MEET THE PANEL Name: Abdullah Qaffa Age: 27 Lives: Gaza Works: Student

The Palestinians have been suffering and asking for such a conference for many years - but no-one answered.

Q: Do you believe all three leaders, George Bush, Ehud Olmert and Mahmoud Abbas are acting in good faith?

A: Bush is leaving office soon and his term was full of difficulty and failure: in Iraq, Afghanistan and even in Palestine where we are enduring our most violent and critical time in years. So he wants to hide his failures with this fake conference.

I think Abbas is serious about peace and finding a solution - that is why he went to the conference. But Olmert and Bush just talk without making anything happen. We are sick and tired of this, it's been going on for years.

Q: Do you believe that Olmert and Abbas are able to make the sort of compromises Bush has referred to?

A: No-one in Abbas' government is against a good solution with Israel, but I think some ministers in Olmert's government warn him against signing any agreement or solution with the Palestinians. So Olmert can't satisfy Bush's words - but Abbas can.

MIDEAST CONFERENCE VIEWS Jonathan, Israel Faysal, Syria Nadim, Jordan Gilad, Israel Abdullah, Gaza

Q: Did you hear anything new from the leaders that gives you cause for optimism?

A: No. They are just repeating themselves. Also, another reason why we are not hopeful is that Bush and Olmert are against the unity of the Palestinians. They warn Abbas to not deal with Hamas or to make a government with them.

Bush and Olmert were against the unity government between Hamas and Fatah. A solution which doesn't include Hamas and the other Palestinian parties will never work.

Q: How likely is it do you think that the Palestinians and the Israelis can agree on a final deal by the end of 2008?

A: Our problem has existed for many years without a solution. I can't believe one will be reached within a year. It's so complex.

Q: What are the consequences for Israel and the Palestinians if this becomes another failed attempt at a final settlement?

A: Israel wants to destroy Hamas at whatever cost, so I think they will make life harder still for us in the Gaza Strip one way or another.

They will kill more, strengthen the boycott, keep the pressure on Abbas not to accept Hamas - and this will divide us more and more.