Negotiators should go back to basics

There is no questioning the fact that the Middle East peace process has gone completely off track and that it is time for it to be brought back on the agenda. There is neither a state of peace nor one of war. And the most dangerous situation is one where matters are neglected for a very long time, which leads eventually to a sudden spiral of violence.

There are a number of recent developments on the Palestinian-Israeli front that have further worsened the prospects for any peace talks. Some Palestinian officials have announced their plans to push for the declaration of a Palestinian state by getting the backing of the UN.

The Israelis, on the other hand, have dismissed such a step and in fact have threatened strong retaliation if the Palestinians go ahead with their announcement. In addition, a number of Israeli officials have called for the annexation of additional Palestinian lands as a counter measure.

Yet the issue at hand goes beyond what each side is demanding and threatening. There is no doubt that the Palestinian intention to declare statehood is a result of the sheer desperation stemming out of the current deadlock the peace process has been caught up in for some time now. This, of course, is a dangerous situation that could only bring about extremism from all sides.

Perhaps it is time to return to the basic requirements of any peace process — that is, carrying out negotiations between Palestinians and Israelis not based on superiority or facts on the ground but rather on dialogue, with a focus on the end result. After all, attaining a just and lasting peace could only be achieved with a viable and strong, independent Palestinian state, which addresses all the pending issues relating to peace in the region.