As we move into a period of what might be accelerated Arab-Israeli diplomacy, they may well be worth keeping in mind. The Arab-Israeli conflict is one of the great conflicts of this century in terms of its complexity, volatility, and sheer number of moving parts. A core conflict between Israel and a Palestinian national movement is joined to a number of inter-state conflicts between Israel and the Arabs overlaid with religious, ethnic, security, political, and demographic dimensions. Such a conflict evolved in phases over time, and it is only logical that it will be resolved in phases over time. Time is raised here not as a justification for delay, nor as an excuse for not seizing or creating opportunities.
Time is introduced here as a reality of conflict resolution.
Indeed, time will be required not only to allow each side to test the intentions of the other, but to change and transform attitudes which have taken years to harden. As the past decade has demonstrated, it is simply unrealistic to expect that such a conflict will be resolved quickly, easily, or simply without setbacks, crises, or even temporary breakdowns. What is important is that the gains made are consolidated, that trust and confidence be present to work through problems, and that each side be prepared to address one another's mutual needs and requirements. The fact that the Arab-Israeli conflict will only be resolved over time should not minimize the changes that have occurred or the dramatic progress that can be made. The past decade has witnessed the beginnings of a profound transformation in the political landscape of a conflict once believed intractable.