The Failure of Annapolis

"Despite the best efforts by the Bush administration of putting a positive spin on the recently completed summit in Annapolis to restart the "Performance-Based Road Map to Peace," there is little reason to expect that it will actually move the Israeli-Palestinian peace process forward as long as the United States insists on simultaneously playing the role of chief mediator and chief supporter of the more powerful of the two parties."

The Anti-Iran Annapolis Conference

"At the Annapolis Middle Eastern peace conference much more went on behind the scenes than took place before the cameras. The prearranged commitment of the Palestinians and Israelis to talk again was little enough gain from the one-day meeting, particularly as the agreement did not explicitly address any of the substantive issues that continue to divide the two sides. One Palestinian described the concluding remarks as "more of the same," with the United States essentially adhering to a status quo defined by Israel."

US withdraws Mideast resolution at UN (at Israel's request)

"In an about face, the United States on Friday withdrew a U.N. resolution endorsing this week's agreement by Israeli and Palestinian leaders to try to reach a Mideast peace settlement by the end of 2008, apparently after Israel objected."

Less than a week after the conference the back-tracking begins. Which proves that Israel really doesn't want peace.

Annapolis Meant Little for Dying Gazans Being Denied Medical Care by Israel

Palestinian cancer patient Laila Elewah taking part in a protest as she is not being allowed to get into an Israeli hospital for medication. - Image Credit: Mohammed Omer

Residents in Gaza in need of medical care are facing a "severe crisis" with forty-four Palestinan deaths due to Israeli border closures and denial of medical care since July. With Gaza all but ignored during Annapolis, only rights groups are making a dent in letting the world know what is going on in the open air prison known as the Gaza Strip.

Initial Thoughts on Annapolis

"When listening to the speech of President Bush versus that of both Olmert and Abbas, one cannot help but be struck by how jarring, divisive and dangerous Bush continues to be, with his Star-Wars-esque narrative of good versus evil -"

Who's in favor of ending Israeli terrorism?

"Such distinctions may give cause for a giggle, but the declaration contains two elements that will serve the Israeli right wing in attacks it is expected to make on the prime minister. The first is the comparison the declaration makes between "terrorism and incitement, whether committed by Palestinians or Israelis." Translation: Olmert agreed that Israel too is responsible for terrorism and incitement against the Palestinians, and that America will decide in every case who is inciting and who is a terrorist."

Israeli "right-wingers" denounce Olmert as "sell-out"

"The Likud right-wing opposition has denounced Ehud Olmert for selling out Israel's interests without receiving anything in return from the Palestinians."

Is Annapolis Hopeless?

"There's little reason to hope for a breakthrough at the Middle East peace summit in Annapolis, unless there is a fundamental shift in U.S. policy in addressing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. And there's little evidence to suggest such a change is forthcoming."

Israel, Palestinians OK negotiating plan

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas (L) shakes hands with Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert at the Israel-Palestinian Peace Conference at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, November 27, 2007. REUTERS/Larry Downing (UNITED STATES)

""We express our determination to bring an end to bloodshed, suffering and decades of conflict between our peoples; to usher in a new era of peace, based on freedom, security, justice, dignity, respect and mutual recognition; to propagate a culture of peace and nonviolence; to confront terrorism and incitement, whether committed by Palestinians or Israelis.""

Apartheid in Israel Palestine: Viability in Annapolis?

""In the end, the Palestinians may get 80-90% of the West Bank, but they do not get a viable state. They will have sterile swatches of territory whereas Israel retains control of the borders, movement of people and goods both within the Palestinian state and between it and the countries around, much of the country's arable land, almost all its water, the Palestinians' airspace and even control of their communications. The Palestinian state is deprived of a viable economy. Given that 60% of Palestinians are under the age of 18 and that mini-state must absorb hundreds of thousands of refugees, its prospects for being a viable, stable and truly independent state are nil given the unspoken parameters outlined in the Bush letter."

People who hate the very idea of peace

"You know them. The people who come out every time there's any chance of anything resembling a move toward peace between Israel and the Palestinians. You know their simmering rage, their triumphant condescension, their propensity to call anyone who opposes them, at best, a wishful thinker, at worst, a dangerous traitor."

Bush - Groupie of Israel

"Unlike President Carter, a devout Christian from the South who was not a supporter of Israel, and who applied atomic pressure on Begin to give up all of Sinai and its settlements and made him sign a document recognizing the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, President Bush is a fan - even a groupie - of Israel."

Jewish, Christian leaders to U.S.: No compromise on Jerusalem

"Representatives from Orthodox Jewish organizations and Christian organizations met with President Bush's National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley along with other senior White House officials Monday, and raised concerns regarding the diplomatic meetings in Annapolis."

A footnote in history

"Bush's beliefs are steadfast, and they reflect little understanding of Palestinian realities: On the one hand, Bush seeks mileage out of the false claim that he is the first US president to call for the creation of a Palestinian state, and he emphasises his plans to "lay the foundation" for the said state."

West Bank wall divides neighbours

"As international politicians prepare for a summit in Annapolis aimed at restarting the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, ordinary people in Israel and the Palestinian territories remain as divided as ever."

Q&A: Annapolis

"Representatives from nearly 50 nations and international groups will also be present, but expectations of the conference are low."

Short on peace, long on process

"Judging from its high attendance and low expectations, Annapolis is more likely to help three sitting ducks, Olmert, Abbas and Bush, than advance the cause of peace in the Middle East."

Arabs doubt prospects for peace parley

Protestor Helene Storch demonstrates at a gate to the U.S. Naval Academy prior to the Israeli-Palestinian peace conference in Annapolis, Maryland, November 26, 2007. REUTERS/Jim Young (UNITED STATES)

"Despite deep doubts back home about what they can accomplish, senior Arab officials from countries like Saudi Arabia and Syria agreed to sit down here with Israel to show their commitment to an Arab peace initiative, shore up the Palestinians and, in some cases, simply because they felt they could not say no."