There is something reassuring if disconcerting about the situation in Gaza.  No matter what the possibilities or constraints, Gaza remains Gaza.  Violence out of Gaza has been a consistent phenomenon for decades, long predating Israel’s entry into that area in the Six Day War of 1967.  So it should come as no surprise that terrorist activity in Gaza continues to flourish, even after the Israeli withdrawal of 2005, Saudi peace plans, American and European aid, and Palestinian National “Unity” government agreements.

The Europeans are exited about the new Palestinian national unity government (NUG) between the secular “moderate” Fatah and the Islamist Hamas.  Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) may be president but the government is headed by Hamas leader PM Ismail Haniyah.  Hamas represents the will of the Palestinian people in the government and legislature since their landslide victory over Fatah in the Jan. 2006 elections.

Suddenly the Saudi Initiative peace proposal of March 2002 (supported by the moderate Arab states Jordan, Egypt and the Emirates) has gained new momentum and is all the rage.  The plan calls for a two state solution giving the Palestinians full sovereignty over the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem (to be its capital), a full Israeli withdrawal to the 1967 lines (incl. the Golan) and a solution to the Palestinian refugee problem as determined in UN Res. 194.  In return the Arab world is to establish full diplomatic relations with Israel and guarantee security for all peoples and states in the region, including Israel.

Last month Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) and PA Prime Minister Ismail Haniya met in Mecca at the behest of Saudi King Abdullah in an effort to establish a national unity government between Fatah and Hamas, thereby ending the civil conflict between the factions.  Everyone knew there had to be a “successful” outcome with a signed agreement or the Gaza Strip could explode into a full blown civil war.  Abdullah was not allowing anyone to leave his kingdom without a national unity arrangement.  Hence the king squeezed a supposed compromise out of the conflicting sides but issues of principle concerning peace with Israel were bypassed.  So far a Palestinian government has yet to be announced.