Waiting Out Arafat
Washington, D.C.
— far less than the offer made by his that Arafat is a lost cause, incapable
Israeli negotiators at Camp David
he bad news is that in the
predecessor at Camp David and
of ever playing the role of peacemak- envisioned. If Arafat curbs violence
long term, they may be
Taba.
er. But unlike Sharon, who seems to
to their satisfaction, they are pre-
waiting for very different
If that doesn't happen, Sharon will
be waiting for a post-Arafat impasse
pared to change course in their deal-
things.
be content with a sexies of extended
that will simply be easier for Israel to ings with him. They appear to have
There were hints of that dynamic
cease-fire agreements that will per-
manage than the current violent
set the bar higher for Arafat than
this week, only days after a success-
petuate the status quo in the region.
impasse, these administration leaders their predecessors in the Clinton
ful summit between Israeli Prime
Sharon is convinced Washington is
hope that Arafat's demise will jump-
administration — but the goal is still
Minister Ariel Sharon and President
reading from the same sheet of
start the political process. Almost
roughly the same.
George W. Bush that Israeli officials
music, and he was confirmed in that
nobody here believes any Palestinian
If Arafat does not shift gears, they
believe reaffirmed U.S. support for
belief during last week's summit,
leader is likely to emerge who will
hope to move forward swiftly with
their virtual house arrest of
when U.S. officials endorsed
new leaders. Sharon, in contrast,
the Palestinian Authority
his quarantine of Arafat and
seems to be hoping for new
leader. But before Sharon
refrained from criticizing
Palestinian partners who will help
had unpacked his bags after
Israel's forceful military
him put an end to such sweeping
his return to Jerusalem, the
response to recent terror
schemes once and for all. For
administration responded
attacks.
Sharon, the waiting game is a posi-
hopefully to Arafat's letter
But there are important
tive strategy and a political necessity;
promising an end to arms
differences in the tune that
for Bush administration officials, it
smuggling — and blasted
could come back and pro-
is a dangerous transition.
Israel for its latest military
duce dissonance in U.S.-
JAM ES D.
The longer it goes on, officials
actions.
Israel relations. Unlike
here believe, the greater is the likeli-
BES SER
The confusion in Jerusalem
Sharon, the Bush Mideast
hood of some new catastrophe: a ter-
Spe cial
is understandable. The lead-
ror bombing that kills many Israelis,
Comm entary team once believed Arafat
ers of both countries are fed
was a serious peace partner;
an Israeli retaliatory strike that goes
up with Arafat and want to
some still harbor hopes,
accept 42 percent of the land, with
awry, non-conventional attacks by
squeeze him. But beneath
however faint, that he may
the West Bank carved up by settle-
Palestinian terrorists. It also increases
that common goal, they have very
yet do the right thing.
ments and Israeli-patrolled roads —
the opening for regional troublemak-:
different objectives. That points to
If that happens — an unlikely sce-
Sharon's apparent bottom line.
ers like Iran to expand its toehold in
new U.S.-Israel friction if Arafat is
nario, to be sure — the green light
Gaza and the West Bank and raises
replaced by more responsible
that Washington has flashed for
the risks that the violence will ignite
Re-Engaging Talks
Palestinian leadership, or if a miracle strong Israel action could turn red
a regional conflict.
occurs and he does what he has
with stunning swiftness. Others in
Bush administration policymakers
For those reasons, Washington
refused to do so many times in the
the administration, including Vice
want to see an early return to politi-
wants the waiting game to end soon,
past: end the violence and put the
President Dick Cheney and National cal negotiations that will produce a
a desire that could bring the new
terror groups out of business.
Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice,
Palestinian state on almost all of the
mood of U.S.-Israel amity to a swift
In Jerusalem, Sharon is waiting for reportedly share Sharon's conclusion
West Bank and Gaza, as U.S. and
and jolting end. 0
the besieged Palestinian leader to
simply disappear. He is convinced
that Arafat, the clear instigator of
the 17-month-old intifada (upris-
ing), is no longer "relevant," but the
prime minister's options are limited.
Because of the threat of an interna-
tional backlash, he can't assassinate
Arafat or drive him into exile; and
he can't unleash the full might of the
Israel Defense Forces and crush the
People you care about.
And now that the darkness of
Palestinian Authority. So .he is isolat-
terrorism has spread a cloud over our
People you share something
ing his old foe, doing everything in
land, we share something else with
his power to increase Arafat's irrele-
in common with.
our brethren in Israel.
vance, including meeting with alter-
People you would go out of your
native Palestinian leaders.
We feel their pain. And they ours.
way to help if they were hurting.
Our family is hurting.
After Arafat
Do you think of your fellow Jews
Please do what you can to help.
The bottom line to the Sharon poli-
in Israel as family?
cy: to immobilize and neutralize
Visit.
You should.
Arafat until he leaves the scene —
by whatever means. Then, Sharon
Advocate.
We have so much in common.
hopes new Palestinian leaders will
Support.
take over and be more open to the
Our
heritage.
kind of deal he is prepared to offer
Pray.
Our religion.
Our values.
Please support
James D. Besser is a Washington
correspondent. His e-mail address is
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The longer the
waiting game,
the greater risk
of the time bomb
exploding.
FAMILY
II
35