Roadmap and PeacemakingIsrael and Palestine
What starts the numerous peacemaking efforts? What brings them to a halt? Are they doomed to fail because the problem is intractable? Or are some peacemaking plans simply unrealistic? With one-sided conditions and expectations?
Sunday, November 30, 2003
Sharon rejects any "cessation of the fence, dismantling of the fence and other fabrications" [... didn't he demand an ends to attacks before meeting?]
Excite - News: "Sharon Rejects Palestinian Condition for Talks | Nov 30, 5:28 pm ET | By Matthew Tostevin
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on Sunday rejected his Palestinian counterpart's demand that Israel stop building a separation barrier through the West Bank as a condition for peace talks.
But a U.S. envoy, trying to revive a stalled peace 'road map,' said he was hopeful a meeting could still be fixed between Sharon and Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurie, and he urged both sides to keep the promises they had already made.
Described by the Israelis as a fence to keep out suicide bombers and by the Palestinians as a wall to annex land, the controversial barrier of concrete and razor wire cuts deep into territory occupied by Israel in 1967.
'I hereby notify you that no condition shall be accepted... regarding the cessation of the fence, dismantling of the fence and other fabrications,' Sharon was quoted as saying in the official report on Sunday's cabinet meeting."
Excite - News: "Sharon Rejects Palestinian Condition for Talks | Nov 30, 5:28 pm ET | By Matthew Tostevin
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on Sunday rejected his Palestinian counterpart's demand that Israel stop building a separation barrier through the West Bank as a condition for peace talks.
But a U.S. envoy, trying to revive a stalled peace 'road map,' said he was hopeful a meeting could still be fixed between Sharon and Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurie, and he urged both sides to keep the promises they had already made.
Described by the Israelis as a fence to keep out suicide bombers and by the Palestinians as a wall to annex land, the controversial barrier of concrete and razor wire cuts deep into territory occupied by Israel in 1967.
'I hereby notify you that no condition shall be accepted... regarding the cessation of the fence, dismantling of the fence and other fabrications,' Sharon was quoted as saying in the official report on Sunday's cabinet meeting."
Saturday, November 29, 2003
"'If the Israeli government says it will continue building the wall regardless of what happens then there is no need for any meeting"
Excite - News: "Palestinian PM Rules Out Immediate Talks with Sharon | Nov 29, 7:58 am ET
RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) - Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurie on Saturday ruled out any meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon as long as Israel continues to build a controversial barrier in the West Bank.
'If the Israeli government says it will continue building the wall regardless of what happens then there is no need for any meeting or talks to take place (with Sharon),' Qurie told reporters after a weekly cabinet meeting in the West Bank city of Ramallah.
The Palestinians have called the barrier, which consists of razor-tipped fences and walls, a land grab intended to unilaterally annex occupied West Bank land to the Jewish state.
Israel says it is determined to build it to keep out suicide bombers. ...
[Earlier the same day, Sharon suggested he would "impose a peace", leaving the Palestinians with 40% of the land, and finish building the wall to finalize the solution. ed.]
Excite - News: "Palestinian PM Rules Out Immediate Talks with Sharon | Nov 29, 7:58 am ET
RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) - Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurie on Saturday ruled out any meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon as long as Israel continues to build a controversial barrier in the West Bank.
'If the Israeli government says it will continue building the wall regardless of what happens then there is no need for any meeting or talks to take place (with Sharon),' Qurie told reporters after a weekly cabinet meeting in the West Bank city of Ramallah.
The Palestinians have called the barrier, which consists of razor-tipped fences and walls, a land grab intended to unilaterally annex occupied West Bank land to the Jewish state.
Israel says it is determined to build it to keep out suicide bombers. ...
[Earlier the same day, Sharon suggested he would "impose a peace", leaving the Palestinians with 40% of the land, and finish building the wall to finalize the solution. ed.]
