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This week I read in the Guardian a series of comments which had a familiar ring about them.

"On every level, economically, socially, politically, it's as if we don't exist."

"We live in a country where regular contact with the rest of the world is severely jeopardised."

"There's the issue of direct flights, which are banned, and exports that can't take place and absence from any political platform that might confer recognition."

"Even cultural contacts are restrained." 

"The state that was established with the argument that it would be recognised hasn't happened and will never happen. It's obvious that we will never be able to stand on our feet, or have a say in how this country is run, unless we have a solution."

Yes, these comments describe familiar complaints about the occupied Palestinian territories. Except that they are not, they are about the Turkish area of Cyprus. But there is one major difference between the two situations. While they both seem intractable, there are signs that in Cyprus, the situation may be about to improve.

People often say the Israel-Palestine situation is complicated but it is not - it is very simple. A group of Europeans with the support of the major powers colonised a Middle Eastern nation and expelled much of its population.

People often say the Israel-Palestine situation is complicated but it is not - it is very simple.

And if the problem is simple, the solution should be too. But it has been in the interest of the current Israeli leadership to imply that it is much more complicated, in order to give itself time to achieve the expansion is desires.

And for reasons which are too shameful to contemplate, the current Palestinian leadership seems to collude in that process while paying lip service to protecting Palestinian rights. With two leaders, both of who share the same anti-Palestinian aims, what is the solution? Well, Cyprus has shown the way - get different leaders.

Four weeks ago, Mustafa Akinci, the Turkish Cypriot leader, came into power and tore up the rule-book. The Greek Cypriot leader, Nicos Anastasiades, happens to be someone who shares some of Akinci's aims. As a result, visas for entry to the Turkish area have been abandoned, utilities and services are being reconnected, and crossing-points have been increased and made easier.

Apparently, last month, the two men even strolled arm in arm across the buffer zone between the two parts of the island.

Just imagine that image transposed to Palestine. Whatever Mahmoud Abbas might consider doing, Netanyahu would rather have root canal work without an anaesthetic than stroll arm in arm anywhere with Abbas, unless it was to lead him and the rest of the Palestinians to a ship taking them into exile.

But if another Israeli leader took power - a big 'if,' I admit - and another Palestinian leader united Fateh and Hamas - step forward Mustafa Barghouti - who is to say that a similar transformation could not take place?

There is an old saying in English: "Geography is about maps; history is about chaps." Excusing the sexism, I believe that people underestimate the power of personal intelligence, leadership and contact in solving some of the world's problems.

It was individual actions at a high level that led to the fall of the Berlin Wall, the end of the Soviet Union and peace in Northern Ireland. All of these situations were seen as intractable until people came along who had imagination, intelligence and a burning sense of what is fair and just.

Such people exist in Israel and Palestine, and they are the only hope for justice for the Palestinians. This year Cyprus, next year Palestine?

Opinions expressed in this article remain those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of al-Araby al-Jadeed, its editorial board or staff.