a major impact on their future, local media said. "The Israeli government believes the outcome of the elections could have a significant impact on the speed the disengagement plan [in Gaza and some parts of the West Bank] is implemented, particularly regarding extra US assistance to cover the cost of relocating the settlers," Maariv news paper said.
"Contacts on the subject had already begun, but are on hold until it becomes clear who will be sitting in the Oval Office for the next four years." the paper added.
"According to estimates, if President (George W. Bush) is reelected, discussions about the Israeli request for assistance could resume at the beginning of next year. However, should (John F.) Kerry win the vote, it could take a while until the subject is clarified with the new administration."
MORE OPTIMISTIC
However the Haaretz newspaper was somewhat more optimistic. "No one ever lost money betting against Arab-Israeli peace, so it’s a pretty safe wager that there will be no serious movement by any side until sometime next year – at the earliest."
"Should a second Bush or a Kerry administration decide to take up the challenge, three new realities will make their work hugely more complicated. This isn’t your father’s peace process anymore. And we had better adjust our expectations accordingly," it said.
At the same time, the paper stressed that the "United States cannot afford to run away from this issue; instead, we need a sober, sustained and determined strategy to deal with it."
HISTORIC WATERSHED
Haaretz said that 2000 "may well join 1948 and 1967 as historic watersheds in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, setting in motion consequential changes, such as possible Israeli withdrawal from Gaza," in 2005.
But, in the short term, the past four years has made a viable agreement between Israelis and Palestinians much less likely. That was not expected to change with any American President, Israeli media suggested.