Sharon goes back on settlements pledge
Guardian Unlimited | The Guardian | Sharon goes back on settlements pledge: "Chris McGreal in Jerusalem | Friday November 28, 2003 | The Guardian
Ariel Sharon has gone back on a personal commitment to George Bush to dismantle illegal Jewish outposts in the West Bank by saying he would allow some to remain for security reasons.
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Mr Sharon breached his undertaking to Mr Bush and Israel's commitment under the US-led road map to dismantle illegal outposts by saying that those established "to provoke the government" would be removed, but that others were crucial to the security of bigger settlements and would remain.
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The road map required Israel to dismantle more than 100 outposts established by settlers since March 2001 and to freeze the expansion.
After removing eight, some of which were allowed to re-establish themselves, Israel turned a blind eye as more than a dozen new outposts went up. The government has continued to issue tenders for thousands more homes in the established settlements.
Guardian Unlimited | The Guardian | Sharon goes back on settlements pledge: "Chris McGreal in Jerusalem | Friday November 28, 2003 | The Guardian
Ariel Sharon has gone back on a personal commitment to George Bush to dismantle illegal Jewish outposts in the West Bank by saying he would allow some to remain for security reasons.
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Mr Sharon breached his undertaking to Mr Bush and Israel's commitment under the US-led road map to dismantle illegal outposts by saying that those established "to provoke the government" would be removed, but that others were crucial to the security of bigger settlements and would remain.
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The road map required Israel to dismantle more than 100 outposts established by settlers since March 2001 and to freeze the expansion.
After removing eight, some of which were allowed to re-establish themselves, Israel turned a blind eye as more than a dozen new outposts went up. The government has continued to issue tenders for thousands more homes in the established settlements.
Wednesday, November 26, 2003
Arafat rejects Sharon peace hints as bad faith
FT.com / World / Middle East & Africa: "Arafat rejects Israeli hints as bad faith | RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) Tue 25 November, 2003 09:35
Palestinian President Yasser Arafat has dismissed Israeli hints of unilateral moves if a peace plan fails as a sign that Israel is not committed to the U.S.-backed 'road map' in the first place.
Israeli media have said Prime Minister Ariel Sharon could uproot some isolated Jewish settlements and then draw borders of a truncated Palestinian state along the lines of a controversial barrier being built through the West Bank.
'This means they don't want to make peace. It is against the road map,' Arafat told Reuters on Monday night at his half-demolished headquarters in the West Bank city of Ramallah."
FT.com / World / Middle East & Africa: "Arafat rejects Israeli hints as bad faith | RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) Tue 25 November, 2003 09:35
Palestinian President Yasser Arafat has dismissed Israeli hints of unilateral moves if a peace plan fails as a sign that Israel is not committed to the U.S.-backed 'road map' in the first place.
Israeli media have said Prime Minister Ariel Sharon could uproot some isolated Jewish settlements and then draw borders of a truncated Palestinian state along the lines of a controversial barrier being built through the West Bank.
'This means they don't want to make peace. It is against the road map,' Arafat told Reuters on Monday night at his half-demolished headquarters in the West Bank city of Ramallah."
Monday, November 24, 2003
Reform leader: U.S. Jews must insist Israel halt settlements
Haaretz Article: "Reform leader: U.S. Jews must insist Israel halt settlements | By Nathan Guttman, Haaretz Correspondent
NEW YORK - Rabbi Eric Yoffie, the president of the Union for Reform Judaism, has issued a call to American Jews to exert their political influence in the U.S. in order to make the American administration prompt Israel to freeze all settlements immediately, regardless of what the Palestinians are doing.
'Continuing to build settlements is to threaten the Jewish character of the state and is to undermine the Zionist dream,' Yoffie told Haaretz in an interview in his New York office.
Yoffie added that the goal of the settlement effort is to create a reality that is irreversible. 'That's what scares me most of all,' he says.
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"My fear is that very soon, it is going to be too late," he says adding, "Israel will need to choose between a democratic state with an Arab majority, or an apartheid state, and this is not what Zionism is about. We didn't dream of Zion for 2000 years in order to be a minority in somebody else's state," Yoffie said.
