“Every few months, a ‘peace plan’ is pulled out of the drawers of the White House and keeps the public discourse busy for a few weeks. Although this ritual has a fixed pattern and predetermined end, it is curious that many in Israel are still tempted to believe that this time it is different. The Road Map announces that this time “the destination is a final and comprehensive settlement of the Israel-Palestinian conflict by 2005”. To check if it offers anything concrete in this direction, it is necessary to first get clear regarding what the conflict is about.” Israeli academic Tanya Reinhart writes in Yediot Aharonot.Read more about The guaranteed failure of the Road Map
It took just a few hours for US Secretary of State Colin Powell’s mission to implement the road map to founder on the rocks of Israeli intransigence. Ariel Sharon’s “gestures” to humor his American guest lasted barely longer than the visit itself. EI’s Ali Abunimah argues that the Americans need an ally who is unconstrained by domestic political considerations when it comes to Palestine-Israel. The perfect candidate is Tony Blair, who claimed before the Iraq war that could lead, not just follow the United States. If so, Palestine is the perfect opportunity for him to do so and here is precisely what he should do. Read more about Step Forward, Tony Blair
Once more the mountain roared and produced nothing. The much acclaimed visit of the US secretary of state, Colin Powell, to Israel and Palestine to implement the road map ended in total failure. Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon thinks he has won a victory by defeating the latest peace effort, but regular EI contributor Hasan Abu Nimah argues that Palestinians, Israelis and the United States all emerge as losers. Read more about The mountain roared: Powell's Road Map fiasco
On 8 May 2003, the Electronic Intifada obtained and published the text of a document distributed by the Israeli military to foreign diplomatic representatives, entitled “Form to be filled out and submitted to IDF authorities prior to entry to the Gaza Strip”. EI’s Nigel Parry and Ali Abunimah look at the document, at Israel’s recent actions in Rafah, and wonder at the new entry conditions which require internationals to affirm they won’t hold Israel responsible for harming them: “I am aware of the risks involved and accept that the Government of the State of Israel and its organs cannot be held responsible for death, injury and/or damage/loss of property which may be incurred as a result of military activity.” Read more about Israel's 'We have the right to kill you' visa for Gaza
Carel Moiseiwitsch, Gordon Murray and Drew Penland9 May 2003
“We recently returned from the Occupied Territories of the West Bank and Gaza where we volunteered with the International Solidarity Movement (ISM). Upon returning to Vancouver, we were shocked by the disconnection between our experience of Palestine and its portrayal in the Canadian media. The media must support the search for shared truths and not merely reiterate the formulas of fundamentalist ideologues — on either side of the Mideast conflict — that serve a single interest. All of us are responsible for helping find a humane solution. To be silent is to be complicit in the ongoing oppression.” Three recent Canadian ISM members share their thoughts and concerns in the Winnipeg Free Press. Read more about Our humanity hangs in the balance
Even today, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon tries to ignore the plight of Palestinian refugees. In fact, in an interview with Israel Radio, Sharon insisted that Palestinians drop their demand for the refugees’ right of return “if negotiations are to proceed.” Read more about No Sharon, we won't drop the right of return
The Golan Heights cast a shadow across the Middle East peace discussions, but are seldom mentioned. Eleven months ago Nick Pretzlik and his wife stood close to the UN flag in the Syrian ghost town of Quneitra, and looked across the closed borders of Syria and Israel to the green and pleasant landscape of the Golan Heights. Read more about Whatever happened to the Golan Heights?
Scepticism about the Middle East Roadmap is warranted: in its current form, it is unlikely to lead to its stated destination – a final and comprehensive settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by 2005. But it could still be a catalyst for change. The International Crisis Group published a report making specific recommendations to the Quartet, U.S., Israelis and Palestinians about how to maximise the effectiveness of the new approach. Read more about A Middle East Road Map to where?
“We now witness the publication of the Middle East Road Map, the latest attempt to resolve the Israeli/Palestinian impasse. Cynics will expect Israel to prevaricate and demand amendments and President Bush to lack conviction in the face of a US election in 2004. Cynics will no doubt recall Sharon’s oft-stated belief that it is necessary to inflict a devastating defeat on the Palestinians before peace can be agreed to. They will also remember the words of General Moshe Ya’alon, the IDF chief of staff, when he said that the aim is to lead the Palestinians to internalise “in the deepest recesses of their consciousness that they are a defeated people”. Is this the appropriate mindset for an equitable peace?” Nick Pretzlik views events in Palestine and Iraq from London and asks some difficult questions. Read more about Where will this road map really lead?
The appointment of Mahmoud Abbas as Palestinian prime minister has been welcomed in the United States as a boost to prospects for peace between Israelis and Palestinians. Despite Palestinians’ doubts about Abbas and the ‘road map,’ many are willing to give the process a chance. There are serious questions, however, about whether the Bush administration is willing to expend the political capital to face down the vigorous campaign by Israel and its supporters in the U.S. to derail the road map and any chance of peace it may contain. EI’s Ali Abunimah takes a look at the issues. Read more about Palestinians on Abbas: Taking a wait and see approach
