The leading scenario for a spreading of the conflict involves the possibility that Israel and Syria might come to blows. In a sense, we saw a warning sign a couple of days ago, when Israel struck a Syrian radar post in Lebanon in retaliation for attacks on its soldiers patrolling the Israeli-Lebanese border. For true peace, there will need to be compromises, sacrifice and mutual respect. Israeli Prime Minister Sharon is spending most of his time, it seems, using force to try to achieve security. Palestinian leader Arafat is too busy trying to lobby the international community to intervene in the conflict.
Many analysts here think something big has to happen to break the current deadlock.
Unfortunately, one scenario could be a really deadly explosion of violence. But another could be a useful intervention by outside parties. The Egyptians and the Jordanians are trying to do that now. So I don't see why the government would seek to bring that about. Leaving aside the question of the settlements, the Israeli mindset is not much concerned with expansion.