Haaretz Article: "Reform leader: U.S. Jews must insist Israel halt settlements | By Nathan Guttman, Haaretz Correspondent
NEW YORK - Rabbi Eric Yoffie, the president of the Union for Reform Judaism, has issued a call to American Jews to exert their political influence in the U.S. in order to make the American administration prompt Israel to freeze all settlements immediately, regardless of what the Palestinians are doing.
'Continuing to build settlements is to threaten the Jewish character of the state and is to undermine the Zionist dream,' Yoffie told Haaretz in an interview in his New York office.
Yoffie added that the goal of the settlement effort is to create a reality that is irreversible. 'That's what scares me most of all,' he says.
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"My fear is that very soon, it is going to be too late," he says adding, "Israel will need to choose between a democratic state with an Arab majority, or an apartheid state, and this is not what Zionism is about. We didn't dream of Zion for 2000 years in order to be a minority in somebody else's state," Yoffie said.
Tuesday, November 18, 2003
Palestinians want a new and improved case-fire: requires end to the Israeli raids into the West Bank and Gaza, and a freeze on the separation fence an
Analysis / A new and improved hudna: "By Danny Rubinstein | Tuesday, November 18, 2003
Ahmed Yassin and his people have been saying in the last few days that they won't make the same mistake again of agreeing to a hudna without international guarantees, allowing the IDF to continue killing off its activists.
'God willing, there will be a hudna,' Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman said yesterday, as he left a meeting with Yasser Arafat and Ahmed Qureia at the Muqata in Ramallah.
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The Palestinian leadership is therefore convinced that firm demands from Washington on Israel could lead to an end to the Israeli raids into the West Bank and Gaza, and a freeze on the separation fence and settlements. That view forms the background to the meetings Suleiman and Arafat will conduct with the heads of the Hamas and Islamic Jihad in the coming days. The organizations are ready for a cease-fire, but they want international and American guarantees that Israel will stop chasing them.
Analysis / A new and improved hudna: "By Danny Rubinstein | Tuesday, November 18, 2003
Ahmed Yassin and his people have been saying in the last few days that they won't make the same mistake again of agreeing to a hudna without international guarantees, allowing the IDF to continue killing off its activists.
'God willing, there will be a hudna,' Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman said yesterday, as he left a meeting with Yasser Arafat and Ahmed Qureia at the Muqata in Ramallah.
...
The Palestinian leadership is therefore convinced that firm demands from Washington on Israel could lead to an end to the Israeli raids into the West Bank and Gaza, and a freeze on the separation fence and settlements. That view forms the background to the meetings Suleiman and Arafat will conduct with the heads of the Hamas and Islamic Jihad in the coming days. The organizations are ready for a cease-fire, but they want international and American guarantees that Israel will stop chasing them.
Sunday, November 16, 2003
US and UK officials dread presidential trip
Guardian Unlimited | Special reports | US and UK officials dread presidential trip: "Ewen MacAskill and Julian Borger in Washington | Monday November 17, 2003 | The Guardian "
� Washington fears any re-election benefit will be marred by trade row and anti-war protests
� Blair faces revival of 'US poodle' image
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The issue that US officials say will be at the centre of bilateral discussions will be Israel-Palestine. In the run-up to the war with Iraq, Mr Blair tried to exploit his relationship with Mr Bush by securing a promise that the president would use his powers to try to resolve the Israel-Palestinian question. British officials over the past few months have made little attempt to hide their disappointment that Mr Bush, having supported the internationally backed "road map" to peace in the Middle East, made no serious attempt to see it through.
Guardian Unlimited | Special reports | US and UK officials dread presidential trip: "Ewen MacAskill and Julian Borger in Washington | Monday November 17, 2003 | The Guardian "
� Washington fears any re-election benefit will be marred by trade row and anti-war protests
� Blair faces revival of 'US poodle' image
...
