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The resumption of direct Israeli-Palestinian negotiations that is projected for September 2 in Washington serves a number of useful purposes. Sadly, none of them is directly connected to the effort to "resolve all final status issues" trumpeted in statements by the Quartet and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

One advantage of these talks for Israel is that their very existence is good for Israeli- American relations. As Gen. David Petraeus explained not too long ago, a peace process facilitates improved US-Arab relations that in turn ease the task of American forces in the Middle East. And that reduces the potential for US resentment against Israel. This explains ...