Israel Policy Forum: Good Policy, Good Politics
June 5th, 2003

This is from the Israel Policy Forum, a policy institute based in New York. (And a subscriber on this list works there if I remember correctly.)

Truly, as the article suggests, this is an important time from which great things could come. The Prime Ministers of the Israelis and Palestinians sat down yesterday and discussed how to resolve the conflict, the first time they have done so. Sharon said yes to a Palestinian state, Abbas is saying no to terror. Abbas understands that the Intifada and continued terrorism has been a ruinous strategy for the Palestinians, and Sharon agrees that a Palestinian state and an end to the occupation is in Israel's best long-term interests. Finally, Bush has given this the highest priority, and his influence will prove indispensable.


Here are selections from Good Policy, Good Politics, by M.J. Rosenberg of the Israel Policy Forum, published on June 6, 2003.

"Yesterday in Aqaba, Prime Minister Sharon made plain that he accepts that formula. His speech was certainly not dovish; it was utterly security minded: “A democratic Palestinian state at peace with Israel will promote the long-term security and well-being of Israel as a Jewish state,” Sharon said.

"That is the key passage in Sharon’s text because it confirms that Sharon is a security hawk, rather than an ideological hawk. The latter views the military approach as the one effective Israeli response to its difficulties with its neighbors; the former views the military approach as one response, but is willing to try whatever he believes will enhance Israel’s security."

"Asked what he views as that role, Bush said, “I show up when they need me to call people to account, to praise, or to say: wait a minute, you told me in Jordan that you would do this, you haven't done it. Why? How come? What is it? It's to keep the thing moving, keep the processes moving.”

"He certainly is doing that. Without Bush’s commitment there would barely be a process to move, let alone the most promising moment in years."

"Those who believe Bush will not maintain this commitment as his re-election campaign approaches have it backwards. Helping Israelis and Palestinians achieve peace is the smartest international move this President could make to advance his 2004 prospects."