(New York Jewish Week) Danny Rubenstein - The Palestinians have several reasons to celebrate. The unilateral nature of Israel's withdrawal is a success for them, as this is a withdrawal for which they are required to make no payment. This is an Israeli withdrawal that comes free of charge. Moreover, the withdrawal puts Israel back on the 1967 border with no amendments or compromises. The day after the pullout, the Palestinians, or so they believe, will also gain control of the border checkpoints, which means Palestinian sovereignty and independence. This is no longer autonomy, the sort they were granted in Oslo, but sovereignty, granted without them having to make any commitments. And what brought this about? The Palestinians have only one explanation: Terror, suicide bombings, and the mortar and Kassam rockets launched at Israeli towns caused the Israeli prime minister to consider withdrawal. They will be looking for a similar process in the West Bank and Jerusalem.
2005-08-05 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive