Prime Minister Sharon, addressing the third annual Herzliya Conference last night, reiterated his support for U.S. President Bush's "road map" plan, including a Palestinian state, and set out the conditions under which he sees it unfolding. He began by noting the PA's campaign of terrorism, "meticulously planned and prepared by the PA chairman" Yasser Arafat, but which has "not defeated and will never defeat the State of Israel." He noted that the war costs money, and expressed the "hope and belief" that the U.S. will soon send some "special aid."
He then expressed Israel's acceptance of the principles of the Bush plan, emphasizing that nothing can proceed before a complete cessation of terror. He later said, however, that Israel would take measures such as "creat[ing] territorial continuity between Palestinian population centers" - i.e., withdrawing from cities such as Jenin, Shechem, and Hevron - even while the Palestinians were still engaged in making a "sincere and real effort to stop terror."
In sum, Sharon sees five things happening at the same time:
Though Sharon emphasized that Israel need not make political concessions before an absolute cessation of terror, he does not see an IDF withdrawal from the cities as such. This is because he feels that political concessions, such as Israel's handing over of parts of Yesha to the PA, are irreversible. Dr. Aaron Lerner of IMRA, however, notes that this is not true, as Article 31 of the Interim Oslo Agreement states, "Neither Party shall be deemed, by virtue of having entered into this Agreement, to have renounced or waived any of its existing rights, claims or positions."
After all of the above has been accomplished, Sharon said, the next phase begins to come into effect: The establishment of a Palestinian state. Sharon has a very specific vision of this entity: "This Palestinian state will be completely demilitarized. It will be allowed to maintain lightly armed police and interior forces to ensure civil order. Israel will continue to control all entries and exits to the Palestinian state, will command its airspace, and not allow it to form alliances with Israel's enemies."
The "pareve" nature of that state is only temporary, however, as Sharon noted that the third stage of the Road Map calls for negotiations to determine the "final status of the Palestinian state and fix its permanent borders."
Sharon concluded his talk by acknowledging the risks of the above plan, but noted "there are also enormous opportunities." Previous methods have failed, he said, and "we must, in all stages, act with prudence and determination, exercise judgment, and make very sure that all commitments and agreements are implemented by both sides."
He then expressed Israel's acceptance of the principles of the Bush plan, emphasizing that nothing can proceed before a complete cessation of terror. He later said, however, that Israel would take measures such as "creat[ing] territorial continuity between Palestinian population centers" - i.e., withdrawing from cities such as Jenin, Shechem, and Hevron - even while the Palestinians were still engaged in making a "sincere and real effort to stop terror."
In sum, Sharon sees five things happening at the same time:
- Political reforms within the P.A.
- Security reforms within the P.A.
- A sincere and real effort to stop terror
- P.A. reforms in the areas of education, media, anti-Israel incitement, and the judicial system
- Israeli measures: lifting military pressure, territorial continuity between Palestinian population centers, and easing daily life for the Palestinian population.
Though Sharon emphasized that Israel need not make political concessions before an absolute cessation of terror, he does not see an IDF withdrawal from the cities as such. This is because he feels that political concessions, such as Israel's handing over of parts of Yesha to the PA, are irreversible. Dr. Aaron Lerner of IMRA, however, notes that this is not true, as Article 31 of the Interim Oslo Agreement states, "Neither Party shall be deemed, by virtue of having entered into this Agreement, to have renounced or waived any of its existing rights, claims or positions."
After all of the above has been accomplished, Sharon said, the next phase begins to come into effect: The establishment of a Palestinian state. Sharon has a very specific vision of this entity: "This Palestinian state will be completely demilitarized. It will be allowed to maintain lightly armed police and interior forces to ensure civil order. Israel will continue to control all entries and exits to the Palestinian state, will command its airspace, and not allow it to form alliances with Israel's enemies."
The "pareve" nature of that state is only temporary, however, as Sharon noted that the third stage of the Road Map calls for negotiations to determine the "final status of the Palestinian state and fix its permanent borders."
Sharon concluded his talk by acknowledging the risks of the above plan, but noted "there are also enormous opportunities." Previous methods have failed, he said, and "we must, in all stages, act with prudence and determination, exercise judgment, and make very sure that all commitments and agreements are implemented by both sides."