(New York Daily News) - Shimon Peres The Palestinians claim that as long as they are under occupation it will be hard for them to control the insurgent factions. The truth is that the Palestinians have to contend with terrorist occupation by militant organizations that have become a law unto themselves. As long as Hamas and Islamic Jihad dictate the Palestinian agenda - and indirectly also Israel's - it will be hard for Israel to withdraw from the territories. Israel had already withdrawn from parts of the territories and transferred responsibility for security to the Palestinians. When terror in these areas became rampant, however, the IDF was forced to control them again. I believe the IDF would withdraw anew if the Palestinians curbed terrorist activities and ensured security.
2003-06-09 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive