Israeli PM Ariel Sharon’s decision to totally withdraw Israeli settlers and soldiers from the Gaza Strip (to the 1967 border) was seen by many as a tangible act meant to jumpstart a stagnant peace process. To others it was capitulation to 38 years of terrorism, and a surrender of Israeli real estate for absolutely nothing in return. In reality, it was a test of Palestinian intentions…to back up their talk of peaceful co-existence and moderation with tangible acts of nation building.
Fast-forward 100 days after the pullout: Instead of building hundreds of badly needed houses for a suffering Palestinian population, they have fired hundreds of rockets into Israel proper (this rarely happened before the pullout). The only tangible result of the Israeli withdrawal is that the Palestinian people no longer feel the need to pretend to want peace. The people have spoken in their latest election, and Hamas is the winner in almost every major enclave - with a 90%+ majority. The Hamas manifesto specifically calls for the destruction of Israel, and their election should not leave any doubt that Palestinian aspirations are anything but moderate.
When the twin towers came down on 9-11, the Palestinians danced in the streets. When Iraqi scuds hit Israel in the first Iraq war, they danced in the streets. Since Palestinians fighters are having a hard time getting into Israel, so they have swarmed to Iraq to fight against the USA and Iraqi interests. That should confirm to all that Palestinian aspirations are anything but moderate.
A phycological awakening is often called a “moment of clarity”, where an issue that was confusing and disturbing - all of a sudden is seen from a clear perspective. The silver lining of the Israeli withdrawal is that the world is coming to the realization that any Palestinians state in Gaza or the West bank will end up like Somalia or Afghanistan – a terrorist state.
Hopefully, the New Year will bring a “moment of clarity” where the world realizes that to create a Palestinian state from Gaza and the West Bank will only destabilize the region further. Even better, maybe the world – including Presidendt George Bush - should forget about creating a Palestinian state out of the West Bank and Gaza, and consider acknowledging that Jordan is aready a a functioning Palestinian country. Better yet, instead of Iranian President Ahmadinejad’s reccomendation that Israelis move to Europe, maybe the Palestinians should move to Jordan.
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