I also believe that this is an oppertunity.

What it is missing is a statement from Israel that it is not abandoning the roadmap to peace (which accepts Palestinian ownership of all ares in teh WestBank) and that this is an initial step.

As such the Palestinians should welcome the step and engage in discussions with the Israeli government for ways to achieve the entire peace plan.

Personally I believe that a good plan would be if Israel withdraws from all occupied areas except for the few identified in WestBank but agrees that those areas do belong to the Palestinians and will eventually be returned to their control. These areas can then return to Palestinian control over time as stability is achieved and the Israelis who live there can feel safe living under a Palestinian state. Return to Palestinian control does not necessarily mean eviction for the Israelis living there. The land could be bought by the Israelis (or their government) with the money used to crete housing for those displaced. The land must remain part of Palestine though.

Paul.

It cant work. If Hitler took over the USA, and offered the land back to the Americans, with exception of Texes, New York and Washington, would we accept it?

Occupation is nothing new. We have no intention of ever giving back land to the Native Americans, do we?

If we decided to give Native Americans most of the land back, but not all of it, would it be wise for them to take it or to refuse and fight for everything hoping against all odds that we eventually give it all back? How much of a chance does Palestine have of receiving all the land back? If it's not much, then maybe they should take what they can or accept that they might never get back the land.

It can work as long as the Palestinians and the Israelis leave separately. I don't think that aid should come from just Arab countries. They may have money, but don't necessarily have the type of institutions that work. I also wonder if the Arab countries would be willing to invest in Palestine. Since I don't know if they invest in other countries, this is just a question. However, former Palestinians might be willing to invest, if they were assured of safety.

Larry:

I've been meaning to give this article more attention, but I haven't yet. However, I caught the tail end of a news report the other day, and wasnt sure I heard it correctly. I'm hoping you saw it too! From what I gathered, Sharon mentioned that he planned to go ahead with the Gaza withdrawl even if the Knesset didn't approve it. Have you heard this? How would he be able to do that?

Also, I agree that free elections need to take place, but I also think that there needs to be an effort directed at addressing the lack of civil society. Palestinians have lived under occupation for so long, that withdrawl might lead to immediate choas. Before a withdrawl occurs, specific plans need to be formulated for who Palestine will deal with perceived anarchy that may result. It may be worth considering a UN presence in the region.

It can work as long as the Palestinians and the Israelis leave separately.

Yes and No. I do believe that Palestinians and Israelis can live peacefully side by side. I think the average citizens in the regions want to, but you have your extremists who don't make that possible and create a sense of perpetual fear. That said, the only way for Israel to remain a Jewish and democratic state is for a two state solution. If there isn't a two state solution, the Palestinians are going to outnumber the Jewish Israelis soon. Israeli would then have to choose between beign a democracy and being a Jewish state. For that reason, and not because I don't think they can live together peaceful, a two state solution would be more desirable. Of coures, there are also issues with that...

On the separate state issue I totally agree.

Any Israeli's who wish to remain on Palestine land though must accept the authority of the Palestinian state over them. The only other options are for Israel to annex the land or Palestine to evict the settlers. Netiher are politically acceptable solutions.

Paul.

Sorry that I have been neglecting this thread. I got really busy at work, then had a touch of the flu. Ah, well. Try to catch up now.

Sherye said "I don't think that aid should come from just Arab countries. They may have money, but don't necessarily have the type of institutions that work." You are right about the lack of institutions, but it still is of paramount importance to make a statement to the rest of the world regarding Arab independence. For their morale and in the eyes of the world, it must be an Arab solution.

shadesofgrey, I have no idea how Sharon would have dealt with defeat in the Knesset, possibly leading to a "no confidence" vote, but his plans squeaked by, winning by one vote I believe.

shadesofgrey and solitair, you are both right. A UN presence might help ease the transition, but only if accepted by the Palestinians. It is up to the Arab states that have financial leverage to ensure that acceptance. And Solitair's point is well-taken. Israelis that stay must accept Palestinian jurisdiction, just as Palestinians who choose to live in Israel must accept Israeli jurisdiction.

This is an important, but interrim step. The Palestinian Authority has rejected the plan. Israel will continue anyway. The outcome will be a vacuum of authority, unless pressure from the outside world forces Arafat to reconsider.