Hands-on approach called for
With the likely end of the Sharon era, another twist has been added to the increasing confusion to our west. On the Palestinian street there is growing anarchy, and upcoming and vital parliamentary elections are possible, but by no means certain. Wednesday’s turmoil in Rafah, which saw two Egyptian policemen killed, threatened greater conflagration, and there can be no doubt that the Palestinian Authority (PA) must clamp down on the growing lawlessness. To do so with any legitimacy and chance of success, however, parliamentary elections must be held. In Israel, Ariel Sharon’s absence leaves a gaping hole that it is impossible to see how it will be filled. Sharon and his new party Kadima were widely seen as a shoe-in for reelection in March, but essentially as a one-man party. Those left will find it hard to project the same sense of invincibility. That means Labour and the Likud are right back in the game, and Israeli voters are facing a crucial test. Unfortunately, in the short term, it is likely that those vying to replace Sharon will do their best to prove their “security” credentials, and further escalation is all but inevitable. In all of this, the role of third parties becomes crucial. If there was ever a time the international community needed to take a hands-on approach, it is now. The Palestinian side must be persuaded to hold elections on time, and the Israeli side must be cajoled into letting them. After that crucial test, Israel must be restrained from acting rashly in the run-up to the Israeli elections to allow a new Palestinian parliament time to focus on its internal affairs rather than be waylaid into armed resistance and the rhetoric that goes with it. A steady and firm international course, in line with international law, must be maintained, both in public discourse and in behind-the-scenes actions. The end of the Sharon era could hopefully bring with it the end of his unilateral approach to ending the conflict with the Palestinians. While that approach brought about a withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, it was always going to run aground on the hilltops of the West Bank. An empowered PA and an Israeli government willing to return to negotiations with the Palestinian side might just bring some badly needed hope to this region. The international community must ensure that they are both encouraged in that direction. The source: Jordan Times (Jordan).