December 30, 2000

After much pressure from foreign (particularly Arab and Moslem) leaders, the Palestinians have returned to peace negotiations. Israel is willing to make a deal on control of religious sites in Jerusalem and closing down many of the Jewish settlements in Palestinian territory. But a deal still has to be made regarding the several million Palestinian refugees. Many of these people are stateless. The most likely deal is financial compensation and some ability to return to Palestinian territory, but not to Israel.