Peace process in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict

The peace process in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict has taken shape over the years, despite the ongoing violence in the Middle East and an "all or nothing" attitude about a lasting peace, "which prevailed for most of the twentieth century". Since the 1970s there has been a parallel effort made to find terms upon which peace can be agreed to in both the Arab–Israeli conflict and in the Palestinian–Israeli conflict. Some countries have signed peace treaties, such as the Egypt–Israel (1979) and Jordan–Israel (1994) treaties, whereas some have not yet found a mutual basis to do so.
Since the November 2007 Annapolis Conference, the current outline for a Palestinian–Israeli peace agreement has been a two-state solution.

Palestinian views of the peace process.
Palestinians have held diverse views and perceptions of the peace process. A key starting point for understanding these views is an awareness of the differing objectives sought by advocates of the Palestinian cause. 'New Historian' Israeli academic Ilan Pappe says the cause of the conflict from a Palestinian point of view dates back to 1948 with the creation of Israel (rather than Israel’s views of 1967 being the crucial point and the return of occupied territories being central to peace negotiations), and that the conflict has been a fight to bring home refugees to a Palestinian state. Therefore this for some was the ultimate aim of the peace process and for groups such as Hamas still is. However Slater says that this ‘maximalist’ view of a destruction of Israel in order to regain Palestinian lands, a view held by Arafat and the PLO initially, has steadily moderated from the late 1960s onwards to a preparedness to negotiate and instead seek a two-state solution. The Oslo Accords demonstrated the recognition of this acceptance by the then Palestinian leadership of the state of Israel’s right to exist in return for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip and West Bank. However there are recurrent themes prevalent throughout peace process negotiations including a feeling that Israel offers too little and a mistrust of its actions and motives.

Israeli views of the peace process.
There are several Israeli views of the peace process. One Israeli view is that the conflict stems from the 1967 Six Day War and consequently the peace process should stem from this and thus have negotiated on the basis of giving up some control of the occupied territories in return for a stop to the conflict and violence. Hardliners believe that no territorial concessions should be given to Palestinians and want to maintain an Israeli sovereign state over the whole area it currently occupies, or if it does negotiate with territory in the peace process only with the Gaza Strip. Israelis view the peace process as hindered and near impossible due to terrorism on the part of Palestinians and do not trust Palestinian leadership to maintain control. In fact, Pedahzur goes as far as to say that suicide terrorism succeeded where peace negotiations failed in encouraging withdrawal by Israelis from cities in the West Bank. The Oslo Accords and the Camp David 2000 summit negotiations revealed the possibility of a two state system being accepted as a possible peace solution by Israeli leadership. However the violence of the second intifada has strengthened the resolve that peace and negotiation is not possible and a two state system is not the answer which is further enforced by the coming to power of Hamas. A common theme throughout the peace process has been a feeling that the Palestinians ask for too much in their peace demands and offer little in return. (wikipedia - english.people.com - cdn4.wn.com)

Japan Prepares for North Korean Missile

Japan's military is preparing for a missile launch by North Korea. If launched as planned, the rocket will fly over Japanese territory, with its booster stages dropping near the country. Japan ...
Japan's military is preparing for a missile launch by North Korea. If launched as planned, the rocket will fly over Japanese territory, with its booster stages dropping near the country. Japan ordered its military Friday to prepare to intercept any dangerous debris falling on its territory, ahead of a planned missile launch by North Korea. Pyongyang says it intends to launch a satellite as soon as April 4, which will fly over Japan and see booster stages drop off to its east and west. Regional powers believe the real purpose is to test a long-range ballistic missile, with the potential to reach North American territory. The Taepondong-2 missile is believed already positioned on a North Korea launch pad, and the U.S. and other nations have warned a test would be a provocative act. Japan is constitutionally prohibited from intercepting the missile if it is clearly heading elsewhere, but Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada said all preparations are being taken. [Yasukazu Hamada, Japanese Defense Minister]:
"I have issued an order... to prepare to destroy any object that might fall on Japan as a result of an accident involving a flying object from North Korea." Japan is expected to move Patriot Advanced Capability-3 interceptors to northern Japan, which lies under the rocket's likely trajectory, as well as deploy Aegis-equipped destroyers with missile interceptors. Top nuclear envoys from Tokyo, Seoul and Washington will meet in the U.S. capital later Friday, a sign of growing concern over the possible launch.