An interim arrangement

Israel’s most prominent Arab affairs analyst, Ehud Yaari, makes his personal view of how to best manage the conflict with the Palestinians unusually clear on Channel 2’s ongoing experts panel. Talk of an agreement with the Palestinians, which has been dormant in Israel for quite some time, has been revived by the Obama visit, and the prospect of renewed talks is very much in the air.

No all-encompassing peace deal is possible at this time, and in its stead Israel should pursue an interim deal that would see Israel pull out of most of the West Bank, Yaari says.

Israel could get this move recognized by the US and the UN Security Council, he says, and it would mark the end of the occupation of the West Bank, which he calls the “monkey on our back.” A full deal would be left for a later date.