No peace in 10 years of process

by John Thompson

12/01/03

How can you tell when Yasser Arafat is lying? It’s easy — he’s speaking in English.

For decades, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict has sat like a sharp rock in the World’s collective shoe as two central points have come into collision.

The Israelis represent the re-creation of the Jewish nation, and after all they have gone through in history, they want that nation to live in peace. However, the creation of this nation displaced a number of Arabs — most of whom still consider themselves refugees 55 years later — and a vast number of Muslims bitterly resent the creation of a miniscule Western nation in those lands they consider to be forever now a part of Dar al Islam.

Israel was invaded by five Arab nations at the moment of its birth, and there are Jews who fought in that war and four others — all substantial Israeli victories over Arab militaries. This has meant that none of its neighbors will directly challenge the diminutive state again, but it has meant that terrorism has become the preferred option for those Arabs still determined to fight against Israel. Starting in the 1960s, that terrorism has troubled the world with hijackings, bombings and massacres. Also, the Palestinian Arabs in areas under Israeli control learned to use terrorism as their preferred means of combat.

Ten years ago, the Norwegians and Americans brokered what they hoped would be a compromise deal that might lead to peace between Israel and the Palestinian Arabs. The Oslo Agreement was signed by Prime Minister Rabin and Palestinian Liberation Organization Chairman Yasser Arafat. The agreement was to be an interim step that set five conditions that had to be met before both parties would negotiate before the PLO could get what it really wanted — an independent Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza state, with Jerusalem as its capital, with no Israeli settlers in Palestinian areas, and recognition of the ‘right of return’ which would allow Palestinian refugees to return to with Israel itself.

Israel had to abide by the following preconditions: A recognition of the Palestinian Authority (PA) from the old PLO; a transfer of some of the West Bank and Gaza Strip to Palestinian control; to educate Israel’s population into accepting this and following deals; to arm a PA police force of 10,000 men;

Arafat committed the PLO to the following preconditions: To end acts of terror against Israel and her citizens by groups under PLO/PA control; to recognize Israel’s right to exist by amending their Charter; to destroy or disarm other Palestinian terrorist groups in order to protect Israel, to recognize and protect Jewish holy sites in the West Bank; to negotiate with Israel rather than use violence against her; and to educate their population into accepting the peace process.

Israel was as good as their word at Oslo and met their obligations — allowing the creation of the Palestinian Authority, handed over some 95% of the Gaza strip and 42% of the West Bank (in which some 90% of Palestinian Arabs lived), convinced their population to accept the process and provided small arms for a 10,000 man Palestinian police force. It is true that they have not been enthusiastic about this, but an honest report card would grant Israel a "C" — a passing grade, if not a great one, for their efforts.

Yasser Arafat and his Palestinian Authority rate an "F". Terrorism by such PA sponsored groups as the Al Aqsa Martyr’s Brigade and the Tanzim militia continues — as does that of the groups that the PA was supposed to suppress, like Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Jewish holy sites in the West Bank have been sacked and burned. The old Charter that calls for the destruction of Israel is still circulated by the Palestinian Authority, and the PA schools seem focused on turning their children into Shahid (‘Martyrs’).

In 2000, Israel even caved in — saying it would abandon the settlers on the West Bank and Gaza Strip, let the PA have a nation of their own, and would allow some of the ‘refugees’ of 1948 to return and would compensate the rest. Arafat nodded yes to this new deal when in Washington, and set a mass terror offensive in motion as soon as he returned to the West Bank. What he really wants is the utter extinction of Israel.

Currently Palestinian activists are launching a major propaganda offensive against Israel inside western nations — even here in Canada. But when it comes to deciding what is true and what is not, look at how Israel and the Palestinian Authority keep their word… You can only trust one party, and you certainly can’t trust Yasser Arafat and his minions.

John Thompson is President of the Mackenzie Institute which studies political instability and terrorism. He can be reached at: mackenzieinstitute@bellnet.ca