peace process

Two recent documents – the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice in The Hague and a report of the International Development Committee of the British Parliament – both purporting to base their conclusions on legal grounds, actually show how abysmally ignorant of the most rudimentary facts of law and history these bodies are.

Politics, especially related to security and the putative peace process, have always dominated Israeli public life. They became, inevitably, an end in themselves, consuming immense energies and resources. As a result, Israel neglected its many economic and social problems, with negative repercussions on security and peace as well.

The present political turmoil in Israel over the reshuffling of Sharon’s coalition is a good example. It seems that for the sake of an uncertain disengagement plan – a unilateral withdrawal, really – Sharon is going to threaten the one major achievement of his coalition: an economic reform that will greatly strengthen Israel and also enhance its ability to make peace.

The Wall’s greatest drawback is that it punishes the innocent along with the guilty, and often instead of them. The wall will worsen the already miserable condition of the Arab population upon which terrorist organizations thrive.