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What are the challenges facing the new Palestinian PM | 4 comments

[new] one difficult question (Avg. Score: none / Raters: 0) (#3)
by BrianHolmes on Wed Sep 24th, 2003 at 04:56:02 PM EURODISCORDIA TIME
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I agree with almost all the analysis of the situation presented here, as well as with the call for a sane approach based on reciprocity. But it seems that a difficult question hasn't been answered, and if it were answered, it would make the piece much stronger and more credible. The difficulty arises with these sentences: Any ceasefire agreement requires both parties to refrain from attacking the other. These agreements normally include a clause setting up some kind of neutral third party monitors and finally for such a ceasefire agreement to stand it must be followed immediately upon signing it with a concerted effort to produce a political solution to the issues that caused the warring parties to attack each other. The problem in the Israel-Palestine situation, as in other such situations (Bosnia...) is the status of the monitors. What do they do when a new colony starts to be built? What do they do when Hamas attacks? What do they do when the IDF responds? What I see (but I'm no expert) is that on both sides, violent attacks are either tolerated or encouraged by politicians who have also used them to get into power and to stay there. I agree that the US could pressure its client, Israel, into ceasing many of the actions that encourage and justify Palestinian militants. But how can the Palestinian Authority, acting on its own, succeed in restraining terrorist attacks, now that so many people have invested so much into this way of responding to the situation? The role of the "monitors" appears crucial. They would have to have the power to stop and imprison Israelis making incursions into Palestinian territory, continuing to build colonies or refusing to leave them. And they would have to arrest and imprison those Palestinians making or actively and materially supporting suicide attacks. They would have to be able to block the IDF's tanks, shoot down its missiles. Is this how you see it? Without finding an answer to this question, I am afraid there will be no solution and the new Palestinian PM will be in the same situation as the old one. Even if - miracle of miracles - a US president could be forced to put the necessary pressure on Israel. peace, Brian Holmes

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What are the challenges facing the new Palestinian PM | 4 comments

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