Nearing a Solution: The Nusseibeh-Ayalon Agreement and Peace in the Middle East (English Edition)

The failure of the Oslo Peace Accords reveals the necessity of a final agreement approach in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Rather than a process where each side makes tit-for-tat moves in an effort to establish trust prior to final status talks, a resolution of the conflict must come from an end game agreement in order to preempt diplomatic posturing in an effort to gain leverage, as well as attempts by radicals to forestall progress. With the major issues resolved, both sides can then delegate responsibility to various working teams responsible for implementing the agreement. Keeping this framework in mind, the solution proposed in the Nusseibeh-Ayalon Agreement represents a beneficial step in bringing an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. A positive of this approach is that it involves direct negotiation between the two parties. However, the vagueness of the document provides room for disagreement and the potential for further hostility. Still, the agreement represents a step forward in addressing the most divisive issues -- borders, Jerusalem, refugees, contiguity, and settlements.