Has the election signaled renewed optimism in the process to achieve peace between the Israelis and Palestinians?
Hodes: Arafat’s death and the swift transition to new leadership have definitely revived Palestinian optimism about a future peace process. Polling data suggests a majority of Palestinians are optimistic in this regard, a one-third increase over data obtained before Arafat’s death. The election means to Palestinians that the newly elected president is no longer the living symbol of their aspirations, as Arafat was. He is now an elected politician whose success will be measured by what he delivers to his constituents. They are anxious to see what he can do. What has been the impact of recent violence on the peace process? Hodes: Violence since the election has only served to galvanize the new president, Mahmoud Abbas, to move quickly to try and consolidate his security services and show his seriousness in trying to combat violence. He is already trying to talk to groups that have used violence like Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and the Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigade to reach agreement
