Barak's situation before the dramatic events in Israel

The dramatic events in the Israeli political arena dominated the most decisive development in the peace process in the Middle East as the situation of the Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak become too weak due to his governing coalition breaking up.

This position however is regarded by Palestinian officials as being created by Barak himself in order to use his situation to justify a lack of flexibility in the Israeli negotiating position.

Despite Barak's allegation that he is entrusted by the Israeli people directly and that his governmental coalition has been originally dissolved, Barak has concern that making concessions may cause political dissension around him.

Barak has reiterated that he was elected by the Israelis (and not the Knesset) by a large majority because the Israelis wanted peace. In this regard, a partial agreement that does not meet the aspirations of the Palestinians, will leave Barak vulnerable to his internal opposition as he would have satisfied neither the Palestinians, nor the Israelis, whereas a complete end to this historic problem will leave Barak stronger than before, having met the aspirations of the people who elected him. Therefore, this meeting takes on the added significance in this regard that a positive outcome should be reached, whether through a public agreement, or a very definite understanding that would allow certain finalization at a later stage.

Barak is ready to deliver between 80% - 90% of the west Bank's lands to the Palestinians, withdrawing the small settlements, allowing some Palestinian refugees to come back to Israel itself and allowing a kind of Palestinian administration in some parts of eastern Jerusalem. This Israeli position however does not meet the Palestinian demands concerning establishing their state that was occupied in 1967 with East Jerusalem as its capital.