Few in Washington may realize that the issue of U.S. funding for Palestine is the talk of the town in Ramallah and other Palestinian cities. And the talk is not pleasant.

Every expert on the Middle East agrees that the best avenue to a serious breakthrough in Palestinian-Israeli negotiations is quiet, behind-the-scenes negotiations, not public photo-ops.

For the US to be able to help shepherd a serious peace process in the Middle East, America's trust towards the leaders of both parties in the conflict is critical.

Fillipo Grandi was clearly prepared for his new mission: defending and preserving the rights and interests of Palestinian refugees. But despite his preparedness, he was still shocked by what awaited in Jordan.

In the midst of discussions regarding possible scenarios following Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' decision not to run for president, few have paid attention to the larger picture.

Settlement activities including the so-called "right to natural growth" are clearly rejected in the road map agreement which Israel signed to and the Knesset approved.