It is true that the Israelis are disappointed to have elected Sharon as prime minister and the Palestinians were disappointed in assuming that Ehud Barak was the new man for peace. The full truth, however, is that we are convinced more than ever that all of Israel’s leaders are against the evolution of an independent Palestinian state. In addition, the peace process will not move any further, Jerusalem will remain completely Jewish, taking into account its occupation and annexation of Orient House. The peace process has reached a dangerous point that portends an impending explosion in the entire Middle East. These indications, along with other factors, could be the reason for the Egyptian president to dispatch a high-ranking delegation to Washington in order to persuade the US to intervene and stop the violence in Palestine and thus to rescue the peace process.
One of the reasons considered by Egypt as necessary for dispatching such a delegation is the strong belief that the US is reluctant to intervene positively — though it can.
Moreover, this is due, in the first place, to its willingness to comply with Sharon’s demands which he submitted during his visit to the US when he asked the US not to intervene until he can suppress the Palestinians and knock out the intifada. Negotiations will be resumed afterward. In fact, Sharon has failed in his state-terrorism policy and the Americans have failed to assess the situation, taking into account the ability of President Bush and Colin Powell, his secretary of state, to understand the international political game.
Moreover, Washington and Tel Aviv are reluctant to accept the rights of the Palestinians and will not allow power to resolve any political conflicts. History is full of evidence where many nations were under colonialism but at the end gained their independence. Israel’s continued suppression of the Palestinians and Sharon’s plan to liquidate the PLO leaders is what is called state terrorism.
The Palestinians have retaliated with operations which have created martyrs and they will continue — and with them, Israeli horror. The latest incident experienced by Israel’s minister of the interior is an example of such horror. He was visiting members of a political party in a hotel. While there, he received an anonymous telephone call that he would be assassinated. The police and the full panoply of the Israeli security apparatus were quickly mobilized and the minister was evacuated from the hotel by a helicopter.
The equation is one for one. Israeli terrorism is countered by streets operations by the Palestinians; this is legal by international standards. Many countries have fought for their independence and used whatever means was available. In fact, Sharon has failed to provide the necessary security for the Israelis that he promised them when he was campaigning for the prime minister’s office. On the contrary, Sharon’s policy has led to an increase in Israeli horror in lieu of the promised Israeli security. No doubt that the intifada continues, despite all efforts. Israeli horror increases and perhaps soon the Israeli citizens will protest. This may lead to Sharon’s resignation in the end, just so the loss of property and life can be minimized. Moreover, peace groups have begun to call for an improvement and many of them see this as meaning Sharon’s removal from power. The final milestone will be a Palestinian state recognized by the international community as the voice of justice and the soul of peace.
