MEET THE PANEL Name: Gilad Kronman Age: 45 Lives: Beer Sheba, Israel Works: Optical engineer

I am not convinced that the Palestinians have really come to terms with Israel's existence.

I don't see any Palestinian saying that they have to make tough compromises and concessions towards Israel.

Have you ever heard of a movement in the Palestinian territories similar to the "Peace Now" movement in Israel?

Palestinians regard themselves as helpless victims, not as a people who can make their own destiny.

They were offered a state in 1948, and now they have to suffer the consequences of their decision not to accept. We all have to live with the consequences of our actions in life.

The Israeli government has not built a new settlement in years. There has been partisan settlement activity and the Israeli government in the past has formally committed itself to removing them.

The idea of dismantling settlements for peace has already proved a horrible failure in the Gaza Strip. Instead of peace, the Israeli public is vulnerable to incessant rocket attacks.

Israel is urged to recognise full Palestinian statehood.

However, the unilateral withdrawal from the strip has not removed the international perception that Israel is responsible for the plight of the Palestinians there.

I have sleepless nights thinking about an armed Palestinian state.

The combination of ruthless suicide bombers, a national Palestinian identity defined by hatred of Israel, an international community that might justify war initiated by the Palestinians if Israel does not withdraw from every millimetre it freed in June 1967 - it's a lethal brew.

As for Syria, it must acknowledge that an aggressor who loses territory in war has lost it for good. Syria was the aggressor in the 1967 war, and Syria lost.

MIDDLE EAST CONFERENCE VIEWS Jonathan, Israel Ayman, West Bank Abdul, Saudi Arabia Faisal, Syria Nadim, Jordan Gilad, Israel Abdullah, Gaza

So long as it refuses to accept this, Syria's motives are too questionable. It must prove clearly that it is reconciled to Israel's existence before attempting a political settlement.

Therefore there is no point in negotiations with Syria at this time.