During the last ten years, little has changed in Israel. Strife still occurs between the Palestinians and Israelis, and the relations between Israel and Lebanon have not come far. An almost apartheid-type state has occurred within the borders of Israel, with Palestinians receiving the brute end of it. Some efforts have been made towards peace, but each seems to end with little accomplishment.

In 1997, one advancement was made -- the city of Hebron in the West Bank was finally turned over to the Palestinians after thirty years of war and arguments. This was Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's first governmental act after the assassination of Rabin. However, in the same year, despite the Palestinian opposition, the Israeli government began construction of a large Jewish neighborhood in the eastern sector of Jerusalem. Yassir Arafat urged the Palestinians to not respond to this act with violence, and a skirmish was avoided. Later that year, though perhaps not in response to the construction, suicide bombers detonated two bombs in western Jerusalem killing 15 people and injuring at least 170 more. Hamas, an extreme Palestinian group claimed responsibility and the Israeli Cabinet had further peace discussions with the PLO thus ceasing all terrorist acts.

In 1998, the peace treaty created between Israel and the PLO was further stalled due to Israel's refusal to abide by the treaty and cede the West Bank to Palestine. Israel refused to pull its troops out of the West Bank unless Palestinians would make reciprocal security pledges, and a year long stale-mate in peace negotiations commenced.

Now, Prime Minister Barak has picked up where Netanyahu left off after the last elections. However, while Netanyahu was planning the WYE Treaty with the PLO, which would permanently cede lands to Palestinians, Barak does not seem to want to follow in these footsteps.