The resumption of direct peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians this week was auspicious, despite a long history of failed attempts that fosters justifiable pessimism about the ultimate chance of success.
Two days of meetings in Washington struck the right tone. Unlike in 1993, when Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin of Israel and the Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat had to be forced to shake hands at the White House, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel and the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, had no trouble.
The results were good: a decision to meet again in Egypt in two weeks and every two weeks thereafter to negotiate an agreement on all the core issues. That means the borders of a new Palestinian state, security for Israel, the status of Jerusalem and the future of Palestinian refugees. The leaders set an ambitious one-year deadline. If they are truly committed, that seems plausible. But that’s a big if.
We have long been skeptical that Mr. Netanyahu really wants a deal. But he insisted he had come to “find a historic compromise” that would end the conflict and that he recognizes that “another people shares this land with us.” He even told Mr. Abbas, “you are my partner in peace.” We will soon see if it was all political theater.
Mr. Abbas came to the table reluctantly. He is the weaker party and most at risk of being blamed for any breakdown. Still, he promised to “work to make these negotiations succeed” and said security — a major issue for Israel — “is vital for both of us.”
Predictably, peace opponents tried to torpedo the talks. But Mr. Netanyahu didn’t walk out when Hamas rejectionists killed four Israelis near Hebron. And Mr. Abbas not only condemned the attack but his security forces went after those responsible. He didn’t walk out when some Israeli settlers began new settlement construction even before a Sept. 26 moratorium is to expire.
President Obama and his team seem to have found a firmer footing than last year. Now he needs to follow through on his promise to make the United States an active participant in the talks.
A durable peace deal will take even more. Saudi Arabia and other Arab states who have long called for a Palestinian homeland must join Egypt and Jordan in actively backing the Palestinians and the talks. The Israeli and Palestinian people must begin to see tangible evidence that this time is different.
Sept. 26 is the next flashpoint. The Washington conference would have had far more impact if the two sides announced an agreement to deal with that. Mr. Netanyahu should extend the moratorium.
