"Now, instead of "crying-out-loud" and bantering philosophies, what's your solution?"

That's a fair question, and let me see if I can provide the bare bones of an answer.

Seems to me there will have to be three parts to any effective resolution. First, a process, and second, the majority of each side has to trust that process. Third, the majority of each side has to see peace brings them more benefit that continuing conflict. The middle majority has to be motivated., and the extremes on each side neutralized. The extremes have to be viewed as acting against the interests of the majority of their own people.

Right now the Israelis don't give a rip, they are building their settlements. The Palestinians don't care, "peace" didn't stop the settlements, or bring them any economic gain. The extremes are controlling each party. The religious Israelis are operating on the basis of "God's Deed", and the extreme Palestinians have operational control over the suicide bombers, and before them the other terrorists with the at least tacit approval of the political leadership.

The majority of both sides are going along with their extremes, at least partly because they have no other effective options.

I think the US could broker a deal, but doesn't have the political guts. Here's what it might take.

First, the US having a "come to Jesus" talk with the Jewish Sharon. Irony. No more settlements, period. Tell him what the resolution is going to look like, very close to the Tenet plan, and the Israelis are going to cease and desist all military actions. NOW. Or else. We will continue to guarantee their existence, but no more aid, no spare parts, no nothing we can control.

In order to promote Palestinian trust in the process, put neutral observers in at the tension points where they can see if there is Israeli military action.

While that's going on, a similar "altar call" for Arafat, as the leader of the Palestinians. Face it, he is, and the effect of outsiders trying to change that is what it would be here, just strengthens the resolve of the Palestinians.

Tell him what the resolution will look like, and to stop, to the best of his ability, all terrorist or para-military actions. NOW.

In order to promote Israeli trust in the process, attach a "shadow" government to Arafat who reports on the processes going on within the Palestinian political structure such as that is.

Now, recognizing that the Palestinians don't have the control over their radical factions the Israelis have over their army, there are bound to be more terrorist actions.

The key is how the Palestinians respond to this. The Palestinians must be seen that it is in their best interests these do not occur, and if they do they are crimes against the Palestinians as well as the Israelis, and treated accordingly. Anyone sponsoring terrorism would be captured and tried. Period. If not, the process is over.

What is jeopardized for the Palestinians would be the so far unmentioned "carrot". A part of the peace settlement would be economic aid in the form of developing schools and jobs within Palestine so as to give the majority a reasonable hope of an improving economic situation, something they don't have now. Continuing terrorist actions without porompt and effective action by the Palestinians against the perpetrators would end the economic aid, and restore the Israeli military occupation. Hopefully, terrorism would then be seen as a bad thing by the majority of Palestinians, too.

And then both sides need to see that any further provocation by either side is an act of war against the vast majority of both peoples. The individuals are to be punished, not either people. Frankly, at this point, you hope for a minor, non-lethal terrorist action so the Palestinians can take prompt and effective action against it. Would build trust.

Not perfect, and the US doesn't have the will, but it is a plan which would move the majority of Israelis and Palestinians into wanting peace, something which isn't happening now. And, the US doesn't have the guts, has come down too far on the side of the Israelis for the Palestinians to trust us. Might have to have the Saudis and Syrians in on the deal.

Arf