An astonishing coincidence just occurred in the Middle East, right before the second round of post-Annapolis talks between the Israelis and Palestinians:
Ahead of a second round of talks between Israeli and Palestinian negotiating teams scheduled for Monday, Israel's Construction Ministry unveiled a $25 million budget proposal for building 740 homes in two settlements in 2008. ...
"Why is this settlement activity going on at a time when we are talking about a final (peace) deal?" asked Abbas, who is expected to meet Olmert as early as Tuesday.
This is strikingly similar to another astonishing coincidence that occurred two weeks ago, just before the first round of post-Annapolis talks:
Israeli tanks and military aircraft launched an attack in Gaza this morning, a day before peace talks were due to begin in Jerusalem.
Four militants were killed and up to 60 Palestinians arrested during the first major Israeli incursion into Gaza since Hamas seized control of the territory in June. ...
The timing of the raid has puzzled some analysts, coming just 24 hours after Ehud Olmert, the Israeli Prime Minister, had pledged to "forge a historic path" toward a final accord at tomorrow's peace talks. ...
This morning's violence coupled with Israel's announcement that 307 new homes would be built at the Har Homa settlement in the West Bank will create a tense atmosphere in Jerusalem tomorrow.
It would of course be unforgivably cynical to take these unfortunate coincidences as a reason to question Israel's sincere yearning for peace.
The Israelis ruled out a truce over the weekend, too. Shalom!
Posted by: Mark Miller | Monday, December 24, 2007 at 12:32 PM