To delay negotiations until Palestinian democracy matured would only persuade Palestinians that diplomacy was a ruse and give many a reason to turn to violence. After more than a half-century of Israeli-Palestinian conflict, translating opportunity into reality will be difficult enough without introducing new requirements that, however desirable, are not essential.
作为回应，巴勒斯坦也应该做出保证，坚决放弃使用暴力和恐怖主义。然而，美国不该以领土归还和实现和平为前提条件，来帮助巴勒斯坦建立一个完全民主的国家。不断拖延谈判直至巴勒斯坦的民主体系成熟的做法，只会让巴勒斯坦人相信民主只是一种诡计，并给他们足够的理由重拾暴力手段。经过半个多世纪的巴以冲突，如果不引入某些必备条件，再好的机遇也难以转变为现实，尽管这些条件悦人心仪，但却并非必不可缺。