Will Abbas summit help Middle East peace?

US President George W Bush has pledged $50m in aid for the Palestinian Authority, at a meeting with the Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas.

President Bush also urged Israel to stop settlement expansion and reiterated his commitment to the roadmap for peace.

Mr Abbas, the first Palestinian leader to visit the White House since peace talks collapsed in 2000, said he was more confident about the role the US administration would play in achieving peace.

Do you think the meeting will help advance peace in the Middle East? Do you think the visit will bring about concrete results, or is it more symbolic? Send us your comments.

This debate is now closed. Read a selection of your comments below.

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The following comments reflect the balance of opinion we have received so far:

Arms for Israel, alms for Palestine. What a joke! C Sachidananda Narayanan, India

Arms for Israel, alms for Palestine. What a joke! Will the US have any locus standi to be a peace-broker? The biggest blockade to freedom and peace in Palestine is the US Administration under Mr George W Bush.
C Sachidananda Narayanan, Tirunelveli, India

The choice for Americans is clear: a truly independent and viable Palestinian state with no Israeli settlements, or endless conflict with more than 1.5 billion Muslims and further international isolation. While technology is currently on America's side, demographics are clearly on the Palestinians'. So if the US is serious about preventing another 9/11 or 'War of Civilizations', it had better put some pressure on Israel to end its 38-year occupation.
Frank, Canada

The summit is utter nonsense. As long as the terrorist organizations have not been dismantled, as called for as the Palestinian's first step on the roadmap, there will be no peace. The $50 million is a test to see if Abbas is as corrupt as Arafat was.
Mark, USA

We are a democracy. The simple fact is, that most Americans favour an independent, self-sustaining, Palestinian state. The roadmap is working.
Ross Glen, San Francisco, USA

It will take more effort from Abbas and Sharon to work together towards the path of reconciliation. The Bush administration has to put limitless efforts in resolving the conflict between both sides. Money doesn't solve life's social issues.
Zeedious, Berlin, Germany

Why are we spending $50m in aid for the Palestinians, when the Bush administration wants to cut programs here at home? JD, USA

Why are we spending $50m in aid for the Palestinians, when the Bush administration wants to cut programs here at home? There is something wrong with that picture. Mr President, the American people should come first not the rest of the world. If your going to slash programs here at home, then you had better slash foreign aid.
JD, USA

Mahmood Abbas should give a speech to the Palestinians and elaborate the outcome of his visit and direct aid of George W Bush of $50m which is most fruitful. Mahmood Abbas should request or urge all Palestinians and all groups to be silent and calm as his visit to George W Bush has proved the satisfactory result to establish peace, not only among Palestinian people but among Israelis too. From both sides destruction, attack, killing and all rebellions must be stopped as humanity and must help in progress, cooperate the world leaders as well both leaders to establish peace forever and a new history of peace must be placed to set an example to the world for other countries too.
Patel Ma, Saudi Arabia

It does not take a rocket scientist to know that this meeting was symbolic. This meeting will not help advance peace in the Middle East. There are so many other factors involved that one meeting will not solve anything. There needs to be continued dialogue between all the players involved so action can be taken instead of just continued political rhetoric. What ever happened to diplomacy?
Lara Shbeyr-Maxey, Los Angeles, CA, USA

The direct aid to the PA is definitely a step in improving American popularity in the Middle East and the rest of the world. But the US needs to have a firmer position on Israel to abide by the roadmap set out and put pressure on them for deviating from it. Only then will the Palestinians have a true chance to improve their situation.
Sean Nguyen, Irvine, USA

Perhaps this latest symbolic offering will actually be given to and administered by the Palestinians Diana, Canada

Whether the money will help peace is highly debatable. Perhaps this latest symbolic offering will actually be given to and administered by the Palestinians. A similar aid sum, announced by the president in February, was in fact channelled to Israel to build terminals for goods and people at various checkpoints! To add insult to injury, the US issued a further two million for Palestinian healthcare to be administered, not by Palestinian health organizations, but by an American-based women's' charity group.
Diana, Canada

All contributions and diplomatic acceptances of the Palestinian people, their state and their leader are signs of hope, however, this must not be allowed to be a bogus contribution. The USA must, for once, follow up by putting real pressure on the Israeli government each time they breach international law, violate human rights, and real pressure must be applied in order to remove the wall.
J Jensehaugen, Oslo, Norway

If any president's status has been dramatically escalated it is George W Bush's with his pledge of $50m in direct aid for the Palestinian Authority. Let's hope it happens.
Darren, Ibaraki, Japan

