Strong words from a UK newspaper
Strong words from a UK newspaper
The fate of Palestine is in the hands of one man
The Telegraph UK
[..]The Palestinian Authority is deeply compromised, both by political and financial corruption and by evident links with terrorism; it also seeks a strategic outcome (Israel's return to its 1949 boundaries) which is unacceptable in the eyes of the world. But, for all that, the PA remains the representative authority of the Palestinian people and a signatory to international accords recognising the right of Israel to exist. Hamas, on the other hand, actively seeks the disappearance of Israel from the face of the earth.
Only the PA's flag should fly in Gaza. Infested by terrorists, blasted by poverty, it is an unpropitious place to start a state. But it is here that the embryonic polity known as "Palestine" must mature, if peace is to come to the Middle East. And while further Israeli concessions in the West Bank are necessary, the PA must not imagine that the final status for the region will include a greatly shrunken Israel. Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian leader, should concentrate on making a success of Gaza rather than grandstanding about the West Bank and Jerusalem.
Success in Gaza will require the active suppression of Hamas. It is an instructive irony that the current development holds out the best prospect for a viable Palestinian state since the Camp David talks in 2000. Then, amid an internationally-organised peacefire, the leaders of the two sides were hosted by the American President amid much fanfare.
This week, after a security operation of overwhelming force, a decision taken unilaterally by the Israelis is being implemented while the world stands by and watches. Ariel Sharon has shown that progress does not require a handshake on the White House lawn - it requires courage to face down your own zealots. The sequel to the drama must be reciprocal action by Mr Abbas.
Posted by Ted Belman at August 16, 2005 04:05 PM
Trackback Pings
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.israpundit.com/mt-tb.cgi/10028
Strong words from a UK newspaper
The fate of Palestine is in the hands of one man
The Telegraph UK
[..]The Palestinian Authority is deeply compromised, both by political and financial corruption and by evident links with terrorism; it also seeks a strategic outcome (Israel's return to its 1949 boundaries) which is unacceptable in the eyes of the world. But, for all that, the PA remains the representative authority of the Palestinian people and a signatory to international accords recognising the right of Israel to exist. Hamas, on the other hand, actively seeks the disappearance of Israel from the face of the earth.
Only the PA's flag should fly in Gaza. Infested by terrorists, blasted by poverty, it is an unpropitious place to start a state. But it is here that the embryonic polity known as "Palestine" must mature, if peace is to come to the Middle East. And while further Israeli concessions in the West Bank are necessary, the PA must not imagine that the final status for the region will include a greatly shrunken Israel. Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian leader, should concentrate on making a success of Gaza rather than grandstanding about the West Bank and Jerusalem.
Success in Gaza will require the active suppression of Hamas. It is an instructive irony that the current development holds out the best prospect for a viable Palestinian state since the Camp David talks in 2000. Then, amid an internationally-organised peacefire, the leaders of the two sides were hosted by the American President amid much fanfare.
This week, after a security operation of overwhelming force, a decision taken unilaterally by the Israelis is being implemented while the world stands by and watches. Ariel Sharon has shown that progress does not require a handshake on the White House lawn - it requires courage to face down your own zealots. The sequel to the drama must be reciprocal action by Mr Abbas.
Posted by Ted Belman at August 16, 2005 04:05 PM