**A Map That Could Have Changed History**
In 2008, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert showed a map to Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas that could have changed the course of history. The map proposed giving up almost 5% of the West Bank, including major Jewish settlement blocks.
Olmert revealed the map for the first time in a documentary called “The Road to 7th October”. He said he offered Abbas a deal that would have been a significant step forward, but it never came to fruition. The Palestinians thought the plan was dead after Olmert’s resignation and a corruption scandal.
**A Lame-Duck Leader**
Rafiq Husseini, Abbas’ chief of staff, recalled the atmosphere as they left Jerusalem in 2008. He laughed at the proposal, thinking it was not serious. “It’s unfortunate that Olmert was a lame-duck,” he said. “We will not get anywhere with this.”
The situation in Gaza complicated matters, with Hamas-controlled territory launching rocket attacks on Israel. Olmert thought Abbas signing the deal would have been a smart move after months of violence.
**A Complex World**
The world is complex, and peace processes often fail. The Oslo Accords signed in 1993 were supposed to bring hope, but they ended in tragedy. In 2001, Israeli and Palestinian negotiators came close to a deal at Taba, but it never happened.
Olmert’s map on the napkin shows what might have been. It’s a reminder that peace is always just out of reach, but not impossible.
Read More @ www.bbc.com