The Geneva Accord is set to be signed in Switzerland on November 4. Its Israeli and Palestinian signatories have no power to implement this peace plan. But their goal is to establish a path toward peace that officials might one day follow. Their plan asks for major concessions from both Israelis and Palestinians. Israelis would withdraw from large parts of the West Bank and Gaza Strip; Palestinians would give up the right to return to Israel; Jerusalem would be divided. Israeli officials have denounced the initiative as pathetic and shameful, Yasser Arafat has expressed mild interest, and Washington has ignored it. But the authors of the symbolic pact insist they will keep hope of peace alive even if the powers that be are locked in conflict.

Guests:

Yossi Beili, member of Knesset, head of the Israeli team negotiating the Geneva Accord, author of “Toching Peace” and A Guide to an Israeli Withdrawal from Lebanon”

Yasser Abed Rabbo, member of the new Palestinian Legislative Council, head of Palestinian team negotiating the Geneva Accord

Henry Seigman, Director of the US Middle East Project. Council on Foreign Relations;Jack Beatty, On Point News Analyst, a senior editor at The Atlantic Monthly magazine