Both sides, and the U.S. mediators, have adopted an active policy of doing nothing. Maybe they think that the peace process will benefit from a policy of benign neglect - like the policy Richard Nixon advocated for dealing with poverty. Another deadline for redeployment has passed, and despite the flicker of optimism by Yasser Arafat and by the Israeli government, nothing has happened. It is becoming obvious that neither side has made progress in the peace negotiations a top priority. They will only do so if the Israeli and Palestinian people force them to do so. Meanwhile, the dickering about percentages and nature preserves and reciprocity goes on. Each side somehow thinks that time is on their side. The Israelis are counting on ‘facts on the ground’ created by settlements. The Palestinians are counting on support of the Arab world. It is hard to understand these so-called strategies. More settlements will mean more security liabilities and more problems for Israel. Our occupation is also creating other ‘facts on the ground’ in the form of new enemies and mistrust of the peace process. We are weakening the resolve of those Arab countries who have made peace with Israel, and of those who want to make peace, and strengthening the ‘rejectionist’ camp.

The Palestinians have not much to gain from wasting time either, and not much to hope from the pressure of world - or U.S. - opinion. Support of the Arab world for Palestinians has never helped much in the past. After the bombings of the U.S. embassies, and the chorus of threats by Muslim groups, it is unlikely that the U.S. or its allies will have much of an ear for the Arab cause or the interests of Arab countries. Right - wing Israelis watched with glee as Muslim extremists, including Sheikh Yassin of the Hamas threatened violence against the U.S. and Israel. Perhaps the Israeli government knew what they were doing after all when they released this man. With enemies like that, who needs friends?

In reality, time is working against both peoples. The Palestinians are losing more ground to Israeli settlers each day. Both societies are losing more ground to lawlessness and violence each day. In Gaza, two Palestinian policemen were executed after they had used their weapons and authority to murder two other Palestinians in a family feud. In Hebron, settlers rioted on the seventh day of mourning for Rabbi Shlomo Ra’anan, killed by a terrorist intruder. Hate begets hate. Violence begets violence.

What else has not happened? The peace with Jordan, initiated with so much hope, is mired in mistrust and disappointment. Great floods of tourism and trade have failed to materialize, because of tiresome obstacles posed primarily by Israel in the form of security checks and red-tape for visas.

Elections may be coming in Israel, but we cannot count on them to save the peace. Ehud Barak, after promising clear messages, has delivered nothing substantial. Barak has the peculiar gift of generating apathy in voters. If elections are held soon, there is no guarantee of a Labor victory, nor is there any guarantee that such a victory will bring about a dramatic change, since we do not know exactly what Barak stands for. Those who want peace must vote for Barak, because he is lesser of two evils. This does not make for an inspiring election slogan: "Barak is less bad than Bibi." At least it is alliterative.

It is frustrating that a clear majority of people on both sides want to see progress in the peace talks, and want a peaceful settlement, but our voices are not heard. So it is up to us to get a message to the leaders of both sides - no peace, no support. We must do this every chance we get. Israelis can do this by participating in demonstrations such as the one that will take place on September 12 in Rabin Square. PEACE will be there - will you?

Peace will not happen unless both Palestinians and Israelis who are for peace are willing to come forward en-masse and tell our governments and leaders that peace must become the first priority.

Only you can make it happen!