David Makovsky (born June 21, 1960) is the Ziegler distinguished fellow and director of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy Project on the Middle East Peace Process.[1] (wikipedia)
This is an earthquake in the Middle East. It's hard to see any negotiations now between anybody.
The public is jaded. They think that on the eve of the elections (Netanyahu) is doing things just to capture headlines.
The 60,000 settlers on the other side of the fence could become bargaining chips.
US efforts between now and March may have to be low profile, but Washington need not be dormant.
I don't see how the Israeli people are served by another house here, another house there, when the big picture is to create a partnership with the Palestinians.
If his team is not on board, how is the country going to be on board?
The main event is to leverage aid and to make sure the U.S. is not alone.
I think their basic view is, 'When you, the Palestinians, show that you're doing it, we'll get involved. If not we're not going to invest a lot of political capital.' I think that is the message.