27 Dec. 2001 - 2 Jan. 2002
Issue No.566
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Al-Ahram Weekly Online 27 Dec. 2001 - 2 Jan. 2002 Issue No.566 |
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Peace on earth
Israel's decision to forbid Yasser Arafat from attending Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem highlighted the ugly reality of life under occupation. It was also yet another example of Israel's disdain for peace agreements it signed under international auspices.
Arafat, the symbol of national unity for Muslim and Christian Palestinians alike, has attended the Christmas celebrations every year since his return to his homeland in 1994. Bethlehem was also among the first Palestinian towns Israel evacuated after signing the 1993 Oslo peace deal. But after all, Israel has already re-occupied many parts of the West Bank and Gaza; so what difference do peace agreements make?
To humiliate the Palestinian people, Ariel Sharon disregarded international appeals to lift his month-long siege on Arafat in his office in Ramallah. The European Union, the Vatican, six Christian denominations represented in the Holy Land, and even Israeli commentators criticised the decision, which gives the lie to Israel's claim that it protects religious freedom and guarantees free access to holy sites.
Worse than Sharon's practices, though, is the world's opprobrious acceptance of Sharon's measures against the Palestinian leader and Israel's collective punishment of over three million Palestinians. The US, always ready to criticise Arafat for "failing" to protect Israel's security, willingly consents to Israel's continued abuse of the Palestinian people.
Sharon will now foment a new cycle of violence. Hamas and Jihad have both responded positively to Arafat's call for a halt on military attacks against Israel. But Sharon continues to reject peace overtures, which will prevent him from carrying out his plan to take over the West Bank and Gaza once more.
Arab foreign ministers meeting in Cairo a week ago wanted to let Washington know that they still expect it to play a positive part in bringing about a settlement between Israel and the Palestinians. It is Washington's turn to reciprocate, and prevent Sharon from escalating tension at this volatile time.
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