But both the casino and the synagogue were attacked and shuttered in the past month as the Israeli-Palestinian relationship deteriorated.
Mr. Barak was also determined to restore the Israeli-Palestinian relationship to a bilateral one, and he did make strides in that direction.
Dr. Ashrawi talked about breaking down the psychological legacy of the occupation that still colors the Israeli-Palestinian relationship.
And they forced a quick test of what the newly restored Israeli-Palestinian relationship could weather, since terrorism has interrupted the peace process many times before.
Contrary to appearances, the Israeli-Palestinian relationship is relatively close at senior levels, with an intimate understanding of each side's political problems.
The fall brought the dispiriting deterioration of the Israeli-Palestinian relationship into ongoing violence.
Whatever the numbers, other officials said, the real point is that the Israeli-Palestinian relationship is about to undergo an important change.
In the initial shock of the rapid unraveling of the Israeli-Palestinian relationship, the Israeli left was stunned into silence.
The New York Times reported that "terrorism" was once again challenging the "Israeli-Palestinian relationship."
Negotiations began while the audience, informed of the reason for the delay, exploded in arguments that reflected the degenerated state of the Israeli-Palestinian relationship.