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As the Star noted in its editorial of May 28th, “despite setbacks, the roadmap to peace is the most viable plan in years.”  The real issue now is whether the Israeli public can believe that Palestinian intentions are honorable and that the Palestinian public actually supports a two state solution that includes a Jewish State of Israel.

Israeli attitudes have clearly undergone a sea change in recent years, as evidenced by the fact that it is a center-right Likud-led government that is the first Israeli government to formally recognize the concept of a viable Palestinian state (though previous governments would likely have accepted one had Yasser Arafat truly abandoned his goal of the destruction of Israel).  On the other side, Arafat abrogated every pro-peace document he signed, betraying Israel and his own people, and unleashing and supporting the past 3 years of terror attacks in response to the failure of the Camp David summit, failure brought on by his own refusal to negotiate. Despite this, and despite significant reservations about several of its points, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s Cabinet voted to accept the roadmap in an historic decision last Sunday.

Israelis have already demonstrated their willingness to address the very hard decisions and compromises required in order to achieve peace.  In explaining his support for the Roadmap, Sharon spoke plainly, acknowledging that “It is undesirable for us to rule over a Palestinian population” and affirming the Palestinian right to statehood.  In effect, the Cabinet majority signaled its willingness to make painful concessions, and voted its hope that a new political reality had been created with the appointment of Abu Mazen as the Palestinian Prime Minister.  What is required now from the Palestinians are deeds, and not more vague words, that recognize the legitimacy of Israel, put an end to the terror attacks on its citizens and dismantle the culture and organization of anti Israeli and anti-Semitic incitement.

Unfortunately, the initial signs are not promising.  Polls continue to show widespread Palestinian support for the destruction of Israel and for terrorism – an evil that now afflicts Americans as well.   Palestinian media and schools continue to incite violence and hatred.  The so-called “right of return” (code for the destruction of Israel) is affirmed as an article of faith, without regard to the equal number of Jews who lost homes and property when they were forced out of Arab countries.  Politically, the new Palestinian Prime Minister has yet to be tested, but his press conference with Mr. Powell in the West Bank town of Jericho earlier this month was not broadcast on Palestinian television.  That remains controlled by Arafat, who is clearly loathe to relinquish his authority over negotiations and the many security services.  Moreover, in a sign of widespread Arab rejection of Israel, senior diplomats from Arab and Muslim states boycotted last Tuesday’s meeting of the Conference on Disarmament to protest against Israel serving in its presidency this month.

Israel, like America, is a vibrant democracy and, like Americans, the overwhelming majority of Israelis are pragmatic people who yearn for both peace and security.  When the Israeli public perceives a real Palestinian partner for peace, it is willing to negotiate.   When they see no real partner, they elect leadership who will focus primarily on security.

Israel can offer political and humanitarian incentives to reinforce positive steps from the Palestinians.  But Abu Mazen must move his people in a new direction.  The challenges he faces are enormous: to dismantle all terrorist organizations and to end incitement, which are the essential first steps required by the Roadmap; to democratize governance; to affirm the legitimacy of a Jewish State of Israel; to tell his people that painful compromises will be required of them and to prepare his public to accept a different vision of their national destiny. The Palestinians deserve better leadership and they deserve a better society – with functioning institutions, democracy and the rule of law. At this moment, it is unclear whether Abu Mazen will be more like Sadat (in which case he will become a hero in Israel) or more like Arafat (in which case the roadmap is irrelevant).

The United States has a critical role to play in encouraging the parties along the path to peace.  When President Bush meets with Mr. Abbas in his upcoming trip to Israel, he must press the Palestinian Prime Minister to translate his words into clear and decisive actions.  If those actions mirror the words he spoke before the Palestinian Legislative Council, that Palestinian aspirations must be implemented by negotiations and not armed struggle and that "the unauthorized possession of firearms...will be relentlessly addressed," then the Palestinians will find in Israel a ready partner to travel down the path of peace.

Offer Korin, JCRC President

David Warshauer, JCRC Chair, Israel Committee