As the pace of the Syrian-Israeli track picks up in Virginia, U.S.A., the region is somewhat drawn into an atmosphere of optimism for peace and stability. However, as far as the Palestinians are concerned, such feelings are equally accompanied by fear of being “marginalized.” Thus, the sudden acceleration of peace efforts between Syria and Israel calls for a word of caution.

Although progress in the Palestinian-Israeli track is not being achieved without difficulty, peace initiatives on the Syrian-Israeli level should not be carried out at the expense of the Palestinians, in fact, any contemplation in this direction will be detrimental to the achievement of regional peace and stability altogether.

Israel must tackle the heart of the conflict and the issues comprising the final status talks with the Palestinians, namely, Palestinian boundaries, Israeli settlements on Palestinian land, water rights between Israel and Palestine, Palestinian relations with neighboring countries, and Palestinian refugees!

Although the reaching of agreement between Israel and “all” its neighbors is sure to guarantee its familiar rhetoric of security, the fact remains that the only entity to “grant” the (occupying) Israeli nation its legitimacy as an equal Middle Eastern partner is the (occupied) Palestinian nation.