The new Palestinians

the long version

The whole world is watching as the Middle East meets at the conference table. The names and faces on the Israeli team are familiar, but who are the Palestinian negotiators and where did they come from? John and Janet Wallach, American journalists with extraordinary access and credentials, have written a thoughtful examination of this emerging generation of leaders. The Wallachs examine the complex dynamics that cause the new Palestinians to be profoundly affected by Israeli society, even as they oppose the Israeli government. Here are the profiles of twelve Palestinians poised to inherit the leadership of a future Palestinian government. From Hanan Ashrawi, whose eloquence and credentials as a university professor have caused some to see her as the Golda Meir of the Palestinians; to Faisal Husseini, a childhood protege of Yassar Arafat and scion of one of the most elite Palestinian families; to Zahira Kamal, founder of the Women's Work Committee and a new breed of Arab woman; to Ziad Abu Zayyad, an influential Palestinian journalist - here are the ones to watch.