Iraq and a hard place

Editorial

Prospects are grim for the resumption of peace talks between the Israelis and the Palestinians.

"Before returning to the diplomatic track there is a need for ending terror ... and for replacing the existing leadership," Israel's Prime Minister Ariel Sharon told the Knesset Feb. 28.

Five days later, a Palestinian suicide bomber struck Israel again, this time in Haifa, leaving at least 15 dead and many more injured.

Where was Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat when all this happened? Holed up in a Ramallah bunker.

In response to past terrorist attacks, Israel has targeted the PA's security infrastructure and reoccupied every West Bank town except for Jericho, ending the PA's autonomy.

The United States and Israel continue to call for the appointment of a Palestinian prime minister, reducing Arafat's influence.

In response, the PA has recommended Mahmoud Abbas, a moderate who has labeled the 29-month intifada a mistake; Arafat has suggested Monib al-Masri, a billionaire businessman with no political experience or clout - a political puppet.

In the meantime, the PA cannot meet to discuss these candidates because of Israeli-imposed travel restrictions.

And Sharon's increased targeting of Hamas, among other groups, continues to whip up animosity and the likelihood of violent reprisals.

We should not think for an instant that Sharon and his hard-line government appeared out of nowhere. His latest electoral victory was Israeli voters' response to uncontrolled terrorist acts. A majority of Israelis once favored the creation of a Palestinian state.

Today, 61 percent are opposed. Sharon's democratically elected coalition reflects this sentiment. None of the four coalition partners is calling for a resumption of peace talks. The National Union and the National Religious Party reject the formation of a Palestinian state. Sharon's Likud is split between the outright rejection and limited acceptance of a state. The Shinui party wants to resume talks only when Arafat is ousted.

President Bush most likely will not insist upon negotiations until the U.S. conflict with Iraq is in check.

Meanwhile, what was Arafat's latest statement about peace with Israel? He asked Iraq's Saddam Hussein for help: "Any kind of support ... in these difficult times will enable us to continue our persistence and resistance," Arafat wrote to Saddam, Middle East Media Research Institute reports. "Hand in hand," Iraq and the Palestinians will march to Jerusalem, Arafat added.

In the near future, should Israel reach across the divide for a partner in peace, it's unlikely anyone will be reaching back.

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