One of the biggest problems in the Middle-East peace process is the lack of reasonable leadership on either side.  Netanyahu is an unwilling participant in the two state solution and has to be strong armed into everything, Abbas is unable to speak for all of Palestine and Hamas needs an agreement with Fatah to even participate in negotiations.  That is why it is so encouraging to read interviews like this one with Jordanian King Abdullah.  A moderate in a region full of ideologues, Abdullah's opinions are all well-thought-out and illuminating, here are a few that jumped out to me:

Haaretz: What needs to be done now, in light of the results of the New York summit between Obama, Abbas and Netanyahu?

King: We must tackle the issue head-on within a clear action plan. That means engagement in serious negotiations that tackle all final status issues, borders, refugees, settlements, Jerusalem, and build on the results of previous negotiations within the framework of the already-agreed terms of reference. We need to get to the endgame: a two-state solution and comprehensive peace between Israel and all its Arab neighbours.

This is a clear endorsement of Obama's approach, which has George Mitchell shuttling around the Middle-East getting everyone to the table for an agreement that tackles all of the issues at once rather than getting bogged down in sequencing which should be dealt with first, an approach that leads to deadlocks like the never-ending dispute about a settlement freeze earlier this year.

Haaretz: How can you convince the Israelis, who supported the disengagement from Gaza, that the West Bank will not also turn to “Hamastan”, once Israel pulls out from there?

King: The disengagement from Gaza was a unilateral decision that was implemented with a lack of coordination. When it happened, I remember being very angry because it looked almost as if it was meant to create a problem. And then Gaza was isolated. So of course it is going to start to bubble over. Now, if what happened in Gaza is to happen in the West Bank, it will only happen if again you create a virtual prison. But if you move to peace and prosperity you are not going to have that problem.

This argument about Gaza is raised frequently, as though the Palestinians demonstrated their barbarism when given a chance, and thus Israel can not afford to give them any other concessions.  The reality is more complicated, and while the Palestinians have certainly not earned any plaudits for their behavior, it has to be pointed out that Israel did not create a constructive space for them to do so.

Finally:

Haaretz: What would you tell those Israelis about their future, 10 years from now, if we don’t reach a settlement on a two-state solution?

King: That we all will continue to be hostage to conflict and tension. We have no alternative but to pursue a negotiated settlement that will meet Israel’s security needs and ensure it has normal relations in the region, and fulfils the Palestinians’ right to freedom and statehood. The Arab Peace Initiative offers an unprecedented opportunity to resolve the conflict and build a better future for all of us. We have made our choice, a peace that meets the legitimate needs of all. The initiative is not just about the two- state solution. It is about a 57-state solution, 57 nations, a third of the world, that still do not have a relationship with Israel, will have normal relations with Israel within the context of a comprehensive peace.

That is a vision worthy of great leadership, it is a pity that there aren't more reasonable men like Abdullah directly involved in the process.