The issue that US officials say will be at the centre of bilateral discussions will be Israel-Palestine. In the run-up to the war with Iraq, Mr Blair tried to exploit his relationship with Mr Bush by securing a promise that the president would use his powers to try to resolve the Israel-Palestinian question. British officials over the past few months have made little attempt to hide their disappointment that Mr Bush, having supported the internationally backed "road map" to peace in the Middle East, made no serious attempt to see it through.
Friday, November 14, 2003
Ex-Israel Security Chiefs Push for Truce: Sharon has rejected such a plan in the past [..bringing down the original Roadmap ceasefire. ed]
Excite News: "Ex-Israel Security Chiefs Push for Truce | Nov 14, 8:43 AM (ET) | By JASON KEYSER
JERUSALEM (AP) - In unusually bold criticism, four former Israeli security chiefs on Friday warned that the country is headed for disaster unless Prime Minister Ariel Sharon reverses course and moves quickly to settle the conflict with the Palestinians.
The declaration by former directors of the vaunted Shin Bet agency come as Sharon weighs whether to accept a Palestinian truce offer that would not be accompanied by a Palestinian crackdown on militant groups. In the past, Sharon has rejected such a plan.
Israel's security services are reportedly divided, with the military in favor and the current Shin Bet chief opposed. The military believes a cease-fire is a step in the right direction and is ready to minimize operations, including halting targeted killings of Palestinian militants, the Maariv daily reported Friday. The Shin Bet fears armed groups will use the lull to reorganize for more attacks."
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The views of the ex-Shin Bet directors and the army chief carry considerable weight because of their familiarity with the conflict. They are considered professionals somewhat removed from the heated political debate in Israel over how to settle the conflict with the Palestinians.
The four won praise from Palestinian Cabinet minister Saeb Erekat. "It reflects the realistic policy required from the Israeli side," he said.
Excite News: "Ex-Israel Security Chiefs Push for Truce | Nov 14, 8:43 AM (ET) | By JASON KEYSER
JERUSALEM (AP) - In unusually bold criticism, four former Israeli security chiefs on Friday warned that the country is headed for disaster unless Prime Minister Ariel Sharon reverses course and moves quickly to settle the conflict with the Palestinians.
The declaration by former directors of the vaunted Shin Bet agency come as Sharon weighs whether to accept a Palestinian truce offer that would not be accompanied by a Palestinian crackdown on militant groups. In the past, Sharon has rejected such a plan.
Israel's security services are reportedly divided, with the military in favor and the current Shin Bet chief opposed. The military believes a cease-fire is a step in the right direction and is ready to minimize operations, including halting targeted killings of Palestinian militants, the Maariv daily reported Friday. The Shin Bet fears armed groups will use the lull to reorganize for more attacks."
...
The views of the ex-Shin Bet directors and the army chief carry considerable weight because of their familiarity with the conflict. They are considered professionals somewhat removed from the heated political debate in Israel over how to settle the conflict with the Palestinians.
The four won praise from Palestinian Cabinet minister Saeb Erekat. "It reflects the realistic policy required from the Israeli side," he said.
Friday, November 07, 2003
Jordan welcomes unofficial Israeli-Palestinian peace plan [Geneva Accords]
Yahoo! News - Jordan welcomes unofficial Israeli-Palestinian peace plan: " Fri Nov 7, 8:12 AM ET
AMMAN (AFP) - Jordan has welcomed an unofficial Middle East peace blueprint as an 'extremely positive effort' and pledged to rally international support for the document.
Jordan's position was revealed Thursday by Foreign Minister Marwan Moasher during a meeting in Amman with Palestinian politicians and left-wing Israeli leaders who came to brief him on the peace initiative.
The so-called Geneva Initiative "is an extremely positive effort that deserves the support of the Arab and international community," Moasher told his guests, who included former Palestinian information minister Yasser Abbed Rabbo.
