"n a region where anything but pessimism invites ridicule."
You mean in Europe?

Toby, USA,

It's Oslo all over again. An agreement is brokered. The fine print says the 'implementation' is arbitrary. What is to be done,may be done, in the future. There is a new Orwellian word in the lexicon for this, a 'shelf agreement'. What one undertakes to do can be cancelled at whim, under pretexts.

Peter, Rome, Italy

The Palestinians might get somewhere by emmulating Israel's decision to accept Partition in 1947 leaving it in control of just predominantly Jewish areas. Had Israel held out for maximalist borders the state would have never existed.

MARK KLEIN, M.D., OAKLAND, USA

Cannot believe she's implying it's just Israel's fault. Its simple - they don't remove the checkpoints because they don't want to be bombed. How can you criticise that? The only way to bring about peace would be to have the rest of the Middle Eastern countries let go of their extreme prejudices

Joanna G, Glasgow,

Mr Blair, like all rich Socialists is a Utopian. Just like Omama, he believes we can ' get above politics ', ' perfect ' people ', talk to the animals etc. Sorry Dr Doolittle! Everyone is open to dialogue, even as your head is being separated from your body.

Desmond Taylor, Houston, USA Tx

Winning arguments in the western press won't save Israel. Only three outcomes are possible: a full SC242 implementation; a unitary, democratic and non-sectarian polity, or in time the doom of this state which now is a rejected cancer in the Middle East.

tarquinis, Seattle, USA

Peace would be breaking out all over the Mid East if only Israel "allowed it". Of course, Maddox has nothing to say about the Pali's bombing their own border crossings to prevent aid coming thru - or the countless times Israel removed checkpoints - only to reinstall them when bombers took advatage..

Sam Green, Modi'in, Israel

Peter, why spoil beautiful theory with facts: twice in the last 15 years Palestinians had a chance to independence & economic prosperity: in 1995 & 2000. Israel agreed to withdraw to 1967 for a complete peace agreement. The answer was terror & more terror. Why blame us for their "wise" decisions?

Vickie, TA,

It is not only Israel that has to allow this small advance.
One or two terrorist bombs, smuggled through the newly created access ,by either Hamas,Hezbollah or any other organisation would bring it to a halt.

robert everitt, wolverhampton,

Amazing how other reader comments basically suggest the present situation with Israel changing the facts on the ground with an ever increasing amount of settlements on Palestinian land and the choking of the Palestinian people and economy is a better alternative !!!

Karim A. , Geneva, Switzerland

I.e.No significant economic development in the Occupied Palestinian Territories will be permitted while Israel perceives a terrorist threat. As de facto annexation proceeds, Palestinians in shantytowns must watch with patient tolerance beautiful new Israeli settlements burgeon on their land..

Peter, Rome, Italy

Israel is always asked to pay the price of failed Palestinian experiments. But to show god faith to the world, it will do so again. Hopefully, the Jenin experiment will prove new maturity on the part of the Palestinian Authority. If suicide bombers slip through, there won't be more chance.

Darren White, L. A. , USA

Strange that the author puts the onus on the nation that is receiving missile attacks nearly every day.

Jill, Tucson, USA

Forget Blair's rediculous request to open up Jenin and the West Bank. The last time Israel allowed that to happen the Palestinians sent dozens of suicide bombers in Jerusalem and all over Israel.

If you want real progress for the Palestians then move all of them into Jordan and build new cities.

Richard, Nashville, USA

Lets remember the Palestinians had full control of West Bank Area A (all major cities) and billions of dollars in aid under the Oslo "peace" agreements. What destroyed this short-lived autonomy and prosperity? Corruption, Arafat's 2nd Intifada and Hamas suicide bombers, not Israeli checkpoints!

Steve S, L.A., USA