The Walls of Jerusalem

I read an article entitled Israel's West Bank Barrier: An Impediment to Peace? by Shaul E. Cohen. The articled analyzed how Israel's construction of barriers both around and through the West Bank affects prospects for peace. One point brought up by Cohen that surprised me is how some of the most extreme hawks in the Israeli government are actually opposed to the construction of the separation barriers. They believe that physically separating Israel from Palestinian lands limits the chance that they can eventually be taken for Israel.
Overall Cohen takes the stance that the barriers are detrimental for the peace process. Encircling Palestinian communities, and having the barriers move beyond the border demarcated by the green line complicates the creation of a fully independent Palestinian state. By creating a new division a situation develops where people are less eager to support a peace deal. Cohen believes that Israel's construction of the separation barriers has increased the security of the state at the expense of lessening chances for lasting peace.
While I agree with Cohen's point, I do not see the barriers as being the main impediments to peace today. The first problem would be a lack of interest in Israel to halt further settlement construction and really work towards a two state solution. The Palestinian leadership is the other problem. It is unwise to refuse to negotiate with the Israelis unless they freeze settlement construction. The Palestinian leadership should at least try to negotiate with the Israelis to see what gains can be made. It is understandable how Palestinians do not want to see the size of any prospective state shrink, but refusing to negotiate nearly guarantees that a two state solution will not materialize.