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The Gaza Gamble

(New York Post) Editorial - Over the past few days, the world has witnessed a stunning spectacle in Israel: the government of the Jewish state unilaterally, voluntarily, giving up land in Gaza - and forcing Jewish residents to leave, involuntarily. The depth of sacrifice can't be missed: The settlers see their lives being turned upside down. They see Palestinian terror being rewarded, Israeli security compromised, and a biblical birthright forfeited. Sharon reckons that there is little upside to deploying - endlessly - thousands of Israeli troops to protect 8,500 Jewish settlers from 1.3 million hostile Palestinians. Sharon also knows that Gaza is not likely to remain part of Israel in any final resolution of the Israeli-Arab conflict. By moving unilaterally, he hopes to reach that final point sooner, and with Israel better positioned. The U.S., too, is hoping Israel's move will jumpstart the peace process. Washington believes that any progress toward the creation of a Palestinian state will help in the effort to transform the Middle East and contribute to victory in the War on Terror. Of course, this presumes that such a state is peaceful and democratic, and not itself a sponsor of terror. A risky assumption, to say the least.
2005-08-19 00:00:00
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