The Four Sticking Points

Peace will never be achieved unless Israel and the Palestinians compromise on some extremely tough issues. Johanna McGeary runs down the hard list

To jump-start peace talks and boost American credibility with Arabs, U.S. officials tell TIME that they are thinking about dangling an international offer of diplomatic recognition for Palestine. If it helps Colin Powell coax the Israelis and Palestinians back to negotiations, the dramatic gesture would be valuable. But it may not have any lasting effect on two sides so hate-soaked and at odds. When Crown Prince Abdullah of Saudi Arabia offered in February to broker Israel's peace with the Arabs in exchange for a Palestinian state, the plan was applauded as a step forward--although land-for-peace has been the bedrock premise for...

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