Prime Minister Netanyahu has a world view, as many leaders do, that they can continue to dominate by force. His predecessors, Rabin and Peres had adopted the view that Israel's best hope for peace and security is to have a stable Palestinian neighbor. Arafat decided that the best chance for a Palestinian state in his lifetime was to accept the existence of Israel. Yet, after decades and centuries of mistrust and worse, confidence building is slow, at best. Leaders signed the agreement, but the populace must implement it.
Attitudinal change is slow.
Hope is scarce, yet it exists among those who have accepted the coexistence scenario. Just convening workshops and dialogue groups is an act of conviction. When violence and closures disrupt the process, the participants themselves insist upon attending planned seminars, although the logistics are very difficult for all participants and facilitators. Palestinians want action. They want to improve their lives.