Mr. Levy, do you feel the Annapolis peace conference signals the beginning of a new era, or has it been just been a question of hand-shaking?

It’s not just hand-shaking, but it’s not a new era either. It might be a beginning, but the chances are small. On the other hand, we’ve had so many other opportunities like Annapolis in the past that no one even remembers anymore. For example, who remembers ‘Wye Plantation’ (an agreement signed in 1998 between the then Israeli Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Arafat, with US President Bill Clinton as witness)? Or other conferences either here or in the US. Even Oslo is forgotten now. So, considering the past, I wouldn’t have too many expectations. It could be a start point, but it all depends now on what the two leaders decide to do.

Mr. Olmert and Mr. Abbas are both weak leaders: in the Israeli Parliament, parties such as the right wing Shas and Yisrael Beitenu, threaten to walk out of the coalition while Gaza has, since June, been under the control of Hamas.

Yes, undoubtedly they are both weak. But even strong leaders in the past haven’t done much. And then look at South Africa – President Frederik Willem De Klerk was, at his time, quite weak, but he was able to carry out a revolution.

So, when will we be able to see whether or not the two leaders have serious intentions and a strong enough will to begin a peace process?

In a few weeks. The real outcome of Annapolis conference will be seen here in the occupied territories. If there are no changes here, nothing will change anywhere. If Gaza continues to be segregated, a prison, nothing will come out of the talks. I’m not very optimistic. The key is in Israeli hands. Israel is the occupier and Israel has to take the first step. If Israel doesn’t take the first step, then, I assure you, nothing will be resolved.

So what do you think Israel should do in practical terms?

Open un Gaza and remove checkpoints – some kind of action which demonstrates its good intentions. Don’t forget that they are holding over 10,000 Palestinians prisoner. I believe that Mr. Olmert really does want to make peace, but if he doesn’t put all those wonderful words he pronounced at Annapolis into action, then they remain meaningless.

Do you think that Iran is now more isolated?

Yes, certainly, but I hope that this will not be the main outcome of this conference. Because the future of Iran also depends on peace in the Middle East. Real peace in the Middle East will isolate Iran much more.

Saudi Arabia seems to play a key role in the negotiations: do you really trust Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Al-Faisal or do think he is merely playing along with the US?

I don’t care whether or not Saudi Arabia does a favour to the US. I don’t think Saudi Arabia is so important in this context. The core issue now is, and must be, lasting peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians, and between Israel and Syria. These are the main goals. If these are achieved then everything else is secondary.

Talking about Syria, a few days ago the US National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley said that it is difficult to see how Syria can fit into the peace process because of its support for Hamas and Hezbollah.

It is exactly for the reasons that Mr. Hadley explained that we should make peace with Syria. I think the Americans have, for a long time, been preventing Israel from even attempting to make peace with Syria. Listen, peace with Syria can be achieved within one hour because everything is very very clear. And Syria has long been signalling that it wants peace. I’m just afraid that Israeli leaders are using the US as an excuse not to make peace. I think peace could be achieved very easily and it is an important course.

When have Israelis and Palestinian been a stone’s throw away from peace?

For sure in Camp David, in 2000. Then Mr. Barak and Mr. Arafat at least had the courage to deal with the main issues and to think about an overall solution. They didn’t want to take small steps which lead nowhere. In order to make a change you have to take a big step, and you either have the courage to do it or not. Barak and Arafat tried hard. But I’m afraid that Olmert and Abbas won’t have the same courage.