Yahoo! News - Jordan welcomes unofficial Israeli-Palestinian peace plan: " Fri Nov 7, 8:12 AM ET
AMMAN (AFP) - Jordan has welcomed an unofficial Middle East peace blueprint as an 'extremely positive effort' and pledged to rally international support for the document.
Jordan's position was revealed Thursday by Foreign Minister Marwan Moasher during a meeting in Amman with Palestinian politicians and left-wing Israeli leaders who came to brief him on the peace initiative.
The so-called Geneva Initiative "is an extremely positive effort that deserves the support of the Arab and international community," Moasher told his guests, who included former Palestinian information minister Yasser Abbed Rabbo.
Powell Backs Informal Mideast Peace Plan
Yahoo! News - Powell Backs Informal Mideast Peace Plan: "By STEVE WEIZMAN, Associated Press Writer
RAM, West Bank - An informal Mideast peace plan drafted by prominent Israelis and Palestinians got a boost Friday with a letter of support from Secretary of State Colin Powell (news - web sites).
Powell's praise for the 'Geneva Accord' came despite Prime Minister Ariel Sharon (news - web sites)'s vehement opposition to the plan.
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Paul Patin, a U.S. Embassy spokesman ... said Powell's letter was meant to show support for the Geneva Accord, but was not an official endorsement.
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On Wednesday, the plan got the blessing of U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan (news - web sites) who called it a "courageous" attempt to break the stalemate on both sides.
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U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz — the Pentagon (news - web sites)'s No. 2 official — last week praised another unofficial peace plan drawn up by a prominent Palestinian moderate and the former head of Israel's secret service.
Yahoo! News - Powell Backs Informal Mideast Peace Plan: "By STEVE WEIZMAN, Associated Press Writer
RAM, West Bank - An informal Mideast peace plan drafted by prominent Israelis and Palestinians got a boost Friday with a letter of support from Secretary of State Colin Powell (news - web sites).
Powell's praise for the 'Geneva Accord' came despite Prime Minister Ariel Sharon (news - web sites)'s vehement opposition to the plan.
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Paul Patin, a U.S. Embassy spokesman ... said Powell's letter was meant to show support for the Geneva Accord, but was not an official endorsement.
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On Wednesday, the plan got the blessing of U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan (news - web sites) who called it a "courageous" attempt to break the stalemate on both sides.
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U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz — the Pentagon (news - web sites)'s No. 2 official — last week praised another unofficial peace plan drawn up by a prominent Palestinian moderate and the former head of Israel's secret service.
Wednesday, November 05, 2003
Annan welcomes informal Mideast peace plan: Geneva Accord
The Beaufort Gazette: Annan welcomes informal Mideast peace plan: "Published Wed, Nov 5, 2003 | The Associated Press
UNITED NATIONS (AP) - U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Wednesday welcomed an informal Mideast peace plan drafted by prominent Israelis and Palestinians, calling it a 'courageous' attempt to break the stalemate on both sides.
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"Such private initiatives, while not a substitute for official diplomatic negotiations between the government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority, deserve praise and encouragement as courageous attempts to break the stalemate on both sides and to generate the popular support needed for peace in the Middle East," U.N. associate spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.
Annan considers the plan "both consistent and compatible" with the "road map" peace plan whose last phase calls for agreements on sensitive final status issues including Jerusalem, Israeli settlements and Palestinian refugees, Dujarric said.
The Beaufort Gazette: Annan welcomes informal Mideast peace plan: "Published Wed, Nov 5, 2003 | The Associated Press
UNITED NATIONS (AP) - U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Wednesday welcomed an informal Mideast peace plan drafted by prominent Israelis and Palestinians, calling it a 'courageous' attempt to break the stalemate on both sides.
...
"Such private initiatives, while not a substitute for official diplomatic negotiations between the government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority, deserve praise and encouragement as courageous attempts to break the stalemate on both sides and to generate the popular support needed for peace in the Middle East," U.N. associate spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.
