Why has Ariel Sharon been made minister of foreign affairs at this particular time? Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has engineered this move with great dexterity, forcing General Sharon into a confrontation with the settlers. If the peace process achieves any progress, the extreme right in Israel will constitute an insurmountable obstacle to his becoming prime minister.
On his part, Sharon has repeatedly threatened to bring down Netanyahu's government if the 13.1 per cent withdrawal goes through.
Netanyahu's willingness to enter final-status negotiations aims at sparking off clashes with the Palestinians, who know Sharon's record of brutality. Compared to Sharon's intransigence and extremism, Netanyahu will seem a paragon of moderation.
The general's appointment was the prime minister's choice. It has created a deep rift in Israeli society, disrupted the peace talks in Washington, and damaged the peace process as a whole. Israel's intention to sabotage the peace process through procrastination and provocation will prevail.
Netanyahu and Sharon are competing to please a bunch of ultra-religious racist settlers, who are the real winners in this new round of political jokes. We can expect more bloodshed and more violence. The real loser? Peace, of course.
*This week's Soapbox speaker is the permanent representative of Palestine at the Arab League.
Why has Ariel Sharon been made minister of foreign affairs at this particular time? Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has engineered this move with great dexterity, forcing General Sharon into a confrontation with the settlers. If the peace process achieves any progress, the extreme right in Israel will constitute an insurmountable obstacle to his becoming prime minister.