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With Hebron deal signed, parties strive to sustain momentum
January 14, 1997
Web posted at: 8:00 p.m. EST (0100 GMT)(CNN) -- The signing of an accord on Hebron is a long-awaited milestone in the Middle East, but it remains unclear whether it will lead to further progress toward peace in the volatile region.
There are optimists who envision the Hebron agreement as a breakthrough. "I continue to have confidence that the parties in the Middle East, having seen some of the benefits of peace and having glimpsed a different kind of future, will not abandon that, but will remain, with all of its difficulties, on the road to peace," said U.S. Secretary of State Warren Christopher.
A L S O :
Netanyahu's shifts have left some questioning his leadership
But there are others who predict a less optimistic scenario. For instance, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may overcompensate his right wing supporters in Israel for the Hebron deal.
In that event, Israel would expand West Bank settlements that many Palestinians consider hostile, killing positive momentum from the Hebron agreement.
Talks between the Israelis and Palestinians have been stagnant, and tensions have escalated since the assassination 14 months ago of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin.
That was followed by a series of terrorist bombings inside Israel and then a deadly exchange of fire across Israel's border with Lebanon.
The change in governments in Israel -- with Netanyahu winning control -- further complicated the equation for Middle East peace agreements.
Distrust between Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat remains, despite U.S. President Bill Clinton's attempts to bridge the gap between the two sides.
But many expect that the new Hebron agreement -- limited as it is -- crosses the psychological barrier of mistrust.
"It means that Netanyahu is pragmatic enough to admit realities and this is something which creates certain hope," said Ehud Barak.
The agreement includes what diplomats call a "road-map" for more negotiations among Israelis and Palestinians. Insiders tell CNN that Netanyahu's willingness to pull Israeli troops out of even a portion of the West Bank could make an important impression in other Arab capitals.
"The peace process is not just one small discussion between parties. It's much broader than that," Christopher said.
In North Africa and the Persian Gulf, where leaders had frozen their gradual warming moves toward Israel, the Hebron deal could begin a new thaw.
The U.S. hopes important talks with Syria will resume in February or March. Plenty of obstacles to a deal on the Golan Heights remain, but there is optimism on this front as well. Syrian, Israeli and U.S. diplomats all say they made progress toward an agreement within the past year.
World Affairs Correspondent Ralph Begleiter contributed to this report
Special section:
CNN Interactive's extended coverageRelated stories:
- Second arrest made in Hebron market shooting - January 2, 1997
- Israelis: Netanyahu-Arafat meeting 'very likely' - January 2, 1997
- Hebron shooting doesn't deter peace talks - January 1, 1997
- Hebron talks resume after shooting attack - January 1, 1997
- Leaders may meet Wednesday on Hebron deal - January 1, 1997
- Hebron deal close but leaders unlikely to meet Tuesday - December 31, 1996
- Hebron talks continue despite shrine security snag - December 29, 1996
- U.S. mediator sees Hebron deal on near horizon - December 25, 1996
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