Peace Plan Stirs Old Tensions

It may look like a major accomplishment in Washington, but the Mideast interim peace accord signed Friday brought no dancing in Palestinian or Israeli streets, reports CBS News Correspondent Allen Pizzey.

The road has been too long, the achievements too modest, and much mistrust remains to be overcome.

The deal will give the Palestinians a few more trappings and tokens of statehood -- the possibility of a port of their own, along with an airport and an industrial zone. They'll end up with a little more land on the West Bank, but their towns will remain isolated islands amidst Israeli settlements.

"It is going to be partial and it's going to be superficial," says Hanan Ashrawi of the Palestinian National Council. "The substantive issues are still there, the causes of the conflict and grievances are still there."

For their part, the Palestinians promise to crack down on militants who advocate violence against Israel. That was a key Israeli demand, and for the first time, America will act as a guarantor.

U.S. officials will watch over the Palestinian authority police. However, the Israeli right wing does not trust the Palestinians no matter who is watching them, and the agreement threatens to turn Israeli politics upside down.

Ironically, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's staunchest foes in the peace camp pledge to help him push the deal through parliament.

"In such a case he is not only a prime minister, but also a national leader," says Hagai Merom. "And it's not so easy for me to say it."

On the other hand, Netanyahu's nationalist and religious coalition partners say they've been betrayed and may bring his government down and force new elections.

Perhaps the most important effect of the agreement is the fact that the peace process so many were ready to give up on will stagger on.

A right wing Israeli government has finally realized that there is no alternative to the equation of land for peace.

Reported By Allen Pizzey