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Current Issue |
Propaganda or Persuasion? by Darling G. Villena-Mata Forgiveness and Nonviolent Political Change:
Strategies for the Middle and Far East Despite Bleak Situation, Optimists
Spin Israeli-Palestinian Peace Plans Editorial, The Jordan Times, February 24, 2003 http://www.jordantimes.com Distributed by Ground News Service Copyright permission for republication The Palestinian
National Authority's official acceptance of a one-year ceasefire is an important
step that could land the peace process back on course. The idea of a limited
ceasefire to allow time for the reexamination of the prospects for peace
talks between Israel and the PNA was originally proposed by Egypt and endorsed
by many Arab capitals as the only remaining viable formula to give peace
a chance on the Palestinian front. The PNA has long been considering such
an offer but was unable to convince all the Palestinian factions of the prudence
of the move.
Unfortunately Hamas and Islamic Jihad dismissed the initiative as a maneuver meant to keep them in line. Both organizations vowed to continue their armed struggle against Israeli occupation, using all means available to their forces. Hamas and Islamic Jihad have yet to recognize that their ways have shoved the Palestinians farther away from their national aspirations. They are determined to pursue their methods and means at all costs. At this point then, the PNA will require both material and political support to reign in all the Palestinian groups who are opposed to its official policies. Again an opportunity presents itself. The Arab governments can speak up, with one voice, in favour of the ceasefire proposal and call on all Palestinian factions to respect the official declarations of the PNA. But Israel too must endorse the ceasefire idea and do all it can to stop its military incursions into Palestinian territories to eliminate Palestinian resistance groups. Neither Hamas nor Islamic Jihad can be persuaded to toe the official line of the PNA as long as Israeli forces continue to engage them in bloody battles that take a heavy toll on the lives of Palestinian civilians. The "roadmap" for peace, drafted by the quartet of the UN, EU, US, and Russia, requires that a sense of normalcy return in the Palestinian territories before it can begin to offer real peace prospects for both sides. Presumably the official declaration of the "roadmap" has been delayed yet again, this time till Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon concludes his contacts with the various Israeli parties in a bid to form his new government. Still, with a ceasefire in effect and a broader-based Israeli government in office, the resumption of the peace process is possible. Neither the Palestinians nor the Israelis must let this opportunity slip by.
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