The Israeli/Palestinian Conflict: Both sides have obligations under the Roadmap

Israel has unilaterally left the Gaza strip. No more occupation, no more settlers, no more soldiers, no more roadblocks. The decision to leave Gaza by Israeli PM Ariel Sharon was a bold move that was welcomed by the entire world as the first step in the long road to possibly resolving this conflict. The next step was up to the Palestinians. Under the terms of the “Roadmap” (http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2003/20062.htm) the Palestinians were obligated to:

1) Palestinians declare an unequivocal end to violence and terrorism and undertake visible efforts on the ground to arrest, disrupt, and restrain individuals and groups conducting and planning violent attacks on Israelis anywhere.
2) Rebuilt and refocused Palestinian Authority security apparatus begins sustained, targeted, and effective operations aimed at confronting all those engaged in terror and dismantlement of terrorist capabilities and infrastructure. This includes commencing confiscation of illegal weapons and consolidation of security authority, free of association with terror and corruption.

Instead, Palestinian PM Abbas not only indicated that he will not confront the armed terrorists, but has allowed them to re-arm and shoot over 100 Kassem missiles into pre-67 Israel proper. Adding insult to injury, the 3-way agreement between the Egyptians, the Palestinians and the Israelis regarding security along the Gaza/Egypt border has become a mockery. Instead of enforcing strict border controls, the Egyptians have allowed the unfettered smuggling of high-grade weaponry into Gaza. The only supervision by the Egyptian military is to collect $50 per container entering Gaza.Every time an opportunity arises to make peace between Israel and the Palestinians, the Israelis have always reached across the table to make a deal. The Palestinian response is that they never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity. They lost the chance to get 80% of Israel in 1937, 65% in 1948, 50% plus ½ of Jerusalem under the Barak offer. Every time the Arabs or Palestinians have fought the Israelis instead of making peace, they have lost territory. Now they are given the opportunity – maybe for the last time %u2
– to set up a legitimate country starting in Gaza – and what do they do? Choose to fight a losing battle once again.