This article was originally meant to deal with a glimmer of light that the new Palestinian Unity government could bring about a brighter Palestinian future. Unfortunately, before I began writing, an Israeli utility worker was shot and seriously wounded on Monday near a Gaza/Israel crossing. Hamas claimed responsibility for the shooting and two mortar attacks, causing no casualties. Whether this has extinguished the light completely or not remains to be seen, but it has certainly slowed the momentum which seemed to finally be swinging in the Palestinians' favour.
Firstly, there is hope in the fact that the new Unity government is giving birth to the first real signs of disagreement between Israel and the Bush administration. Israel is suggesting the Unity government receive the same treatment as its Hamas predecessor, i.e., financial strangulation and literal starvation in the form of an aid embargo while Israel withholds tax revenues. In short, financial sanctions that usually only the U.N. Security Council can impose but as usual, Israel and the U.S. can do what they want. The embargo will continue until the Palestinians succumb to three demands and thussurrender the little dignity they have left. The three demands are to renounce violence, recognize Israel's right to exist, and adhere to interim peace agreements, none of which are reciprocated by Israel.
The U.S. advocates continuance of the policy enacted before the Mecca unity deal was reached, i.e., excluding Hamas completely from any negotiations, meetings or peace process, and dealing only with members of the more moderate Fatah party within the Unity government. This is still the wrong track, but the Bush administration disagreeing with Israel for the first time over dealing with the Palestinian government suggests that peace may be becoming more of an administration priority than keeping Israel sweet.
Israel's pressure for the world to maintain the financial force-field around the Palestinian Authority has continued since the new Unity government was announced, and amplified since then. The force-field is struggling to hold. The world knows how long the Palestinians have tried and failed to reach unity and refuses to ignore, or worse, as Israel wants, continue to punish them for what can only be viewed as a step in the right direction.
Article comments
1 - Zvi Swerdlove
This article contains a strange statement: that Israel does not reciprocate regarding the demands for Hamas to renounce violence, recognize Israel's right to exist and adhere to interim agreements. Strange because Israel a) has never advocated violence, b) recognizes the right of the Palestinians to have a state, and c) signed all those interim agreements. So why does it have to "reciprocate"?
Moreover, the fact that Hamas militants are currently carrying out violent attacks and its leadership taking responsibility for them is more than a stumbling stone slowing momentum. It is proof that Israel is absolutely right to continue boycotting the new Palestinian government.
Over the years, the Israeli government has outlawed Jewish militant groups, disarmed them and imprisoned members guilty of violence. The Hamas government permits armed militant groups to operate and has officially announced it will never prevent them from carrying out attacks on Israel, even when Hamas itself is pledged to a cease fire. So what, exactly, is Israel supposed to negotiate about with them?
2 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
Zvi,
There is a huge constituency out there that does not believe in this country's right to exist. That is what Israel's "leaders" are supposed to negotiate about. In short, the Jewish steer is supposed to beg the Arab butcher to allow it to live. That, in a sentence, is the stance of this huge constituency that would end Jewish sovereignty over its own land.
Their bottom line: the Jews stole Arab land and they should get the hell out. That is what Hamas, HizbAllah, and the Iranians all advocate.
The PLO advocates the same thing, but has taken a page out of Ben-Gurion's book and pursues a strategy of stages for the elimination of Israel, with the intent of impoverishing as many people as it can along the way. Google up names like Yossi Ginosar, Weisglas, Martin Schlaf, etc. and check for the links between them and the near dead Ariel Sharon, and other politicians in Israel.
It is the pursuit of this strategy of stages that prevented Yasser Arafat from accepting a very good deal from Ehud Barak in July 2000. Arafat wanted it all.
So, the very strange statement in Liam's article makes sense, particularly when you consider that his market is an Arab readership. Nothing Israel does or has done would be enough save its own suicide and turning over the keys of the country to the PA.
For my own point of view on all of this you can read my own articles on events in this neck of the woods. Just go to my writer's page.
3 - Liam Bailey
Zvi:
Are you retarded? I feel I should wait for you to answer before I respond, in case your outright stupidity isn't your fault.
Nah, right.
Israel has never advocated violence
Oh, OK, so they have never invaded another country, and, oh that's right, no Palestinians have ever died because of Israeli violence.
recognizes the right of Palestinians to have a state
That is like me recognizing homeless people's right to a roof over their head. Israel is the only reason the Palestinians don't have a state, i.e. if Israel wanted the Palestinians to have a state the Palestinians would have one. Israel is occupying the Palestinian state and cutting it up with a 30ft wall. Their rhetoric of supporting a two state solution makes idiots like you believe they are the good guys and keeps the cheques coming in from the U.S.A.
And last but not least, the piece de resistance of your retardation:
[Israel] signed all those interim agreements.
Em, the Palsetinians signed them too. Are you so naive that you think signing an agreement means the same as adhering to it? Come ON!
Both sides signed the agreements but neither side has lived up to their committments. BTW, ISrael has been the first to break the agreements in each case, and Israel's infringements have been worse.
And as for your last statements about Israel outlawing violent groups and Hamas sanctioning attacks, there is a difference: the Israeli government governs a viable and fruitful state, and most of their citizens have good or at least not bad lives. The Palestinian Authority presides over a state that has already been stolen, and that continues to be stolen piece by piece day by day, and with little chance of getting it back their citizens are despairing, exasperated, unhappy, poor, frustrated and starving.
Oh, and FYI the settler movement is guilty of much violence and harassment of Arabs, verging on ethnic cleansing, under orders, the IDF stands and watches in case the Arabs retaliate.
4 - Zedd
Liam
I still don't understand how it is that the act of a few irresponsible people in an entire nation in this case against one (yes very innocent victim) should stall anything. Hamas and a lot of revolutionary groups attract hotheads. These people have no intention to work towards anything. They are just acting out their mean streak and have found an outlet through an organization.
To end progress on events that have shifted the entire planet over these incidents is ridiculous. They need to just forge forward in defiance of the rouges.
There are millions of good Israelis who are ready for peace and want to move forward. However the stalling tactics of those who have no intentions to make peace; who get a jolt of pleasure from the isolated incidents (relatively speaking) of violence because they impede progress.
The best way to destroy rouge elements is to forge forward with peace.
5 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
"The best way to destroy rouge elements is to forge forward with peace."
Zedd,
When you write these comments, you should put away the makeup bag. Rouge elements need to put back in the makeup bag, next to the lipstick. Rogue elements are a matter of definition...
Kind of like another fellow who talked about putting fingers in a dyke. There is a reason you should watch your spelling.
6 - Zedd
Ruby
That was funny. Thanks!
7 - Zedd
Ruvy
Did you get that. I am so funny!! I thought that was priceless. Did you laugh o)
The truth is I honestly forgot how to spell ROGUE. I should have remembered, I studied French for several years and speak it (some). Apologies. I had a dense moment.
8 - MAOZ
Oh, that's okay Nedd. I'm sure Rudy didn't mind!
-- MOAZ