Questions for Professor Herrmann

1) Senior Palestinian leaders recently alleged that the United States is not a neutral mediator in the current round of peace negotiations. Separately, in his book Brokers of Deceit, Rashid Khalidi argues that the U.S. "has posed as an unbiased intermediary between Israel and the Palestinians, but in fact it operated increasingly in defense of Israel's interests..." Given the U.S.'s historical political, financial, and military support for Israel, can a durable peace ever be achieved between Israel and Palestine as long as the United States plays the role of mediator? What is the importance of U.S. participation in peace talks? Is it necessary?

2) Israel's West Bank settlements and the issue of the Right of Return for Palestinian refugees are often seen as two significant roadblocks on the path to peace. Please give us some context about these two issues. What role do they play in current negotiations, and will headway be made with regard to these issues? What positions are the Palestinians and Israelis likely to take--will any concessions be made?