Ehud Barak is looking forward to peace negotiations in Annapolis, Maryland, next week. The former Israeli prime minister, who is now defense minister, says there’s a “high chance” for success in these talks with the Palestinians and other parties. The Jerusalem Post reported,

“There is a high chance that it [the summit] will succeed,” he said. “It will begin the process.” …Barak said he did not believe a “wave of terror” would erupt in Israel if the summit failed. But he warned “inaction” could prove more dangerous than action. “All dialogue is important and we have a moral responsibility—from a security and diplomatic point of view—to find a peaceful way,” he said.

Barak has also expressed his desire that Syria attend the conference. “In principle it is important to keep the door open for the Syrians so that when the time comes we will be able to negotiate with them,” he said.

It is difficult to understand just what buoys this man’s optimism. He watched a similar peace conference explode in his face seven years ago, and that under conditions that were just the same or even more favorable than those surrounding the one next week.

For example, the leader of the Palestinians, both then and now, refuses to disarm terrorists or end the incitement against Israel perpetuated in Palestinian schools and on tv. In this case, though, a large percentage of the Palestinians have already defected from his leadership to join with Hamas, an even more dangerous organization. Thus, even if a deal is struck in Annapolis, it will only be struck with half the Palestinians. (Read our November-December cover story, “Can This Man Save Israel?” to learn more.) The more violent half will go on doing what it has always done.

Meanwhile, Syria continues to help sponsor Israeli-based Palestinian terrorist groups. Damascus was a major supporter of Hezbollah’s war against Israel last year. No significant statements from Syria—let alone actions—suggest there has been any change of heart in Syria’s leaders since that disaster, and therefore no reason to trust Damascus to uphold its end of any kind of compromise arrangement.

After so much failure, it is remarkable that Israeli leaders continue to put faith in the peace process. History alone shows the disaster that such negotiations produce—but biblical prophecy gives an even clearer description of the outcome we can expect. To learn about it, read Jerusalem in Prophecy.