[Washington Institute for Near East Policy] David Makovsky - The terms of the Palestinian unity government end much of the residual ambiguity lingering in the wake of the Mecca accord. Those who withheld judgment amid hope that the status quo would improve are - like the Quartet members themselves - disappointed. On balance, it is difficult to view the new government as anything but a major step backward on the road to coexistence. By avoiding references to mutual recognition, the government's platform marks the increasingly Islamist tone of Palestinian politics. Expectations that Rice's trip to the Middle East would produce dramatic progress looked slim before the Palestinian unity government was formed. Given the stated platform of that government, the chances of a breakthrough at this time are virtually nil.
2007-03-23 01:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive