DOHA, Qatar -- Despite the positive spin that optimistic politicians put on current developments in the Arab-Israeli conflict, a crashing storm threatens the shores of the Mediterranean. Such a prediction can easily be read over the events surrounding the Middle East peace process in the last month alone.
On Aug. 6 Palestinian factions concluded a meeting with Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas in Gaza. Although described as "positive" by various Palestinian media, the meeting was crammed with grievances held by Hamas, the Islamic Jihad and others. These groups agreed to a three-month "hudna" or ceasefire, starting June 29, as requested by Abbas, on the condition that Israel would cease violent activities in the occupied territories.
The hudna is not over yet, but a list of reported Israeli violations of the ceasefire, presented to Abbas was too long to ignore, including assassinations, land confiscation, arrests and incitement.