Annan considers the plan "both consistent and compatible" with the "road map" peace plan whose last phase calls for agreements on sensitive final status issues including Jerusalem, Israeli settlements and Palestinian refugees, Dujarric said.
Tuesday, November 04, 2003
Israeli Coalition Party Draws Up Peace Plan
Yahoo! News - Israeli Coalition Party Draws Up Peace Plan: "Israeli Coalition Party Draws Up Peace Plan | Tue, Nov 04, 2003 | By Megan Goldin
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - A partner in Prime Minister Ariel Sharon (news - web sites)'s government is drawing up a peace proposal that includes a call to evacuate an isolated Jewish settlement in the Gaza Strip (news - web sites), reflecting more internal dissent over his policies.
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The plan, other than the suggestion to evacuate the central Gaza Strip settlement of Netzarim, followed the lines of a U.S.-backed "road map" which has stalled by fresh violence.
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Under the plan, Netzarim's estimated 300 to 400 settlers would be evacuated after a truce is achieved and holds.
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Under the proposal, Israel would also stop tracking and killing Palestinian militants if the Palestinian Authority (news - web sites) agreed to rein in "terror groups" and destroy "terror infrastructure" behind a devastating wave of suicide bombings.
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The plan also calls for uprooting dozens of settler outposts in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip set up without government approval, and a complete halt to settlement building.
Yahoo! News - Israeli Coalition Party Draws Up Peace Plan: "Israeli Coalition Party Draws Up Peace Plan | Tue, Nov 04, 2003 | By Megan Goldin
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - A partner in Prime Minister Ariel Sharon (news - web sites)'s government is drawing up a peace proposal that includes a call to evacuate an isolated Jewish settlement in the Gaza Strip (news - web sites), reflecting more internal dissent over his policies.
...
The plan, other than the suggestion to evacuate the central Gaza Strip settlement of Netzarim, followed the lines of a U.S.-backed "road map" which has stalled by fresh violence.
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Under the plan, Netzarim's estimated 300 to 400 settlers would be evacuated after a truce is achieved and holds.
...
Under the proposal, Israel would also stop tracking and killing Palestinian militants if the Palestinian Authority (news - web sites) agreed to rein in "terror groups" and destroy "terror infrastructure" behind a devastating wave of suicide bombings.
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The plan also calls for uprooting dozens of settler outposts in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip set up without government approval, and a complete halt to settlement building.
Saturday, November 01, 2003
Two Views: Does Geneva initiative spell hope or gloom for Israel? Plan finally renews prospects for solution
J, the Jewish news weekly of Northern California, formerly the Jewish Bulletin of Northern California - Two Views: Does Geneva initiative spell hope or gloom for Israel? Plan finally renews prospects for solution: "Thursday October 30, 2003 | by naomi chazan
The signing of the Geneva initiative has done what more than three years of violent confrontation have failed to achieve: It has renewed the hope that a workable solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict is attainable. ... The Geneva understandings have totally undermined the rationale behind Sharon’s militaristic policy. It is hardly surprising, under the circumstances, that the government has lashed out against its architects who have done precisely what oppositions are meant to do — offer a real alternative to the present quagmire.
Naomi Chazan, a former Meretz Knesset member, is a professor of political science at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. This column appeared previously in The Jerusalem Post.
J, the Jewish news weekly of Northern California, formerly the Jewish Bulletin of Northern California - Two Views: Does Geneva initiative spell hope or gloom for Israel? Plan finally renews prospects for solution: "Thursday October 30, 2003 | by naomi chazan
The signing of the Geneva initiative has done what more than three years of violent confrontation have failed to achieve: It has renewed the hope that a workable solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict is attainable. ... The Geneva understandings have totally undermined the rationale behind Sharon’s militaristic policy. It is hardly surprising, under the circumstances, that the government has lashed out against its architects who have done precisely what oppositions are meant to do — offer a real alternative to the present quagmire.
Naomi Chazan, a former Meretz Knesset member, is a professor of political science at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. This column appeared previously in The Jerusalem Post.
