Passed on Peace

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In the midst of talks about the Israel-Palestinian conflict in school, the Annapolis Peace convention created by George Bush was taking place trying to see is there was going to be in progress in the near future between the Israel and its bitter counterpart. Ehud Olmert not surprisingly denied the United States request to set a deadline for peace. Now, initial opinion on this may make Olmert seem pompous and arrogant to deny such an amiable request with several nations attending the conference, but a second look should help identify the reason why Olmert would be wary of such a promise. First off, the government in Gaza, Hamas, is not the most trustworthy entity in the world, nor have they kept any previous promises of ceases of violent attacks. Secondly, many citizens of Israel are sick of weakness and frailty in their government, who regularly give back prisoners and land in exchange for a false sense of peace and security. But, in attempts to show that Israel does want to make progress to Abbas, leader of the Gaza lead government, Olmert issued the release of 429 prisoners. If I were in this position, I would probably make the same move, you have to be crazy to think a deadline will be kept, especially with the history of both parties involved. But I do believe that it is necessary to show the other side that you are willing to comprise (even though many attempts are made every year. Either way, I do not believe one year is a reasonable deadline because I do not think that this generation will be able to solve the conflict.