Well, at least in part of the middle-east, maybe, where the U.S. isn’t busy fighting a war on terror, or drugs. Promising news from the middle east?

As part of recent negotiations between the sides, Deputy Vice Prime Minister Haim Ramon has proposed turning over many of the Arab neighborhoods of east Jerusalem to the Palestinians. Ramon said the Palestinians could establish the capital of a future state in the sector of the city, which Israel captured from Jordan in the 1967 Mideast war.

You mean the same 1967 war when Israel was busy torpedoing the U.S.S. Liberty, a marked American vessel? Follow the link (7 pages via the Chicago Tribune) if you want to fill your daily recommended dose of conspiracy theory. But I digress.

Part of the concession calls for other Arab states to recognize Israeli sovereignty over their portion of the City, which seems like a tall order, especially given the frequent antics of the Arab statesmen (Ahmadinejad, I’m calling you on this). But Iran – like Iraq before her – is likely populated by people who are largely disinterested, or even pro-Westernization, even if the latter means accepting Israel as a legitimate entity. Unfortunately, the ones who feel this way are often suppressed. In Iran, for instance, student groups recently protested Ahmadinejad with “Death to Dictator!” chants, amidst allegations that his party suppresses free speech.

Even in these backwards countries, there are still people who grow up and understand that what lies outside the confines of their homeland is genuine opportunity.

Plus, they love our 1980’s American rock music, which they just got last week.

In all seriousness, and without another “Family Guy” reference, handing over the Palestinian portions of Jerusalem ought to be priority of the first order, which would of course logically be followed by no further Israeli expropriations, and ideally relinquishing most or all of the land seized from evicted Palestinians or otherwise claimed as “abandoned” during their exile or refuge. Until then, allowing at least a modicum of self-governance, removing the Apartheid-esque conditions under which Palestinians currently live in Jerusalem proper, and recognizing their right to exist, is a step in the right direction.