I don't like Ariel Sharon, the man, his policies and his
politics. but I feel that the situation today, though partly was
due to Israeli overreaction, was mainly brought about by
instrangience on the part of Arafat and the Palestinian Authority.
The Mitchell and Tenet plans offered as an adjunct to peace, a
couple of years ago, would have brought the idea of a fully
independent, self contained Palestinian state a lot closer. In
exchange the PA would work to try to ensure Isrsels security. That
is the basic idea. Yes, both plans fall short of what the PA wants,
and whaty it essentailly gave was control of Gaza, along with PA
enclaves of control inside the West Bank, and I believe on control
of East Jerusalem(not too clear on the last point). But what did
they expect, the Israelis to just cave in hand over the entire West
Bank in one fell swoop? C'mon, if this were to occur, Israel would
be 7-8 miles long at its widest point. Do they even think the
Israeli would accept that overnight? The Israelis wouldn't get what
they wanted from the plans either, but they were willing to make
concessions for peace. Thats what negotiations are about right? For
all parties to compromise until a solution is reached?
The plans were not perfect, but if implemented properly, what it
would give is confidence and trust to both sides, and would act as
a prelude to further negotiations. It might not produce a
breakthrough in a year, but who knows in 5 or 10? Mistrust was
built up over 40 years, did they think the Israelis would trust
them overnight? What it basically required was for each party to
trust each other tentatively, and use that as a basis for further
talks. Israel accepted, Arafat didn't. What we see is a direct
result of that.
By consistently refusing to ensure Israels security, and using the
suicide bombers to continually try to pressure Israel into more
concessions, hoping the Israeli public would eventually tire and
give him what he wants, Arafat miscalculated by forcing the
Israelis into a corner, and inviting the ensuing backlash. Hes
trapped, hungry and uncomfortable? Serves him right. he had a
chance to make peace with Rabin and Peres, and become a statesman
in the process. Instead he chose war and to become a 'lau
hero'.
FWIW, IMO the wars in the MidEast, were all either started by the
Arabs or goaded by the Arabs into starting. They lost all of 'em,
and now they come crying like spoilt brats to try and use world
opinion to get back what they lost fair and square.
Moral of story: Don't start what you can't finish
