15 - 21 February 2001
Issue No.521
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Al-Ahram Weekly On-line 15 - 21 February 2001 Issue No.521 |
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The first priority
The dangerous escalation of violence in the Palestinian territories requires immediate intervention to protect the Palestinian people and end the Israeli occupation. Since right-wing Likud leader Ariel Sharon was elected as Israel's prime minister last week, occupation troops have resumed heavy bombardment with tanks and missiles of densely populated Palestinian cities in Gaza and the West Bank. Furthermore, demonstrating a complete lack of respect for international laws and conventions, defeated Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak appeared on television on Tuesday to praise the assassination of a senior Palestinian army officer by missiles fired from Israeli helicopters in Gaza. He also confirmed Israel's policy of deliberate assassination of Palestinian figures suspected of planning attacks on Israeli targets since the Al-Aqsa Intifada started in late September.Israel's tight security measures and military might, however, were unable to prevent a Palestinian father of five from entering Tel Aviv yesterday morning to carry out an attack that resulted in the death of nine Israeli soldiers. The message is that shelling Palestinian towns, assassinating their leaders and shooting children can only result in more violence, and preclude the peace and security Israel needs so desperately.
This Israeli escalation, met by the usual global indifference, came at a time the new US administration and European governments were advising Arab countries "to give Sharon a chance," and wait until he forms his cabinet. Arab governments responded positively to these requests and reiterated their commitment to peace as a strategy. It seems, however, that Sharon and Barak have only agreed to unite in suppressing the Palestinians, adding to Arab fears that the region is about to witness a new wave of violence due to Israel's senseless policies.
After yesterday's attack, many Palestinians expect further Israeli escalation and a tightening of the ongoing siege of their towns and villages. The Arab leaders scheduled to meet in Amman next month must use all their collective influence to end the violence against the Palestinians, and to provide them with international protection. The world must intervene to end the massacres being carried out by the Israeli occupation forces.
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