4 May 1999 and Palestinian statehood: To declare or not to declare?

After examining the legacy of Oslo, particularly the structure of the peace process and the pattern of negotiations that has emerged since the advent of the Likud coalition, the author analyzes the Palestinian option of unila terally declaring a Palestinian state on 4 May 1999 and the various scenari os that might ensue. Concluding that the declaration would benefit the Isra elis not the Palestinians, he then stretches out possible alternatives that remain for the Palestinians with the ending of the transitional period.