It is absolutely necessary that Israel delivers some positive signals in order to convince the West Bank Palestinians that the road to peace is still open. Unless this is done, I fear we might face a quick breakdown of the peace negotiations and thereby enter a new violent phase in the Middle East conflict.
This is my conclusion after returning from a trip to the Middle East last week. I had talks with Yasser Arafat, (Israeli Prime Minister) Shimon Peres, the General Union for Palestinian Students and Young Guard (Labor Party Youth), and, of course, with Faisal Husseini, Hanan Ashwari and 15 other Palestinian leaders on the West Bank.It was the meeting with the West Bank leaders that made me scared. They are utterly disappointed about the fact that thus far they have received only negative signals from the Israelis. In their opinion, this is enhancing fundamentalist forces. Hamas and other extremist groups are increasing at a disturbing pace. The peace forces are facing growing problems, and direct threats against individual moderates are increasing day by day.
There is also a growing concern that Israel does not want peace with the Palestinians but is aiming for an all-Middle East solution that will sacrifice the Palestinians. If so, according to one of the leading Palestinians, only violence and war remain.
"If Israel forces us to choose that alternative, we will not hesitate," the West Bank leader, who is part of the Palestinian negotiating team, told me. I can understand that they are pessimistic and upset. This is especially true when we look at the case of Jerusalem. The Israelis are obviously trying to solve this problem in their own way by establishing facts on the ground - settlements - that will make it impossible to reach a solution that is acceptable to the PLO and to Palestinian leaders.
Just a few examples of the way Israelis are blocking a solution:
- New settlements are mushrooming on the hills of "Greater Jerusalem" surrounding the Old City. The growth of new settlements is taking place at almost the same pace as it was in the days of former Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir. Around these settlements, land for another 20 years' worth of expansion is being reserved, while, on the other hand, not one square inch for growth around Palestinian quarters is ensured. This means that the Palestinian areas are on the verge of being totally surrounded by grand settlements.
- The effective closure of East Jerusalem from the rest of the West Bank makes it impossible for hospital directors, university principals and other office-holders living on the West Bank to handle their jobs.
- In the occupied territories, starvation and suffering are increasing. It is a growing desperation and frustration among the Palestinians that form the most important basis for the irritation between the PLO leadership in Tunis and the Palestinian leadership in Jerusalem, and thereby endangers the peace process.
What can Israel do? It is not possible to postpone discussions about Jerusalem, as the United States has suggested, if the Israeli behavior gives the impression that their intention is to have the Palestinians face a fait accompli.
If belief in finding a peaceful solution is to remain, Israel must stop building new settlements in and around Jerusalem and must lift the barrier between East Jerusalem and the West Bank.
I am convinced, in the end, that all parties to the conflict really want peace and are prepared to compromise, even yield, in order to achieve that goal. To avoid losing forever the modicum of good faith that now exists, it is Israel's turn to act.
(Dist. by Los Angeles Times Syndicate)