​Former Senator George Mitchell is a widely respected peace negotiator, helping settle the long standing conflict in Northern Ireland, and having served as an intermediary in Israeli - Palestinian peace talks from 2009 - 2011. His book, "A Path to Peace", takes the reader through the history of the Israeli - Palestinian conflict over the past 70 years, talks about previous peace talks between the two, and then offers an outline for negotiating peace, based on the established step-by-step methods which proved successful in settling the longstanding dispute in Northern Ireland.

Mitchell's peace plan would result in two States, side-by-side, one being the Israeli State, and the other being the Palestinian State. This has been the stated goal of the Palestinians and Arab Nations in the region, and has been endorsed by the U.S. and Israeli leaders. However, as the delays drag on, and peace talks get postponed, support for that two state solution is losing support among many Israeli leaders, and many Palestinians as well. Peace talks in the past typically fail, or fail to even begin, due to the continuing settlement activity by Jewish settlers, which is a red-line to the Palestinians, and failure of Palestinian leaders to begin direct negotiations without pre-conditions. Security is a main concern of Netanyahu, and boundaries for a Palestinian state a main concern of PNA leader Abbas.

Mitchell envisioned the U.S. laying out a broad acceptable outline which would set a goal for, but not fully define boundaries for, a Palestinian State, which would call for a temporary end to settlement expansion into that envisioned territory, guarantee boundary security for Israel, and support the return of a number of refugees to return to the Palestinian state. The U.S. would be an essential partner in this effort, by guaranteeing Israel's security, along with NATO and other nations, and by creating an international fund to support returning refugees and settlers forced to relocate.

However, my guess is that whatever Mitchell envisioned will not get started. Mitchell wrote his book just before the 2016 Presidential elections, not being sure who would become the new President. But his hopes were that Obama would lay out a general approach for peace, and the next President would continue to refine the plan with Israeli and Palestinian leaders. Disputes are created and continue by humans, and Mitchell feels that disputes can be resolved by humans. But that requires that they sit down and TALK. Mitchell feels that if a negotiator can meet with the leaders, and identify a take tiny, easy baby-step for one side, then take that to the other side and see if they'll make a reciprocal, tiny, easy baby-step in response, and then go back and forth, continuing the process, with the U.S. as guarantor, eventually the two side could gain trust and begin talking amongst themselves.

But, it appears Mitchell will have to write a new book now. Following President Trump's decision to move the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to "the Jewish Capital of Jerusalem", Palestinian leaders no longer see the U.S. as a credible mediator in this conflict. ​ Many other Countries have already voiced concern that this declaration by the President would alienate Arab allies and further complicate prospects for a two-state solution, as evidenced by the December U.N. Security Council and General Council condemnations of this singular move.

George Mitchell himself, ever the diplomat, simply called the President's declaration "premature and unwise". So, unless President Trump's peace envoy and son-in-law Jared Kushner can come up with a better plan, new negotiations by either party seem more unlikely in the near future, and things may have to get worse before they get better.

For the curious, see Mitchell's short interview on the subject from early December here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxE_RclObxc
( )