Mostly Harmless

Patching things up in the Israeli/Palistinian conflict is never an easy task, and no one is more aware of this than Condoleezza Rice. In recent weeks she has tried her hand at solving the crisis, but met more than a few roadblocks, literally. The main problems revolve around the issues of continuing Israeli activity and roadblocks in the West Bank.
During her last visit in March, Israel promised to remove 61 roadblocks, but the UN says only 44 have been dismantled, and most of them had no or little significance.

When asked whether she would ask the Israelis to dismantle more roadblocks, she replied with a somewhat exasperated laugh: “The first thing we’re going to do is review the ones that were supposedly removed.”

Condi also said she wanted to talk to the Israelis about the significance of the checkpoints in question, because some have more impact than others on the lives of the Palestinians.

“Not all roadblocks are created equal,” said Ms Rice. “We don’t want to get into a numbers game where you just remove ‘X’ number of roadblocks but it’s not improving the lives of the Palestinians.”

Israel says the checkpoints are essential against security threats coming from Palestinians militants, but they are stifling life in the West Bank.

Condi’s trip was meant to motivate the two sides into action and set the stage for President George W Bush’s visit to Israel and the Arab world later this month. It can only be hoped that his motorcade will find it easier than Ms Rice to make it through the roadblocks.

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