Secrets in the Desert: The Necessity of Secret Talks in the Peace Process - Page 2

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Jan 24, 1997

In the current round of talks, Netenyahu and Arafat met face to face secretly in order to bridge the gaps in attaining an Israeli withdrawal from Hebron and other West Bank areas. It was conducted secretly because of the rash of terrorist actions seeking to derail the peace process. Netenyahu and Arafat also needed to meet face to face because of the need to improve their working relationship which has been strained at best. Continued meetings between Arafat and Netenyahu may probably break the current impasse and lead to the Israeli withdrawals as specified under the Oslo Accords.

As I went to write this, it was reported that they had reached an agreement on the withdrawal from Hebron and after reading a copy of the new agreement, I find myself wondering what was accomplished because it is almost identical to the previous Hebron agreement although it specifies a slower pace to withdrawal. This is in line with Netenyahu's pledge to slow the peace process but also is Netenyahu's realization that the peace process must continue.

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