ABSTRACT

This chapter examines the long-term strategic trap in which Arafat and Rabin found themselves due to postponing the crucial issues of permanent borders and settlement evacuation to the final stage of negotiations. This postponement, made possible by Israel’s dominant power at all levels, blurred the borders and strengthened the most fanatical opponents of compromise in both national communities. As a result, the main preoccupation of Rabin and Arafat was coping with their internal opposition, far more than conducting negotiations to improve the agreement, enhance their ability to control, and raise the standard of living of Palestinians in the territories.