Jonathan Schanzer8/01/2003
What will be the ultimate resolution of the Israel-Palestinian conflict? Will the Intifada go on forever?
http://www.momentmag.com/survey/survey.html
Jonathan Schanzer, Soref Fellow, Washington Institute for Near East Policy, Washington D.C.
The Intifada, better termed a Palestinian war, will not
continue on asit has. In recent months we’ve witnessed
the recognition of a political, economic, psychological and military Palestinian defeat. Leaders now recognize the
gross miscalculation of the violence launched in September 2000. Indeed, Israel’s reprisals and sanctions have
crippled Palestinian society inside the disputed territories.
This, coupled with anger over political corruption, has
sparked an urgency for political reform. Many Palestinians today also recognize the utility of renewed peace
negotiations.
This, however, doesn’t ensure an end to the conflict. The
Oslo process began with a drive toward peace and reform
in 1993, but came full circle back to violence in 2000. The primary reason for this was the inherent inability of the Palestinian people, and particularly their leadership, to make a crucial decision. The Palestinians must make a choice
between defeating Israel and building a state. They have learned the hard way for more than a half-century that they cannot do both simultaneously. Should the Palestinians
finally commit to building a state while renouncing violence,
a cessation of the conflict will be within view.
http://www.momentmag.com/survey/survey.html
Jonathan Schanzer, Soref Fellow, Washington Institute for Near East Policy, Washington D.C.
The Intifada, better termed a Palestinian war, will not
continue on asit has. In recent months we’ve witnessed
the recognition of a political, economic, psychological and military Palestinian defeat. Leaders now recognize the
gross miscalculation of the violence launched in September 2000. Indeed, Israel’s reprisals and sanctions have
crippled Palestinian society inside the disputed territories.
This, coupled with anger over political corruption, has
sparked an urgency for political reform. Many Palestinians today also recognize the utility of renewed peace
negotiations.
This, however, doesn’t ensure an end to the conflict. The
Oslo process began with a drive toward peace and reform
in 1993, but came full circle back to violence in 2000. The primary reason for this was the inherent inability of the Palestinian people, and particularly their leadership, to make a crucial decision. The Palestinians must make a choice
between defeating Israel and building a state. They have learned the hard way for more than a half-century that they cannot do both simultaneously. Should the Palestinians
finally commit to building a state while renouncing violence,
a cessation of the conflict will be within view.
