Bobert,

In your post you say that I am:

"....looking for excuses on why peaceful solutions don't work."

There is of course another way of viewing that. I am looking at the realities that affect the situation, the real problems.

I mentioned three participants PLO, Hamas and Israel - the first two rejected the proposal outright the Israeli's rejection was conditional. Now out of those three responses which one appears most likely to negotiate? - The Israeli response, i.e. we will talk about this provided certain conditions are met. Of the other two, the PLO could possibly have been talked round - The Hamas position is clear and intransigent - their goal is the destruction of the state of Israel. Where is the basis for negotiation?

The simple truth is that no one can impose a peace settlement on the Israeli/Palestinian conflict - the parties immediately involved have to arrive at a compromise solution. The reality of the situation, Bobert, is that at present the situation and circumstances required to get these people talking just does not exist. That is an explanation, not an excuse.