The Situation

Text by Robert Rosenberg, images by Silvia Rosenberg (unless otherwise noted)

Judge him by his deeds, not his words

Friday, December 19, 2003

The launch, from Voyages to Promised Lands 1982, Acrylic on paper

The reactions, of course, were largely predictable – the settlers vowed resistance, the Left said it was all a cover for his plan to annex as much as half the West Bank. The Americans (and Russians, Chinese, and Europeans) applauded his commitment to the roadmap but warned against unilateral steps that could prejudice the final status of the territories – and the Palestinians, unsurprisingly, were not at all impressed. Saeb Erekat said Sharon’s speech was about making peace ‘between Israeli and Israeli, not between Israelis and Palestinians.’ Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei’ was saying that he was disappointed by the speech, but he is ready to meet with Sharon – ‘if Sharon is serious.’ The diplomatic correspondents seemed to think the speech signified a dramatic change in Sharon’s thinking and that he is serious. The political reporters said the entire speech was aimed at keeping his coalition together and it was just another way to postpone biting the bullet.

In short, with all due respect to the words, therefore, the real test of his intentions will become apparent if and when the action begins on the hilltops of the West Bank or the dunes and flatlands of Gaza. In any case, sources in the Prime Minister’s Office were saying this morning that before anything happens, Sharon will be going to the U.S. to explain his plan to the administration. That will only take place in January at the earliest. Meanwhile, former IDF Planning Branch commander, Maj. Gen. Giora Eiland, who becomes chairman of the National Security Council in January, will work on the plan for redeployment to the lines Sharon wants, lines he has yet to detail in public.

Recommended articles:

The Barrier of Jerusalem – Political Not Security by Gershon Baskin, December 09, 2003

FOUR HORSEMEN OF THE APOCYALYPSE On November 14, 2003, in a dramatic development, four former Shin Bet chiefs call on the political leadership to make peace with the Palestinians. Read the full interview.

Sharon’s policy is bringing us to the brink of existential abyss a speech by Victoria Buch to the Peace Coalition weekly vigil outside the Prime Minister's Residence, November 29, 2003

The Weathervanes Are Turning Uri Avnery analyzes the changes that led to Ehud Olmert saying Israel must quit the West Bank and Gaza.

Also recommended

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