Following its weekly meeting on Sunday (21/1/2001), Barak’s cabinet issued a statement reiterating its infamous ‘red lines’, - “Israel will not allow under any circumstances the right of return of Palestinian refugees within the territory of the state of Israel.” -“The prime minister shall not sign any document which transfers sovereignty on (Jerusalem’s) Temple Mount to the Palestinians.” -“Israel insists that in any arrangement, about 80 percent of the (Jewish) residents in Judea, Samaria (the West Bank) and Gaza shall be in settlement blocs under Israeli sovereignty.”

With such unchanged rhythm in Israeli policy, the resumption of final status talks in Taba, Egypt, does not seem to offer anything but a new look to a familiar face; the face of Israeli-imposed conditions for peace. Conditions that not only defy the very foundations of the peace process (UN Resolutions 242 and 338), but also pose unworkable solutions to a collapsing peace process.

Much anticipation awaits the 10-day marathon talks in Taba, yet a word of caution is inevitable: Don’t expect too much, unless Israel makes a real commitment to end the occupation.