinian blood, the siege and the checkpoints are rendering any economic recovery meaningless, the Palestinian government is unable to meet its economic and financial obligations toward its people, government employees are restless and threatening strikes.

The absence of any tangible indication from the presumably ongoing peace talks, coupled with the Israeli escalation of its bloody military operations and settlement activities, particularly in and around Arab East Jerusalem, are pushing many to lose hope, and increasing their hate and anger. The Quartet envoy in charge of reconstructing the Palestinian economy and rebuilding institutions, Tony Blair, is learning the hard fact which is known to every Palestinian man, woman and child, that without removing the road blocks and the siege and ending the Israeli occupation, the Palestinian economy will not get off the ground. The financial assistance promised at the Paris conference to the PNA is not forthcoming. According to Palestinian deputy minister of finance, more than 90 percent of the promised aid for the 2008 fiscal year has not arrived.

Despite his serious and sincere efforts to achieve a peace accord with Israel, President Abbas is continuously ridiculed by the Israeli media and politicians. The Israeli government is not reciprocating. Not one single settlement or so-called settlement outpost has been removed, the siege on Arab East Jerusalem is tightened, and the Judizing of Arab Jerusalem is continuing at full speed. Israel’s actions are enforcing the widely held Palestinian and Arab belief that it is not interested in peace, and its only concern is the gradual swallowing of Palestinian land and solidifying its illegal occupation of Arab Jerusalem. The momentum for peacemaking, which began in earnest after Annapolis, is all but evaporated. Subsequently, President Abbas’ repeated statements on the possibilities of achieving peace with Israel, regaining control over Gaza and its crossings ring hollow to Palestinian ears. Unfortunately his credibility amongst his people appears to be diminishing.

Once again, the Palestinian and Arab people are duped by the West. Despite promises to the Palestinians, the West continues unquestionable support for Israel, its occupation and expansionist policies.

To ask the West to flex some muscle and pressure Israel to end its occupation of Palestinian land and to return to pre-1967 borders is answered by the West as being unrealistic. The peace process is going nowhere, despite the rhetoric to the contrary. The fact that the US and the EU are not lifting a finger to change the reality on the ground testifies to their acquiescence in the status quos. The Palestinians and Arabs are advised to search for a new strategy, a strategy that still has peacemaking and achieving just peace as a goal. For this purpose, they need to use the vital tools and assets available to them, and make better and more efficient use of them.

The Arabs must learn more about the politics of world economy and invest this learning to the benefit of their vital interests. If the Arabs choose to, they can assert themselves more forcefully. They have the ability, the geography, the management and skills, the economic and political power to make the Western world listen, and listen attentively.

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