In an interview with Middle East Progress, Robert Drumheller, vice president of structured finance for the Overseas Private Investment Corporation that works with the Palestinians, discusses the importance of a viable economy for the success of the peace process. Many analysts contend that many issues, such as the right of return, would no longer be relevant as long as the Palestinian economy thrived. Notably, Drumheller states:
“I would think that in practical terms, probably the biggest political development could be on the high number of checkpoints. Clearly, if you can minimize the checkpoints or at least develop some solution to move commercial goods in an expedited manner through checkpoints, that would make a big difference. No question about that. I think the other issues, that is Jerusalem, or the refugee status, or where the borders are going to be, to me, they’re much more political issues. To develop an economy that could grow, that is on an integrated basis trading with Israel, or trading with other partners, such as Jordan, could be done within the current situation provided some progress is made on checkpoints.”
