The Palestinian President Yasser Arafat requested Israel's new government to resume talks involving the Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Arafat said that they are ready to resume negotiations with the Israel's government, and immediately if necessary. .
Ever since Sharon had won a victory over Prime Minister Ehud Barak on Feb. 6, Sharon and Arafat have been undeniable enemies. Both of the leaders have seemed to put aside their difference unwillingly, in order to further negotiate talks. "Let the negotiations over the permanent status be resumed from the point it had left off," Arafat said. "This is the only efficient and logical way to reach a clear security formula and a strong basis for coming agreements." Sharon said that he would only resume talks with the Palestinians only if they stop the revolt that started after Sharon visited Jerusalem. Arafat must order his people to stop the violence in order to negotiate. .
Sharon said that once the negotiations begin he will offer the Palestinians only about 42 percent of the West Bank, in which they completely control now. But Arafat wants to resume talks where they left off, in which they would share Jerusalem and the Palestinians would get more than 95 percent of the West Bank and all of the Gaza Strip to compose a Palestinian state.
In class we have discussed the issue of the Palestines and the Israelis and the conflict between the two. This is definitely a step in the right direction in order to have peace in this troubled area. With this area having so much valuable history it is a shame seeing it being destroyed the way it is. Fighting has been a reoccurring event in this area and peace talks are in desperate need. At this point in time the talks are in the early stages, but they are in the process of working things out. It's definitely a shame to see the tragedies that are occurring but it is also good to see that they are atleast talking.