Jeff Jacoby

In October 1998, Israeli and Arab leaders signed the Wye Memorandum, a document that releases some Israeli-occupied territory to Palestinian authorities in exchange for Arab promises to combat terrorism. In the following viewpoint, Jeff Jacoby argues that this agreement will not lead to peace. In previous negotiations, Jacoby points out, Israel has offered Palestinians “land for peace” and received hatred and terrorism in return. Because the Wye accord does not ensure Palestinian compliance and security for Israel, it could lead to disaster, the author concludes. Jacoby is a columnist for the Boston Globe,a daily newspaper.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. How has Yasser Arafat benefited from the Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations, in Jacoby’s opinion?
2. According to the author, why did Palestinian Authority police arrest six Arabs in...