Domestic Israeli opposition and hurt Syrian pride may be just two of the most obvious reasons for the stutter that brings to a halt the recent peace process acceleration. More than anything else, it appears that nobody is interested. The status quo is stable, Assad junior is relatively new on his post. There is no sense of urgency, which builds up elsewhere, namely in Gaza and West Bank.

How legitimate would a peace treaty with the Syrians be while their Palestinian neighbors are still being oppressed, deprived of an independent state they justly deserve? Any such agreement would inevitably appear as having been signed at the expense of the Palestinian cause.

Perhaps the correct strategic move would be to focus all energy on solving the local problems of Gaza and West Bank. Instead, the Israeli government is trying to juggle between all fronts, ending up sabotaging both (one might assume that that is indeed the real strategic aim). But the prime minister has reduced the issues to tactical, treating them as means for individual political survival. It’s harder for the police to investigate his corruption allegations when he is constantly “busy” with Syria.

Most citizens accept the situation, convinced that most politicians are spineless apparatchiks: this one is no different — what else is new. If this is true, it’s a shame that a few politicians’ personal welfare precedes an entire nation’s future. I bet this sounds familiar to the American readers. What else is new?

The Palestinian problem grows more and more difficult to contain. Gaza will burst sooner or later — it is already the most densely populated urban area of the world — ready or not. Establishing a lasting amicable (as much as possible) relationship is the first priority: waves of friendly famished Palestinians will be easier to absorb than those of angry ones.

Maybe we are not yet ready for peace with Syria. Maybe we don’t yet deserve it.