An agreement that's worthless

Once again, the US official stance on the Palestinian-Israeli issue proves to be biased and tilted to favour only one of the parties involved. George W. Bush recently praised Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's plan for a unilateral redrawing of the West Bank borders. The plan is "an important step toward the peace we both support," he said.

In fact, one can only wonder whether the peace both Bush and Olmert are referring to involves any other party besides the Israelis. The most obvious and crucial partner the Palestinians has yet to be included in the negotiations, as they have been dismissed outright from the entire process. Is it not but apparent to question the implications of Israel's unilateral steps?

The whole peace process is being seriously hampered. While some colonies may be removed, others will be extended and expanded with a possible border drawn by 2010, according to Olmert. Sober discussions over the peace process can be achieved only when both the Israelis and the Palestinians are seated as equal partners at the negotiating table. A peace process that involves only those who are in power and not necessarily those with rights is more of a negotiation between the deaf.