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"What's ahead is what's in front of us now—chaos," Merkley says. "I was one of the people who in 1993 said that the Oslo Accords were a serious mistake. It does not embarrass me for people to say that I paint a bleak picture today because the bleak picture is the real picture." Hoping for peace in the current situation and depending on Arafat's associates is "criminal naiveté," he says.

But Burge sees hope in Palestinian moderates. "The majority of the Palestinians, they would like a job and a roof over their head," he says. "They want to see their kids get married. That's what they want, they want a future."

Copyright © 2004 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

More Christianity Today articles on Israel and Palestine include:

'Assault on the Jewish People' | New Presbyterian policy on Israel raises hackles. (Nov. 04, 2004)

Spitting on God's Image | Christians complain of assaults in Old City. (Nov. 03, 2004)

Speaking Out: The Resolution That Put the 'PC' in PCUSA | In its anti-Israel resolution, the Presbyterian General Assembly isn't speaking on behalf of members. A rabbi's opinion. (Aug. 05, 2004)

O Jailed Town of Bethlehem | How eerily still we see thee lie. (May 11, 2004)

Rush to Judgment? | Israel Antiquities Authority's 'findings' bother many archaeologists. (April 29, 2004)

Listening to the Fifth Gospel | The sun-baked ruins of the Holy Land have a story to tell. (Sept. 25, 2003)

What Do the Stones Cry Out? | Beware of claims that archaeology disproves—or proves—the Bible is true. (Sept. 24, 2003)

Top Ten New Testament Archaeological Finds of the Past 150 Years | How do shrouds, boats, inscriptions, and other artifacts better help us understand the Christ of the Ages? (Sept. 23, 2003)

Bones of Contention | Why I still think the James bone box is likely to be authentic. (Sept. 22, 2003)

Biblical Archaeology's Dusty Little Secret | The James bone box controversy reveals the politics beneath the science. (Sept. 19, 2003)

Uneasy Unity | Christians take different paths as "road map" hits impasse. (Sept. 11, 2003)

West, Meet East | Who Are the Christians in the Middle East? examines millions of forgotten believers. (Sept. 11, 2003)

Row Seethes in Bethlehem Over Keys to the Birthplace of Jesus | Greek Orthodox monks changed locks, refuse to share keys with Catholics and Armenians. (Aug. 14, 2003)

Roadblocks and Voting Blocs | Today's evangelicals are committed to peace—not just security—for Israel. (Aug. 01, 2003)

Opinion Roundup: The Evangelical View of Israel? | Evangelicals are more diverse on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict than we are led to believe. (June 11, 2003)

War Could Reduce Holy Land's Christian Presence | Palestinian bishop fears current hostilities could continue a trend that sees Christians forced out of the area altogether. (March 21, 2003)

Darkness at Jesus' Tomb | A fight breaks out on the roof of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. (Sept. 12, 2002)

American Presidents, Religion, and Israel and Who Are God's People in the Middle East? are available from Amazon.com and other book retailers.

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November (Web-only) 2004, Vol. 48