Back on the Wagon

All the experts, politicians, and peaceniks have jumped on the Window of Opportunity Bandwagon regarding peace between Israel and Palestine. InstantReplay was a bit more skeptical, despite the newfound pragmatism on Sharon's part and Arafat's peaceful death. A new poll among Palestinians, however, has convinced us to get on the bandwagon, because it shows that a lot of Palestinians have gotten on:

[Haaretz] A poll conducted by the Jerusalem Media and Communication Center indicates a dramatic decline in Palestinian support for acts of violence targeting Israelis. For the first time since the outbreak of the intifada in September 2000, a majority of Palestinians, some 52%, oppose violence against Israel...

Some 59% of the Palestinians polled expressed optimism regarding the future, while 40% expressed pessimism. Some 47% are skeptical regarding the chances for a successful outcome to the peace process, and believe that it is currently in a "difficult state, and that its future is unclear." Only 26% of the respondents said that the peace process is alive and that there is a possibility of resuming negotiations; 25% said that "the peace process is dead, and there is no possibility of renewing negotiations."

Palestinians are willing to compromise. Hamas and Sharon are showing their soft sides. Arafat is out of the way. Bush is getting reinvolved. Egypt and Israel have patched things up. Syria is even taking another look at peace. This could be good, folks, this could be good.