NOT SHARON'S FOLLY..IT'S THE PA BEING SQUEEZED

Submitted by Martin Schwartz (United States), Apr 5, 2005 at 16:49

Mr. Pipes:

I generally agree with virtually all of your positions re: Israel, terrorism and the mid-east.
That's why I'm surprised at your article in the Sun describing Sharon's raison d'etre for getting out of Gaza as a 'folly'. Sharon's actions -- toughness with measured concessions -- have effectively pinned the PA and the Palestinian people to the point where they may finally see that they are getting nowhere with Israel mixing terror with avoidance.

I believe Prime Minister Sharon has essentially boxed them into a corner during his administration. If they use terror again as a tactic -- it's the iron fist with Israel the aggrieved party. If they continue to refuse and negotiate realistically as losers...they're cut off more and more by the fence...with Israel unilaterally defining final boundries. So unless you feel that giving up Gaza is a strategic and security mistake -- I see no reason not to get out -- if that's the boundary line that the democratic will has accepted and which makes the most sense for Israel's long term security interests.

Israel is not rewarding terrorism by leaving under duress...they're leaving because it's in their interest to do so. That is the strategic position conveyed. I see this action as another show of strength and good move to generate reasonableness to the rest of the international community which only generates further polical isolation for the PA.

To me, the only question left is will Abbas get enough consensus from his Moslem fanatics to be able to cut some kind of deal -- or will what's left of the PA in the territories slip back into anarchy but this time -- left on their own behind a wall with no where to go.

I for one see the Gaza move as a success...not Sharon's folly.

Best:

Martin Schwartz

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