$50m in aid is a starting point and to be paid directly to the PA through NGOs. The money is to be used for housing and basic needs of the Palestinians. Sneering at progress and largesse will not bring anyone closer to peace. In fact, bitterness and resentment of the US will never accomplish anything. Thankfully, Abbas and Sharon have more sense.
Andrea, NY, USA

Talk is cheap. One should watch to see if Abu Mazen has the willingness, ability, and strength to rein in the Palestinian terrorist groups. Given the ongoing commentary on the PA's TV stations, coupled with the continuing attempt by Palestinians to smuggle suicide bombs into Israel, show that there is much work to be done if the new Palestinian administration has any more credibility than the previous one.
Jacob Blues, New York City, US

There can be no peace as long as there is the occupation. Violence begets more violence, and the Israeli occupation is one of the most brutal occupations in history. What good will $50 million spent on housing do if Israel just goes back in and destroys the new houses? Until the IDF and all the settlers (in East Jerusalem and the West Bank) leave Palestinians in peace, and as long as Israel has an apartheid state, there will be instability.
Sarah, Boston, USA

Hopefully we will see similar gestures by other western nations in the near future Todd, Virginia, USA

The $50 million donation to the Palestinians is a major statement that the US is willing to put it's money where it's mouth is. Hopefully we will see similar gestures by other western nations in the near future and more importantly see the Palestinian people realize that America does care and wants peace and freedom for all.
Todd, Virginia, USA

So far, Abbas has been an excellent fund raiser and diplomat. He has yet to exert any influence or control over the many factions who will ultimately determine if peace is pursued or rejected. Either he gains real strength in internal politics or this charade will end in bloodshed.
James, Canada

People seem to be approaching every issue pertaining to Bush's America with a predetermined bent. The two camps are so polarized they appear only to be speaking to those who agreed with their ideals beforehand. America's even speaking to a Palestinian government is a huge step towards legitimizing their statehood so lets just call this what it is, a step in the right direction.
Philip, Ottawa, Canada

Mr Abbas still denies the right of Israel to exist in any form. His own PA funded TV station broadcasts the most virulent and blatant anti-Semitism and lies. He's just like Arafat only he wears a suit. How can he possibly help Middle East peace?
David, Israel

The meeting which resulted in a pledge of aid could indeed help stabilize the Middle East more than the amount suggests. This is a test of what use Abbas and the Palestinians make of the liquidity of such a cash donation. In the long run it would be nice to see Palestinians and Israelis sharing a lot of the funding which goes to the region so that perhaps some day they could in turn help other countries much more than they do today.
Dale Lanan, Longmont, Colorado, USA

US President George W Bush could have given $1 to the Palestinian Authority, it's a symbolic gesture. Giving all the money in the world still wouldn't bring lasting peace unless both sides have mutual trust for one another.
Gordon Alexander, Washington DC

It's obvious by the comments here that no one in Europe really wants peace. The issue at hand it is about how Europeans view and judge America's power.
Michele Nowak, US

Honesty from both sides will bring peace MA Patel, Saudi Arabia

$50m aid is good charity from George W Bush. Mahmoud Abbas has developed well in his leadership. A peace committee should be established between Israel and Palestine leaders. Mahmoud Abbas is well known for his generosity and open heart. Honesty from both sides will bring peace of the highest degree without harming and hurting all mankind.
MA Patel, Saudi Arabia

To Todd, Virginia: If you look at how many dollars were given by what countries to the victims of the Tsunami, you will see that your comment is wrong. It is a good start that President Bush and Palestinian Leader Abbas met. I hope there will be more talks, more changes implemented in both Israel and Palestine. Most importantly, all sides must accept and implement international laws.
Attila, Canada

The USA is berated by the left for supporting a murderous regime in the 80s now the same people want it to fully support of a murderous regime.
Joe

All the proponents of one-state solution for Jews and some other nations should remember how this solution went down in Germany. What will people from Netherlands, UK or Ireland do if it starts happening again in Arab-dominated Israel? At best, some of you will try writing letters of protest to the BBC.
Alex, Chicago

Let's hope the money does not go to the countless Palestinian terror groups or to families of the suicide bombers so they can recruit more. Or the propaganda on Palestinian television. after all Mahmoud Abbas is a well known holocaust denier.
Richard, Hamburg

Peace will not come to this conflict until the Israelis get everything they want. The road map is a con game that has exploited the horrible events of 9/11. Israel periodically incites the Palestinians and then the Palestinians reply and then Israel calls the Palestinians "terrorist" and grab more land or destroy more Palestinian lives. Good luck to Abbas and the Palestinians - they will need it.
Tom La Casse, New York, New York

