TRADING SPACES
at THE FOUNTAINS AT FRANKLIN
It only seems like fantasy. Imagine ...
But, he added, "now suddenly
Arafat is gone, there were free elections
in the Palestinian territories and Iraq,"
and Abbas is criticizing terrorism.
"There seems to be something shift-
ing."
Still, Halevi noted, negotiations
most likely would not lead to anything
more than an interim peace deal, as
the sides remain far from a final agree-
ment.
Polls show a new air of optimism
among Israelis. According CO the
"Peace Index," a monthly Tel Aviv
University survey, 77 percent of the
Jewish public supports diplomatic
negotiations with the Palestinian
Authority. The survey also found that
51 percent of Jewish Israelis believe
talks will lead to a peace agreement.
Arab Israelis are even more opti-
mistic, with more than 95 percent
supporting negotiations.
A poll published Tuesday hi the
Yediot Achronot newspaper found that
67 percent of Israelis support the
release of Palestinian prisoners, one of
the main Palestinian demands for
renewing relations.
Palestinian officials say they're
encouraged by Israel's readiness to dis-
cuss the criteria for prisoner releases.
For the first time, some Israeli officials
raised the possibility of releasing pris-
oners who attacked Israelis before the
Oslo peace accords were signed in
1993.
Rami Elhanan, whose teenage
daughter Smadar was killed in a 1997
suicide bombing on Jerusalem's Ben-
Yehuda Street, said he is prepared to
see the release of Palestinian prisoners.
"It's not about justice, it's about wis-
dom. The Palestinians see their prison-
ers as an important card in the negoti-
ating process, and it's a price I'm will-
ing to pay," Elhanan said on Israel
Television. "We don't plan on forgiv-
ing them but I think it's time for rec-
onciliation. Otherwise, it will never
end."
Playing on the sense that the intifa-
da just might be in the past, Israel
Television broadcast a "Chronology of
the intifada" showing video footage of
key events in the conflict, set to
somber background music.
Yediot Achronot listed intifada-related
statistics: 1,558 days of conflict since
September 2000, 138 suicide attacks,
3,592 Palestinians killed, 1,036 Israelis
killed, 208 Palestinians assassinated
and 7,054 Israelis injured.
On both sides, there's a sense of
exhaustion and a desire to return to
normalcy.
Rice's visit earlier this week and her
assurances that U.S. monitors will be
placed on the ground to oversee secu-
rity coordination is adding to hopes
that diplomacy will be backed with
substance. Rice appointed Lt. Gen.
William Ward as the security coordi-
nator between Israel and the
Palestinians.
Israeli analysts said a strong U.S.
presence will be necessary if security
coordination efforts are to have any
effect. In the past, both sides have
been reluctant to fulfill their obliga-
tions when there was no watchful eye
overhead.
"Every two years we have a window
of opportunity, but we don't know if it
will stay open or shut," said David
Newman, a political science professor
at Ben-Gurion University.
He said Israel now will come under
increased pressure to carry out its
promised withdrawals.
At the summit, Sharon said that if
there is progress with the Palestinians
on the security front, it's possible that
Israel's withdrawal will be coordinated
with the Palestinian Authority and not
unilateral, as originally planned.
"Given the experience of the last 10
years of huge plans and nothing
implemented, Gaza will be a very
important precedent which would
change the political discourse vis-a-vis
the West Bank," Newman said.
The extent to which a withdrawal
from Gaza will bring a reduction in
violence and in the number of rockets
shot into Israel will affect the Israeli
public's attitude toward any additional
West Bank withdrawals, he added.
Shlomo Brom, a former director of
strategic planning for the army who
now is a senior researcher at Tel Aviv
University's Jaffee Center for Strategic
Studies, said a coordinated withdrawal
from Gaza is best for Israel.
"I think it's almost an imperative to
work with the Palestinians on with-
drawal," Brom said. "We can do it
without coordination technically; the
question is what would happen after-
ward."
Brom noted that Sharon himself
appears uncertain about what to make
of the recent flurry of diplomatic
activity. "The optimism bothers him
because he does not really want nego-
tiations with the Palestinians," he said.
According to Brom, Sharon wants to
see violence end but doesn't believe a
final peace deal with the Palestinians is
possible because the gaps between the
two sides' are still so wide.
"Sharon says we will go ahead with
disengagement, and after that see what
happens," Brom said.
No more yard Nvo rk. Shoveling snow?
History. Housekeeping, only as you wish.
It's not a vacation. It's your life. What do
you want to make of it? Learn to paint.
Write a book. Get fit. Well take you there ...
Join us for our Trading Spaces week ...
CHANGING PLACES
February 21 and 23 from 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Learn about THE FOUNTAINS AT FRANKLIN from our
department leaders. Local vendors specializing in relocation
services will also be on hand to answer your questions.
"SIMPLIFY IT" BRUNCH
February 22 from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Teresa Brune, a specialist in organization will show how to
simplify and organize your life. A gourmet lunch will be served.
To RSVP or for more information, call
3r:
(866) 324-8996
IrTHE FOUNTAINS
t
AT FRANKLIN
Retirement Living • Assisted Living • Alzheimer's Care
28301 Franklin Road • Southfield, MI 48034
www.thefOuntains.corn
AL#630084627 • NPDJ0205
SVA-Fffug,
H
appy, Ecstatic. Can't say enough good
stuff...that's Sandy Weiss, who LOVES
Gittleman Construction and the work they do. Her
enthusiasm began 12 years ago when she and
husband Norm embarked upon a major remodel of
their home.
The minute we met Scott (Gittleman) I felt
comfortable," recalled Sandy.
,
So comfortable that the couple left everything—
new floors to new walls to new rooms—up to
Gittleman and his team who in 10 months of
renovations. never once failed to deliver.
"He promised I'd get my bedroom back in four
months, and in four months, I got my bedroom
back," Sandy said. "He kept every promise."
That's why when the Weiss's recently needed a speedy response for a flooded basement, they
immediately called Gittleman. "He tries to do everything he can to accommodate you."
Basement now redone, Sandy doesn't think she'll need Gittleman again, but the grandmother of two
can't help but shower motherly praise on the amiable contractor. "He's absolutely wonderful."
Next time you need care and consideration besides a job done on time and within budget, you can
get it all from Gittleman.
JUST ASK NORM AND SANDY WEISS.
GITTLEMAN
GC; CONSTRUCTION
inc
28580 ORCHARD LAKE RD., SUITE 102
FARMINGTON HILLS, MI 48334
248.538.5400
www.gittleman.net
CUSTOM
RENOVATIONS
2/10
2005
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