Reader reactions to ‘The end of the road for
unilateralism?’
I’m
hoping the latest conflagration has driven the point home with the Israelis
that their professed unilateralism only leads to drama and that only talks can
procure safe passage out of the current mess.
That said, I must admit I was somewhat less of
a staunch opponent of Olmert’s plans to pull back from 90% of the West Bank
without talking. In my view, it would be more advantageous for the Palestinians
in the long run. The Israeli public
doesn’t seem ready to except a withdrawal of about 400,000 people from the
territories in one go. The logistics of it alone.
At best, I thought, final status talks now
would, for the Palestinians, wind up at where the wall, or separation fence, or
whatever the hell people call it, is now. I thought, let Israel make the first
step. Take out around 90,000 people today, nothing asked in return from the
Palestinians, and talk about final status in about two years time when Israel
has learned to live and talk with Hamas and vice versa.
Essential in such a course would be for everyone
involved to stave off international recognition of the current ominous
trajectory of the wall as an international border. A closer look at that wall
warrants cautious optimism. It’s just impossible to turn the current lineage of
it into a border, especially around the Ariel area. The crux of the efforts
would have to go to Jerusalem and its surroundings, make sure there’s no new
housing in ‘E1’. Even the United States is adamant on that issue I think.
So, a two-step plan would mean withdrawing most
of the settlers that are beyond the fence (apart from the Jordan Valley). Phase
two would negotiate the rest – Jerusalem, Ariel, Hebron, the Valley, and of
course, refugees!
It's my personal opinion that this was indeed
the grand idea that some in the White House might have had until recently.
American efforts to help Hamas come to power (and thus make sure that for the
coming two years, at least,there was no partner for the Israelis to talk to)
were quite conspicuous in this regard.
Anyways, it seems those plans are on the
backburner for now. There are signs that the Israelis want to talk (to a soon-to-be-formed
Palestinian unity government?). Of course, that’s the grand diplomacy of it
all.
T Kenis
Ramallah, Palestine
September 2006
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