The Slow and Steady Progress Toward A Slow and Steady Progress Toward Peace

Ehud Olmert is adamant. He will not meet with Mahmoud Abbas, whom he says gave him his word that he would not make a deal with Hamas until and unless his partner in the Palestinian Authority declared recognition of Israel. The Fatah leader also pledged that a unity deal with Hamas would result in the release of captured IDF soldier Gilad Shalit. What is the point, what could be the purpose of sitting down and talking with someone you cannot trust? he points out.

Besides which Fatah and Hamas, despite their signed Mecca accord, still cannot control their factions which are still intent on dominating one the other. And Mahmoud Abbas has been as ineffective as ever at stopping the attacks on Israel; the Kassam rockets, the would-be bombers. Who to dialogue with, after all? Still, there has been a real flurry of activity in the region, led by Norway's delegate to the PA, happy enough to speak with Hamas.

The European Union may be next in line. And there is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon on his Middle East tour, taking time out from ducking rockets in Iraq to meet with both Mr. Olmert and Mr. Abbas, back and forth. Inspecting the wall and the Palestinian villages, determining to exhort Mr. Olmert to release the tax millions collected by Israel on behalf of the PA. It's his job, after all, and this man plans heroically to live up to the demands of his job.

Oh yes, there's Condoleeza Rice too, back and forth from Jordan to the Palestinian territories, to Israel. If she can wheedle Israel into meeting with Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the PA, to give some serious thought to the Arab League plan to normalize relations with Israel that might be a start. It might help if the Saudis started by understanding that the right-of-return is a non-starter, but that's another story, although the most vital one.

Complicated, oh dear, yes. But when has the Middle East not been complicated? Infuriatingly complex, utterly senseless, madly insane with its unsolvable issues, its internecine hatreds, its plans and successions. Hey, look at the historical record; it was ever thus. Go back - way back - back further still, pre- and post-biblical era, it was like this, no kidding.

The tribal mentalities persist. The old hatreds bred through perceived insults to dignity and honour prevail. Revenge assumes the first order of the day. Peace is always - just around the corner tantalizing, taunting, elusive.

Try a little harder.