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The Rocky Road to Peace

Four months ago, the U.S. proposed a "road map," or plan, that officials hoped would lead to peace between Palestinians and Israelis. The two groups have clashed violently for decades over claims to the same land.

After a short period of calm, the violence flared up again on August 8. Progress toward peace is way off track.

Last Thursday, in response to terrorist acts, the Israeli government voted to expel Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat from Palestinian territory in the West Bank (see map). Israel declared that Arafat was "a complete obstacle" to peace, but did not say how or when he would be removed. Palestinians took to the streets, vowing to support their leader. A defiant Arafat told the demonstrators, "No one can kick me out."

For the past year, the U.S. and Israel have refused to deal directly with Arafat. Since March, they have turned to Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas. But Abbas resigned two weeks ago because of a power struggle with Arafat. Now, Arafat's choice for prime minister, Ahmed Qureia, asked "all wise people to stop this crazy decision" to remove Arafat.

The U.S. agrees. Said a State Department spokesman: "We think that it would not be helpful to expel (Arafat)."

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