Yesterday, AFP reported the following:
Sharon orders army to crush militants, says Abbas not lifting a fingerIsraeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon gave his army orders Sunday to crush militants in the Gaza Strip and accused new Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas of failing to lift a finger to stop attacks.“The current situation is unacceptable and cannot be allowed to continue,” Sharon said at the start of the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem.
In Abbas’ defence, it is kind of hard to lift your finger when it is broken.
(AP)
Forgive me for using attempting humor when it comes to the topic of PLO Arab terrorism. It is really no laughing matter. But living here, and constantly having to hear about the countless people being maimed or killed by terror attacks, takes its toll. If I were to constantly blog about every terror attack, each time in a completely serious manner, I would surely quit blogging. For me, blogging is somewhat therapeutic, and I want to keep it that way.
Having said that, let me slip into serious mode here. We have heard many world leaders heap praise on the newly-elected PA leader, and express their optimism that peace is more likely with him at the helm of the PLO Arab ship. The problem is that as captain, he is allowing the terrorists to steer the ship, while he should be throwing them overboard.
It is critical that the US administration, as well as that of other leading countries, stress to Abbas that unless he dismantles the terrorist infrastructure and fights terror, there is no hope for a PLO Arab state.
Quite frankly, it does not seem that the US is sending this message to Abbas. For example, I just read this today in the JPost:
Dan Bartlett, a senior advisor to US President George Bush, said in an interview on CNN that it was to be expected that Israel would take immediate steps of retaliation over the killing of innocent civilians.Bartlett expressed confidence that eventually there will be a meeting between Sharon and Abbas. “The road map exists and is applicable, but at the moment the violence must cease.”
While Bartlett is showijg understanding for Israel’s position, passive language such as “the violence must cease” does not send Abbas the right message. It leads him to believe that ceasefires are sufficient. The US must be more unequivocal in outlining the responsibilities of the PA.
