WWII is an outgrowth of an extreme, punitive peace settlement of a war. The attraction of Hitler was the restoration of national pride after the reparations keep Germany broke and chaotic for years and years.

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

"Nice loophole for Arafat. What does “to the best of his ability” entail? Drop the nice CP lingo and tell it has to stop, period. No “best of ability” out for anyone. Just stop. If that should involve (heaven forbid) Palestinians arresting or killing Palestinians, then so be it. No noble “best try” here. It’s all or nothing."

Completely agree. Just can't expect there won't be more incidents, just that they will be handled promptly and effectively. The incidents won't be winked at.

<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.>

"The same would have to be applied with Israel. In order to foment “equality,” such “equality” must be displayed."

That's why the observers. Recognizing the Israelis have more control over their forces than does Arafat, the Israelis don't need a "shadow" government.

<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.>

"And who said leading a nation is easy. Make it stop. Period."

Would be nice if that could be done. Arafat just doesn't have that much control. He's not a dictator. He doesn't have a lot of control over some of the Palestinian factions.

<Hopefully, terrorism would then be seen as a bad thing by the majority of Palestinians, too.>

"It already is. It’s just that the majority can find no leadership with the balls to end it."

I don't know that's true. I think the Palestinians feel toward the Israelis about the way the US feels about al-Qaedda.

One of the less mentioned items is the economic futility the Palestinians feel. Their standard of living has gone down as the Israelis have built more settlements. Not that those are related, I don't think they are. But the Palestinians are sort of like one big ghetto, one big "Project", with no real hope or investment in the future. If that could be offered I think they'd be more interested in protecting their piece of the pie.

Otherwise it would take the sort of US-Saudi and maybe some other people involvement you're talking about. An imposed solution, with perceived positive benefits for the middle of both sides, and the extremists seen as screwing over everyone, not just the bad guys.

Arf

Won't necessarily work. He doesn't exert the control over militant Palestinians the Israelis have over their army. The Palestinians fight among themselves. That may not be a reality anyone likes, and it's reality. To ignore that reality, to talk about "should" is not gonna work. There would be no need for a "shadow" government if Arafat had that control.