Showdown at the Palestinian Authority. Yassar Arafat has picked a fight, and this time it’s not with Ariel Sharon. He’s now in a standoff with his new Prime Minister, Mahmoud Abbas over who will serve in a new Palestinian cabinet.
By midnight tonight, the two are supposed to sort out their differences. But right now, things don’t look promising. Three days ago, Abbas stormed out of a meeting with Arafat, and the two haven’t spoken since. Caught in the middle are the Palestinian people.
As Israel continues to demolish the homes of suspected militants, and launch military incursions into the West Bank and Gaza, the Palestinians are hanging their hopes on a U.S.-backed plan to peace that calls for the resumption of negotiations.
Guests:
Khalil Shikaki, director of the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research in Ramallah
Edward (Ned) Walker, president of the Middle East Institute
James Bennet, New York Times Middle East Correspondent.