Let wither the bitter fruits of sanctimony

How refreshing to begin with a more reasonable timeline. And two partners that look to be genuinely committed to peace.

Israelis, Palestinians Agree to Second Round of Talks

"In an early sign of promise, Israeli and Palestinian leaders pledged Thursday in a cordial first round of talks to keep meeting at regular intervals, aiming to nail down a framework for overcoming deep disputes and achieving lasting peace within a year."

The genuine commitment is what will either make or break this and every round.

The bottom line in this process has always been:

Either Palestinians and Israelis want peace and are more committed to ending senseless deaths than leveraging for concessions or not.

Sadly, for all the lives lost, this is the only thing that ever mattered anyway. And the only thing most future Palestinians and Israelis will ever really remember.

How tragic all those who have died in the name of that pride. How sad that so many in the West and the Middle East have contributed to those deaths by supporting the leveraging.

How hopeful that we may, perhaps, finally let wither the bitter fruits of that sanctimony.