In the midst of all this, it was difficult for observers in Israel and the Arab world to invest much hope or optimism in the resuscitated Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
For many Israelis, it wasn’t just the volatile regional situation that fostered a spirit of skepticism but the PA’s pre-negotiation stance as well.
In an opinion piece in Monday’s Israel Hayom newspaper, Likud MK and Deputy Transportation Minister Tzipi Hotovely, echoing the feelings of many Israelis, wrote:
“The Palestinians have offered no earnest fees ahead of these negotiations. They have not declared any willingness to recognize Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state, which was the condition Netanyahu set in his 2009 Bar-Ilan speech. Netanyahu will not offer the Palestinians more than his predecessors, Ehud Olmert and Ehud Barak, so it is just a matter of time before these peace talks deadlock as well.”