Good Reason for Howls

It has never been satisfactorily explained why the United States has to meet with a joint Jordanian-Palestinian delegation before such a delegation agrees to talk with Israel. Egypt, which first promoted the idea, argues that it would be a confidence-building measure, though exactly whose confidence might be elevated isn’t clear. In May, Jordanian officials let the cat slip from the bag by suggesting that the talks could open an American dialogue with the Palestine Liberation Organization. While rejecting this purpose, the United States has nonetheless reluctantly agreed to go along, presumably because that was easier than saying no to its Arab friends.

There may already be reason to regret that decision. A list of Palestinians proposed for the joint delegation, prepared by the PLO, has been transmitted via Washington to Israel. The Israelis took one look and howled their disapproval. Apparently the list is heavily loaded with PLO figures and with members of the Palestine National Council, a sort of parliament in exile whose covenant calls for the destruction of the Israeli state. In all, the list of nominees seems to suggest something less than a heartfelt interest in good-faith negotiations.

The question, then, is whether this initial PLO-prepared list is only a tough opening stance soon to be abandoned, or whether it is calculated to sabotage the very prospect of talks with Israel over the West Bank.

The list has not strengthened the hands of those in Israel, like Prime Minister Shimon Peres, who are prepared to negotiate a compromise settlement on the West Bank. At the same time, the list again raises questions about the wisdom of American involvement at this point. The United States remains officially committed to the goal of direct Israeli-Arab negotiations over the West Bank’s future. Right now there’s no reason to think that the circuitous diplomacy inherent in any U.S. talks with a Jordanian-Palestinian group would bring that goal much closer. Indeed, if the list of Palestinians proposed for participation in those talks is the last word, there’s no reason to think that the goal can be reached at all.