Spring Break
Israel, Palestine moving foward
Issue date: 2/17/05 Section: Commentary
Since Mahmoud Abbas took office as president of the Palestinian Authority on Jan. 15, Palestine and Israel have resumed diplomatic talks. After four years of war between the two, it is time to consider peace. In fact, a mutual truce was declared on Feb. 1.
Right now, the talks have proceeded according to a familiar script. It is certainly not the first time Israeli and Palestinian leaders have met to discuss peace and the possibility of a legitimate Palestinian state. Nevertheless, two major differences in this attempt make the outcome a bit more hopeful.
First, Yasir Arafat is dead and Mahmoud Abbas has replaced him, elected on a platform of non-violence. Second, for the first time, both Abbas and Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon are prepared to confront the most radical and powerful groups in their respective lands that currently prevent peace.
In Israel, Sharon is ready to dismantle settlements in the lands that were Palestinian until 1967, specifically Gaza and the West Bank. The settlements are illegal under international law, but have grown in recent years. Currently, 7 percent of Israelis live in them and "about half of those settlers are religiously and ideologically motivated," according to The New York Times, and some are violent.
Despite the settlements' numbers and power, about 72 percent of Israelis are willing to dismantle almost all of them to ensure peace. Even with pressure from Likud rightists in his government, Sharon was on good political ground when he announced plans to pull all settlers out from Gaza this summer. Abbas declared that pledge "a good sign to start with."
Abbas also faces challenges from radical opposition, specifically Hamas and Islamic Jihad. So far, they have supported the recent truce. But the groups, especially Hamas, have become far too entrenched in Palestinian society to be destroyed. Abbas views their antagonism as democratic opposition. He would like to incorporate them into the government of a new state.
Understandably, some in Israel's government are fearful of integrating Hamas and giving them political legitimacy. However, this could be the step required to get their cooperation for the peace with Israel necessary for a Palestinian state. It just has to be handled carefully. Hamas already has the support of the people, now they just need to put down their weapons. If they renounce violence, they should be allowed to join the Palestinian Authority.
With Sharon using a firm hand to remove Israeli settlers from former Palestinian lands and Abbas and the Palestinian Authority cooperating with a firmly nonviolent Hamas, peace between the two leaders could be closer than ever. Of course, there are still many details that need to be worked out, especially the status of Jerusalem, but there is new reason to have hope that this time, peace is possible.
Right now, the talks have proceeded according to a familiar script. It is certainly not the first time Israeli and Palestinian leaders have met to discuss peace and the possibility of a legitimate Palestinian state. Nevertheless, two major differences in this attempt make the outcome a bit more hopeful.
First, Yasir Arafat is dead and Mahmoud Abbas has replaced him, elected on a platform of non-violence. Second, for the first time, both Abbas and Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon are prepared to confront the most radical and powerful groups in their respective lands that currently prevent peace.
In Israel, Sharon is ready to dismantle settlements in the lands that were Palestinian until 1967, specifically Gaza and the West Bank. The settlements are illegal under international law, but have grown in recent years. Currently, 7 percent of Israelis live in them and "about half of those settlers are religiously and ideologically motivated," according to The New York Times, and some are violent.
Despite the settlements' numbers and power, about 72 percent of Israelis are willing to dismantle almost all of them to ensure peace. Even with pressure from Likud rightists in his government, Sharon was on good political ground when he announced plans to pull all settlers out from Gaza this summer. Abbas declared that pledge "a good sign to start with."
Abbas also faces challenges from radical opposition, specifically Hamas and Islamic Jihad. So far, they have supported the recent truce. But the groups, especially Hamas, have become far too entrenched in Palestinian society to be destroyed. Abbas views their antagonism as democratic opposition. He would like to incorporate them into the government of a new state.
Understandably, some in Israel's government are fearful of integrating Hamas and giving them political legitimacy. However, this could be the step required to get their cooperation for the peace with Israel necessary for a Palestinian state. It just has to be handled carefully. Hamas already has the support of the people, now they just need to put down their weapons. If they renounce violence, they should be allowed to join the Palestinian Authority.
With Sharon using a firm hand to remove Israeli settlers from former Palestinian lands and Abbas and the Palestinian Authority cooperating with a firmly nonviolent Hamas, peace between the two leaders could be closer than ever. Of course, there are still many details that need to be worked out, especially the status of Jerusalem, but there is new reason to have hope that this time, peace is possible.