I was gladdened by the news of a cease-fire between the Palestinians and Israel. Without such an agreement, however temporary, it would be impossible to move towards any resolution. But we must remember that a cease-fire can never be maintained if only one side abides by it: the Israeli side, which continues to harbour suspicions regarding the Palestinian factions, must also follow suit and declare the cease- fire officially.
Depending on Israel's course of action the cease- fire may or may not benefit Israel. But it will undoubtedly give the Palestinians a chance to achieve significant gains. For one thing, it will eliminate the validity of the claim that, while Israel seeks peace in the Holy Land the Palestinians insist on bloodshed.
It will also have the advantage of demonstrating to everyone that the Palestinians alone can decide whether and when to stop, or return to, armed resistance; and that it is the Palestinian leadership that controls the resistance, not vice versa. The cease-fire will, finally, result in its being Israel's turn to take action, and the world will be waiting to see what kind of action it will choose to take.
I was gladdened by the news of a cease-fire between the Palestinians and Israel. Without such an agreement, however temporary, it would be impossible to move towards any resolution. But we must remember that a cease-fire can never be maintained if only one side abides by it: the Israeli side, which continues to harbour suspicions regarding the Palestinian factions, must also follow suit and declare the cease- fire officially.