Hey South Africa, Spain, Germany, England, France, Holland, etc, etc, why not get off your collective backsides and DO something in the Middle East? Because then you'd have to make DECISIONS. And that of course is tough. $50 million is a one-off gift. We also give about $750 per annum to the PA. What's there to show for it? Not much, unless we're funding Palestinian TV re-running holocaust clips.
MW Brown, Chicago, US

I'm not a Bush fan, but the move has symbolic and real value to the extent that it is offered in tandem with pressure on Israel by the Administration. But to dismiss the financial contribution by contrasting it to the $3b given to Israel is unfair. It is a first step.
Patrick, Washington DC

The meeting only reinforces the impression that Israel is a US colony Harry, Amsterdam

The concrete result will be a realisation by the Palestinian electorate that Abbas can get nothing more meaningful from the US than Arafat. He went looking for an unequivocal recognition of the Palestinians right to a sovereign state, didn't get it and was bought off with $50m. The meeting only reinforces the impression that Israel is a US colony and the US government is incapable of acting as an honest broker. The two state solution is going nowhere, the only meaningful solution is the right to return and one sovereign state with an end to religious discrimination. We didn't tolerate apartheid South Africa, why are we tolerating this?
Harry, Amsterdam

$50m is in fact a very small sum, only two thirds of my own country's annual aid to the Palestinians. Compared to US aid to Israel it is nothing. But Bush clearly shows trust in the new leadership, which is of great symbolic value. I hope he will continue this policy, and also that he will demand further measures from the Israelis to combat extremism among their own people.
Jonas, Stockholm, Sweden

The Israelis are determined to secure peace on their terms only. They are unilaterally trying to segregate themselves from the Palestinians. This policy will force Palestinians further into poverty and hopelessness ensuring no peace and prosperity for the region. Unfortunately the US as a key ally of Israel will facilitate this objective behind the Palestinian leader's back.
Shane McDaniel, Dublin, Ireland

Israel is getting $3bn a year while Palestinian Authority (PA) is getting a paltry $50m. PA is suffering from a serious shortage of funds and in need of new funds to keep the Palestinian economy afloat. But with $50m, what can Abbas do? Even if Bush urged Israel to stop settlement expansion and reiterated his roadmap to peace, Palestinians will never get the $3bn Israel receives every year. Mahmoud Abbas risks being just a figure head if he can't get the funds fast since this is an urgent issue for the Palestinians.
Firdaus, Singapore

The visit is more of a symbolic move than anything else Dwayne Chastain, West Jefferson, Ohio

I think the visit is more of a symbolic move than anything else. The Palestinians image in America is still tarnished by the image's of Palestinians dancing in the streets after the 9/11 attacks. If Mr Abbas can prove to America that Palestinians will be a stable player on the world stage and not a terrorist state, I am sure that America will throw its support behind them.
Dwayne Chastain, West Jefferson, Ohio

I think the visit at least provides an invaluable chance to achieve peace in the Middle East. Talking can lead to communication which then may result in reconciliation. I hope the meeting between the two leaders represents light at the end of the tunnel.
R Chan, Hong Kong

Will the meeting help advance peace? Yes. At least the parties involved think so. However, unless the PA can reform its administration and bring Hamas fully into the political process (ie close down the Hamas militia) the peace efforts will not be fruitful. And Israel has to decide whether it wants peace or settlements (ie control the armed settler groups and withdraw settlements as part of the final agreement). And those requirements are something that, ultimately, Bush and the Americans can't make happen. It's up to Abbas and Sharon and the people they represent.
Calcy Uberstein, Santa Barbara, CA, USA

Bush's focus on Israel dismantling "illegal outposts" is yet another attempt by the US to legitimise illegal settlement activity on occupied land. All settlements are illegal under international law and their removal must be enforced upon Israel by the US.
Tarek, London, UK

Is the Middle East conflict profitable? If the answer is yes, those that value profit more than life will always advance it.
Haggai Sichalwe, Lusaka, Zambia

All men are equal and some are more equal than others it seems Jon Danforth, London

3 billion for the Israelis every year. 50 million for the Palestinians. All men are equal and some are more equal than others it seems.
Jon Danforth, London

Bush does not face any re-election, so we must all seize this moment and make the best of it. The US can and will only do so much. Its time for the Europeans and Asians that readily criticise the US to show they have more to contribute than complain about.
Ife Ebenuwa, Illinois USA

The so called road map to peace is just another initiative that is bound to fail. It won't be until the US administration acts as an honest broker that there will be any chance of peace. If only Bush would spend some of his so called political "capital" on this matter.
David S, UK

