Syl, I think that you are missing few points. The Palestinian had an autonomous area, called Area A, containing 95% of the Palestinians on the west bank and Gaza. Arafat signed a deal in Oslo in which he agreed to forego terror as a means of negotiation. Arafat had to deal with extremists, and he did not. The problem with Arafat is that he did not (or did not want to) follow the type of leadership that Davdi Ben Gurion showed when he was faced with Jewish extremists, he disarmed them and gave them a choice, go to jail, or go and join the only military body in the state, the IDF (non extremist militzia like the Palmach were forced to do the same). One military subjugated to the civilian authority. As long as that is not enforced, no talks, no giving this and giving that will bring peace to the region. According to Ross, who spent countless hours with Arafat, Arafat cannot and will not do that, because that will eliminate his fantasies of "throwing the Jews" into the Mediteranean. Very simple. If the Palestinians know what is good for them, they should find better leaders.
Syl, have you ever asked yourself how come the Palestinians in Gaza never mounted a major effort to get statehood from Egypt during the 18 years they were under Egyptian occupation? Why did not the west Bank's Palestinians during the same 18 years feel no urge to throw the yoke of Jordanian occupation?
Zeev |
