Modus vivendi:
- manner of living; way of life; lifestyle.
- a temporary arrangement between persons or parties pending a settlement of matters in debate. [Dictionary.com]
Noted in “The latest violence between Israel and Palestinians will end when both sides can declare victory. But it will be no more than a truce,” Tim Lister, CNN/World:
In some ways this suits both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas. Through confrontation they reinforce their respective bases and hollow out voices of moderation. Hamas can claim it is the true representative of Palestinians — just as the aging President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, postpones elections. Were negotiations — promoted by the international community — to restart, Hamas would be the loser as its modus vivendi is armed resistance to the Jewish state.
