The U.S. "Road Map" plan is taking shape, much to the concern of Israeli government officials. They say that the State Department has made "far-reaching" changes in the plan, which even beforehand was unacceptable to Israel. "The Bush Administration has delivered a sharp blow to Ariel Sharon's government," HaTzofeh newspaper reports about the new edition of the Road Map, and terms it "anti-Israeli." The changes were made after both the Israelis and the PA submitted their comments on the earlier version.
The backbone of the plan is the formation of a Palestinian state, and U.S. President Bush has told reporters more than once that he made it a central part of his plan only after Ariel Sharon suggested it himself. On the other hand, even Sharon has not called for it as quickly and unconditionally as Bush now seems to want. The Road Map states that an independent Palestinian state will be established in the second half of 2003, or between 7-13 months from now. In blatant opposition to Israel's stance, the U.S. plan calls for international supervision in Yesha by the Quartet - Europe, Russia, the United Nations, and the U.S.
The new U.S. plan demands that Israel take down all construction in Yesha that was built in the past few months - and certainly to build no new buildings, including those needed for "natural growth." In return, the Palestinians must do -- nothing, at least with regard to terrorism. They are not required to stop their terrorism, murder, or incitement thereof in the initial stages. HaTzofeh notes, however, that this point may be negotiable, and it could be that Israel will have to uproot Jews from their new homes and freeze all construction only after an official PA declaration of a total stop to violence. The plan also contains a timetable for PA reforms, Israeli withdrawals, and more.
The backbone of the plan is the formation of a Palestinian state, and U.S. President Bush has told reporters more than once that he made it a central part of his plan only after Ariel Sharon suggested it himself. On the other hand, even Sharon has not called for it as quickly and unconditionally as Bush now seems to want. The Road Map states that an independent Palestinian state will be established in the second half of 2003, or between 7-13 months from now. In blatant opposition to Israel's stance, the U.S. plan calls for international supervision in Yesha by the Quartet - Europe, Russia, the United Nations, and the U.S.
The new U.S. plan demands that Israel take down all construction in Yesha that was built in the past few months - and certainly to build no new buildings, including those needed for "natural growth." In return, the Palestinians must do -- nothing, at least with regard to terrorism. They are not required to stop their terrorism, murder, or incitement thereof in the initial stages. HaTzofeh notes, however, that this point may be negotiable, and it could be that Israel will have to uproot Jews from their new homes and freeze all construction only after an official PA declaration of a total stop to violence. The plan also contains a timetable for PA reforms, Israeli withdrawals, and more.