Following several former steps made by the new American Administration, The U.S is acting in the Middle East in a different policy trying to change the current situation. Sen. John Kerry visited Gaza, and then went to meet Syrian President Assad. The Palestinians are about to start new talks about forming a unity government and ending the division between them. Iranian-American talks are still not clear but seem to be active behind the scenes.

                The obvious change in the American policy is about ways of communication with those who former American president, George Bush, considered terrorists and did not talk with. President Obama, Mitchell, and other American officials are trying to for a new strategy in dealing with the Middle East conflicts. Their challenge is about how to break through the Iranian alliance and try to negotiate with each part of it separately. This new strategy began since the U.S government according to PA officials agreed on forming a Palestinian Unity Government in order to end the Palestinian division and try to reach stability.

                From the other side, the American attitude towards Syria has changed; President Obama is working on removing all the economical sanctions which were applied on Syria because of its relations with Iran and Hezballah. The Syrians may play an important role in changing the situation through their relations with the Lebanese and Hamas. Sen. Kerry stated that he will ask from President Assad to invest in changing the situation by creating a kind of pressure on Hezballah and other elements in the region. However, Kerry’s visit to Gaza signifies a real change in the American policy. Although he did not meet with any official from Hamas, the latter considered this move a great step towards a better understanding between Hamas and the U.S.

                In a former post “The Price of Political Stubbornness”, I wrote about the importance of communication between the sides of conflict in order to reach a solution. This conflict is not about kidnapping a school bus or a terrorism action; it is about a sixty years of conflict over land. Therefore, direct and indirect communication between all the sides of this conflict may help in changing the situation.

                Although the U.S policy change seems to be inspiring, the future Israeli government seem to be not really enthusiastic to start serious negotiations about a two states solution; Kadema part does not seem to join the Future Benyamin Netanyahu government , and prefers to bet on its fall in a year. Netanyahu will have to go towards forming a right pure government which will make it impossible for any kinds of peace talks on the basis of land for peace. Mitchell, stated a few days ago that economical development is important and needed in the West Bank, but it must be made side by side with negotiations about a two states solution. This shows the American difference in dealing with the situation.

                Netanyahu is smart enough to mind any kind of declared refusal for talks with the Palestinians. However, he has to be cautious regarding his statements because he is in the middle between the Right Israeli party’s demands, and the U.S policy pressure. Bibi will try to use time for his benefit; he will direct the conflict but will not work to end it by making compromises. According to Netanyahu, his main challenge is in dealing with the Iranian threat; he won’t agree on a long time talks between the U.S and Iran. He would prefer to hit Iran, rather than waiting for results which may come out of diplomatic efforts.

Ziad Khalil Abu Zayyad

A Palestinian-Arab living in East Jerusalem, Ziad graduated from College Des Freres in Jerusalem in 2003. Ziad finished his major in International Relations and English Literature from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Ziad is a former President of the Watan student movement at the university. He is interested in Middle Eastern political issues and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Founder of the Middle East Post and MEL (Middle East Future Leadership Network), he represents Palestinian youth at several international conferences.

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