Palestinians are preparing for September, but is Israel?

[Violet_Crumble]

A simulation exercise by Palestinians, designed to help them assess what will happen after the UN vote in September, leads to a few conclusions. One is that widespread violence is possible - but not inevitable or desired.

By Avi Issacharoff and Amos Harel

In a little more than two months, the United Nations General Assembly is scheduled to discuss the Palestinian Authority's request for recognition of a Palestinian state within the June 4, 1967 boundaries. But for now, the Palestinian public is preoccupied with a range of other issues that have nothing to do with the occupation, the settlements or a popular uprising.

On Sunday, a World Cup preliminary qualifying match between Palestine and Afghanistan, played at Al-Ram stadium north of Jerusalem, ended in a 1-1 draw. In a previous round the Palestinians won 2-0, thus keeping their hopes alive, and now need a win against Thailand to move into the next round.

That same day, Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad announced that civil servants would receive only half their salaries because funds promised by Arab donor states have not arrived. And on Tuesday, Hebron held elections for its chamber of commerce. Nearly 2,000 residents voted in what was perceived as a cross-clan battle of generations over the city's economic future. Not a word was said about an intifada or the occupation.

Also on Sunday, however, the Ramallah-based Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research, headed by Dr. Khalil Shikaki, conducted a simulation exercise relating to the September vote. The participants, past and present senior figures from the PA and Fatah, assumed the roles of representatives of the PA and the U.S. administration, and other key international figures. Three Israelis were also invited (including one of this column's co-authors ), who, alongside a Palestinian academic, played the Israeli government. Senior Hamas figures in the West Bank were invited to participate but refused because of the Israeli presence. The proceedings were held in Arabic.

http://www.haaretz.com/blogs/mess-report/palestinians-are-preparing-for-september-but-is-israel-1.372124

[aquart]

1. Killing coming? How unusual.

[bemildred]

2. I'm pretty confident that everybody is working away like mad.

Some of the scenarios were interesting, I never would have thought of them.

[AverageJoe90]

3. Be prepared in case Hamas goes absolutely insane if they don't get their way..........

......just saying. They ARE terrorists, after all.
But then again, I wouldn't trust the Likudniks, either, they can just be as nutty; not to mention, at least Hamas doesn't have nukes, as far as we know......