Conventional wisdom would have it that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is essentially a land dispute over of what was once British-mandated Palestine. Given a modicum of mutual goodwill, it is assumed that the conflict could readily be resolved, with each side settling for somewhat less than its maximum demands. Many observers believe that the contours of such a settlement are already in place. Once Israel concedes almost all of the West Bank and East Jerusalem, the Palestinians, anxious for a state of their own and realising that a viable military option is not available, would fall into line by agreeing to…