Abbas sure seems a more diligent and serious man than his predecessor, I hope good things come out of his administration in the long run. As far as US aid, it never ceases to amaze me how other countries love to stand on the sidelines and criticise anything the US does. America sure must be one despicable and rotten country.
David Sepulveda, Germany

This meeting was purely symbolic and has no practical impact on the situation. The US claims to be a neutral broker but they still give $2.5 billion in aid to Israel each year and despite Bush's words the settlements are still being built. More concrete steps need to be taken to ensure that Israel complies with its obligations under the roadmap.
Simon Murphy, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Money can't make all the difference. The more important thing is to win the hearts and minds of the people by listening to what they want.
Rahul Gladwin, Chicago, USA

Ending the terror will bring peace, but Abbas did not even address terror in his speech Inna Tysoe, Sacramento, USA

Ending the terror will bring peace, but Abbas did not even address terror in his speech.
Inna Tysoe, Sacramento, USA

The one-off $50m is just a drop in the ocean compared for instance to the $5525m that Israel received in 1997 in economic/military aid and loan guarantees. Until the US adopts a more even-handed approach (economically, militarily and politically) there will be no peace in the middle east.
Brian Bailey, Winterthur, Switzerland

I, as a Palestinian American hope that President Bush is sincere in his warnings to Israel. A warning or demand without veto is nothing but a waste in itself. There can be peace between both peoples as long as the fairness is balanced. I pray for the day a Palestinian state is created with security and freedom for all.
Abed, Chicago, US

Why not fund a program to monitor the ceaseless preaching of hatred and incitement to murder which is central to Palestinian TV? Or why not confront the Palestinian 100% non-compliance rate regarding their commitments under the Oslo accords? How can Israel be expected to make peace with a partner with such a track record?
David Reid, Spain

This is a test. Bush wants to see what Abbas does with the money. That will decide the peace process more than anything.
Conor, Chicago

All that this indicates is that the US still believes that the best way to end the Israeli occupation of Palestine is to keep adding pressure on the Palestinians. Don't tell me that you expect the US actions in the Middle East to be based on logic and reason, unless you've been in a coma for the last fifty years.
Gary Chiles, Wellington, New Zealand

Todd, are you aware what the EU contributes? It is not about bashing someone; take a look at the military spending and humanitarian help. You cannot argue with the solid numbers. The truth is: the Pentagon is the ruler of the USA and will support democracy as long as it serves its interests.
Stefan Kirov, Knoxville, TN

A path to peace can and must be found; both sides must show respect for each other Edwin Ali, Florida, USA

Abbas has little choice but to work closely with the President of the US who is doing his best to forge peace between the two warring cousins of the Middle East. A path to peace can and must be found; both sides must show respect for each other.
Edwin Ali, Florida, USA

With Abbas, Bush now has trust enough that the money will go to where it's intended: the Palestinian street. This one pledge may not have any immediate effect on the peace process, but if such aid is continued over time, daily life for the Palestinians will improve, which can only help in the cause of peace.
Brian, Los Angeles, USA

This summit, apart from the enormous symbolic importance of a US president meeting with a Palestinian one, represents a new rapprochement between the PA and the US! Therefore I applaud it! It also has long-term strategic implications. Whether it helps achieve peace is up to Abbas.
P Bolton, US

US aid is notorious for having disingenuous conditions attached - for instance millions for Aids medication, on condition it's spent on brand-name drugs. What conditions are attached to this $50m?
Ches, Cape Town, South Africa

Before there is peace, the Palestinian people will need to trust Abbas' government. Currently there is too much corruption and nepotism in Palestinian politics. It doesn't matter how much money is spent, if the ordinary Palestinian does not see improvements with jobs, education and health institutions, they will believe there is no choice but to get violent.
Angel, Brooklyn, USA

There is a glimmer of hope if all parties concede and truly want peace Dan, Illinois, USA

The situation at times seems so hopeless. There is a glimmer of hope if all parties concede and truly want peace. The $50 million is inconsequential if there is no commitment from all sides.
Dan, Illinois, USA

The hope for peace can be rekindled if the Palestinians view this gesture as sincere. However, if our $50m is met with cynicism or fears of "US imperialism" - it was all for nothing.
Sam Sarullo, Chicago, USA

I just hope all those that bash America at every turn also give their $50 million for the cause. It may be hard to comprehend, but America does more good and pursues democracy and peace more than any nation on our little planet.
Todd, Virginia, USA

Can there be a Middle East peace as long as the US and Israel act together to control the region? I don't think so.
Mehmet, USA