(International Herald Tribune) Aaron David Miller = Unilateral actions as a substitute for negotiations cannot work, and will only exacerbate the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Under current circumstances, unilateralism has a powerful appeal. If it can enhance Israeli security, preserve a Jewish majority, and disengage Israel from the Palestinian problem, why not pursue it? First, Israeli withdrawal without reciprocity is an unmistakable sign of weakness that could easily diminish, not enhance, Israeli deterrence and security. The strategy of the liberation of Palestine in phases would be given a boost. Second, unilateralism simply cannot produce the practical economic, security, and political arrangements required to end the conflict. This strategic predicament can only be resolved by cleverly negotiated and imaginatively conceived bilateral solutions. Unilateralism will leave an angry and alienated Palestinian population with nowhere to go and nothing to lose.
2004-01-09 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive