Fantasy.

ARAB-Israeli conflict, 1993-; PEACE treaties; INTERNATIONAL mediation; PALESTINIAN politics & government, 1993-; ISRAELI politics & government, 1993-; SHARON, Ariel, 1928-2014; ARAFAT, Yasir, 1929-2004; TERRORISM; BOMBERS (Terrorists)

The authors argue the Geneva Accord, which claims to be the comprehensive solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, fails to defend Israel's most basic interests. The Accord, a European-funded effort secretly negotiated by Palestinian officials and Israeli public figures for two years--and signed in a symbolic, lavish ceremony in Geneva this week--states that Israel will withdraw to the 1967 borders, a Palestinian state will emerge with its capital in Jerusalem, and the two peoples will recognize each other's right to statehood and resolve the refugee issue. Most Israelis are now ready to forfeit the results of the 1967 war--control over the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem--in return for Palestinian acceptance of the outcome of the 1948 war. Most Israelis also view the creation of a Palestinian state not as a mortal threat but as the only means of preserving Israel's Jewish and democratic identity. The centrist Israeli majority supports establishing a Palestinian state, but only after the Palestinians have ended terrorism, reformed their government, and renounced their insistence on returning Palestinian refugees to Israel. The Accord, though, ignores even those minimal expectations. Instead, it would grant the Palestinians a state while they wage a terrorist war, legitimize and even strengthen Yasir Arafat's rule, and force Israel to accept the principle of repatriating refugees. In addition, it undermines the global war on terrorism and would threaten any future compromise in the region.