Recent advances in the Middle East spark feelings of hope. Six months ago, no one could have imagined the current situation in the Middle East. On many different fronts, leaders are beginning to resume discussions and relations that have been damaged over the past few years of violence. Egypt and Jordan have appointed ambassadors in order to restart formal relations with Israel, a major step in the warming relationship between the only two countries that have formally made peace with Israel. The quartet (United States, United Nations, European Union and Russia) has designated outgoing World Bank President James Wolfensohn as its special envoy to the Middle East to help coordinate Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip as well as the other objectives of the "Road Map" for peace.
Also, Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbas has announced that he is interested in working closer with Israel, and he appears sincere in his desire for peace between the Israelis and Palestinians. These changes are all focused around one major event that is planned to take place at the end of this summer: Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. The plan was initially drafted during the intifada to pull Israel out of the difficult position of securing Gaza. Now, with the change of leadership in the Palestinian Authority and warming relations, it is being used to build trust and move forward.
The disengagement will be the first time the entire Gaza Strip will be under the control of Palestine, and it will determine if Abbas is ready and capable of maintaining control in the territory. Because of the difficulties in moving so many families, it is important that everything is executed smoothly. To ensure this, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon announced a possible three-week extension before starting the withdrawal. While most people want to see the withdrawal completed as soon as possible, it is important that it is done as neatly and safely as possible.
This extension will allow for increased communication, cooperation and coordination between Israel and Palestine. ÿ Israel is going to withdraw in stages to ease the process of transition. The additional time before these stages begin will allow the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority to plan intricate aspects of the withdrawal. Until now, Israel has been making all of the decisions on its own. With this new development, there will be coordination so the handover of the territory is successful and orderly.
Israel has taken many steps to ensure that the Gaza withdrawal transitions as safely as possible for all the parties involved. The Israeli government has designated all areas where settlers are being removed as weapon-free zones. With this declaration, it has collected all weapons owned by the settlers and disarmed everyone sent in to enforce the disengagement. This will prevent unnecessary casualties during the disengagement. The Palestinian Authority needs to take similar steps to ensure the safety of all individuals in the area and to prevent terrorist groups from using the withdrawal for political gain.
Abbas has recently ordered the security forces to be organized into only three groups, as required by the Road Map. This is a major step toward providing organized security in the cities Palestine controls, as well as the Gaza Strip, at the end of the year. ÿHowever, Abbas must make sure that the security forces are fully committed to following the orders they are given. These security forces have recently shown an ability to prevent terror attacks when they want to; however, they have also turned the other way when it is convenient. Their next goal should not just be the prevention of attacks, but also the confiscation of weapons.
Should there be an attack during the disengagement, it is quite possible that the entire plan will be called off. Israel will not be willing to be portrayed as pulling out in response to terrorism, as it was when it withdrew from Lebanon in May 2000. These weapons, however, do not only pose a danger to Israel and the current progress, they also pose a danger to Abbas. As long as there are armed militant groups, Abbas will be unable to make all the changes that are in the interest of the people he governs, but will be a pawn of those with the weapons. Also, with elections coming up, it is important that there are not external pressures put on voters by these groups. He must make sure that the Palestinian Authority is not challenged for the role of providing security for the people it governs nor manipulated by these militants.
With this new day in the Middle East, it is important to take small but sound steps. We have learned from the past that pressuring either side to move too quickly will fail. There must be constant pressure to change, but it is necessary for the parties involved, as well as the rest of the world, to have patience with the progress and understand the position these leaders are in. Abbas and Sharon have shown their desire to be statesmen, but they also have to be politicians and maintain the support of those who elect them. We must respect their needs to deal with internal political problems while still insisting progress in their relationship and on the Road Map.
David Manchester is a sophomore in the School of International Service.
