By Congressman Jim McDermott, Special to JTNews
For a short moment, there seemed to be hope for a sincere
rapprochement between the Israeli government and a new Palestinian leadership that promised to push forward democratic reform and to end terrorism. But, once again, the enemies of peace tried everything in their power to shatter our hopes. The recent terror attacks in Israel are stark reminders of the precarious situation in which our closest ally in the region finds itself.
So much blood has been shed since the Camp David Summit failed in the summer of 2000. Since the beginning of the so-called “Al-Aqsa Intifada,” more than 700 Israelis and 2,300 Palestinians have lost their lives. Those sad numbers are reason enough to compel us to try to find new ways to end the circle of violence, loss, sadness, shock and trauma.
Because of my strong personal commitment to the State of Israel and its security, I am very supportive of any idea that carries with it the promise of peaceful life for every Israeli, a life free of fear of becoming a victim of this insane violence.
The only reasonable way out of this dilemma is negotiation. After nearly three years of neglect, the Bush Administration has decided to become more engaged in efforts to bring both sides back together. The Road Map is a significant document. It could become the catalyst for a new peace process between Israelis and Palestinians. This initiative deserves our support.
I am not alone in this judgment. The majority of Israelis agree. Yedioth Ahronoth found in its May 2 poll that 65 percent of Israelis favor entering negotiations with the Palestinians on the basis of the Road Map, while 25 percent oppose it. A survey by Ma’ariv conducted on the same day showed 52 percent thinking that Israel should adopt the Road Map and 20 percent rejecting it. Here in the United States, the Road Map was met with strong support by members of American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), the American Jewish Committee, the Israel Policy Forum, the World Jewish Congress, and Americans for Peace Now.
There are many good reasons for supporting the Road Map. The Palestinians have begun to fulfill their requirements by establishing a new government that is not compromised by implicitly or explicitly endorsing terrorism. Mahmoud Abbas and the Palestinian officials associated with him should get our support for pursuing transparent and accountable governmental institutions and a security apparatus that truly fights terrorism.
The best way to weaken the radical opponents of Mahmoud Abbas is to make concessions that will allow him to demonstrate to the Palestinian people that it pays to return to the negotiating table; focusing on the “performance” of one side rather than on the simultaneous implementation of the initiative’s provisions will preclude that crucial piece.
In other words, if the end of all violence is a precondition for further negotiations or for Israeli compliance with the steps outlined in the Road Map, we indirectly empower those we want to marginalize. It would take only one brainwashed suicide bomber to halt the whole process. This will embolden those people and organizations that spend their days plotting against the vision of an Israel secure and at peace with its neighbors.
Our best hope of breaking the circle of violence is to continue implementing the Road Map. We must not let the enemies of peace dictate our policies. We must not retreat from our objective: a safe, secure nation of Israel.