Big Deal?

The agreement gives the Palestinians control over a border for the first time and provides a much-needed boost to the shattered Gaza economy. The deal also strengthens Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas ahead of January 25 parliament elections and could help him fend off a strong challenge by the Islamic militant group Hamas.

Rice and international Mideast envoy James Wolfensohn badly wanted Israel and the Palestinian leadership to use Israel's unilateral withdrawal from the Gaza last summer as traction for tougher peace negotiations down the road.

Cooperation flagged in recent weeks, and Rice's two days of meetings in Jerusalem and the West Bank were meant to push the two sides to settle nitty-gritty disputes over Palestinian movement in and out of the territory they now control. "Underneath what may seem like very small details there are hard issues," Rice told reporter.

One has to wonder what difference opening up the border between Gaza and Israel will make. Will more terrorists be able to get through to attack Israelis while they eat, dance, or go about their business on buses? Will the Palestinian Authority keep their end of the bargain? Will this deal help the PA retain their power in upcoming 'elections,' only to watch the PA look the other way as the terror groups resume their offensive against Israel.

My guess? There will be more terrorist attacks and the PA will not keep their end of the bargain.

Why am I pessimistic? Simple.

Those who forget their history are doomed to repeat it. The PA has never lived up to its obligations, and there's no reason to suspect that this time would be any different. The terrorist groups haven't changed their position at all, and there's no reason to think that they wouldn't take this opportunity to try and infiltrate into Israel to launch more terror attacks.