Ok based on the following events I think there is real progress going on regarding Israel / Palestine.
1) The Israeli PM agreeing to an independent monitoring of the excavations on the ramp to Temple Rock / Dome of the rock by the Turkish state (an Islamist government operating within a secular democratic constitution) following his visit to Ankara. This to augment a live feed internet broadcast of the works being done there and overnight to prevent allegations of desecration / artefact stealing that have dogged the Western world dealings with antiquity elsewheere(remember the Elgin Marbles row...) It means that the states of the world and anyone who might want to do something because of last Fridays events is dissuaded by the simple facts of reason and truth on the ground. The Israeli archaeological board has nothing to hide, nor does the Israeli state.
2) The agreement between Hamas and Fatah progresses due to the resignation of the Hamas PM and the successive act by PLA President Abbas inviting him to form a national unity govt (as reported on BBC Online). The sticking issue is security and that can be resolved by integrating all PLA forces and preventing them being factional. If I can use a metaphor it would be like two Police forces in the Uk going to turf war with one another if they had the same juristiction area, save if there was grounds for an undercover investigation of their incompetence (as we have an independent complaints authority with dealing with the police). Doesn't happen here so why should it there? (slightly oversimplified but given that the UK has a couple of National Police forces with specific remits such as Transport and Immigration though they are probably being integrated into one National border force)
3) The visit of President Putin to the region. Jordans King is right to note that there is an international window of opportunity for a peace conference. The view that both Bush and Putin are end term presidents after their place in history if one is purely cynical. However I believe that there is far more to it than that. We're not in the last days as a species (unless someone has access to secret prophecies and acts on them) but I think the people of this planet and esp in the West have had enough of religious motivated violence and the resulting carnage that is created.
4)Russia and USAs discussions over missile shields in Europe. An agreement there could actually bring more pressure onto Iran through diplomatic channels esp if Russia joins or links up with NATO.
5) The ongoing issues of climate change and water supply and housing needs for the Palestians being all linked into a final settlement.
6) The idea of a tri city area of Bethlehem, Jerusalem and Ramallah I outlined in my immediate reaction to last Friday. Will post a better idea later on, ie one that thinks through the border and composition of such a body.
