The following considerations encourage Palestinian hopes for a just peace in the foreseeable future -
New Palestinian City of Rawabi
President Abbas, now in his 80s, knows that this is his last chance of ending the Israeli occupation. If he fails, his Hamas rivals are likely to win the next Palestinian election.
As long as conflict in Palestine continues no industrialist will invest in Palestinian industries. Once the conflict is over, the occupation ended, the checkpoints removed, and refugees housed, international investors, including Israelis, will hasten to take advantage of a large, educated, under-employed workforce. The EU has promised commercial assistance. Palestinian industries will take off! The problems will then be those of sudden affluence.
Anxiety over Iranian nuclear ambitions may encourage the Israeli government to seek peace with the Palestinians.
When the occupation is over and the barriers forgotten, tourism will flourish to the benefit of both Israel and Palestine. Imagine a coach-trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem via Jerusalem: the pilgrimage of a lifetime.
