Although I was (and still am) a strong opponent of Bush & Co’s war in Iraq, I must admit that I feel a great sense of relief that the war ended quickly. While the loss of Iraqi life was great, most opponents of the war (rightfully) worried about far worse.
Whatever one’s feelings about the war before it happened, as I noted in an earlier piece the focus now has to shift to the future. The relatively quick and successful military victory has caused a mighty upheavel in the region. And Israel continues to be in the center of the upheavel. The focus of US and world attention is shifting again to the Palestine/Israel conflict. Abu Mazen resolved his differences with Arafat and will soon be the “Prime Minister” of the “Palestinian Authority” – whatever that might mean for a territory and people under totalitarian rule by Israel. One practical consequence, however, is that the “road map” will soon be on the table.
In the first of several articles I will reference in trying to sort out where this road map may lead, Akiva Eldar gives us some guidance.
Personally I am not too optimistic. Bush does not seem to be very enthusiastic about dealing with the Israel/Palestine conflict, and is most likely going through the motions as a pay-off to Tony Blair. I can say with great confidence that Sharon won’t pass one of Eldar’s tests. Abu Mazen is no different than Arafat in his ideology, so the gap between the Palestinian position and the Israeli one has not narrowed one little bit by Abbas’ appointment to his new post. The Palestinian people are not impressed and see this as US and Israeli manipulation, not genuine change. The day started with a suicide bombing in Kfar Sava, Hamas’ response to the appointment.
And yet. Since I started with the lessons of history, certainly we all know that great change and upheaval always has consequences no one can forsee in advance. It is quite possible that the peoples of the region will sieze on these energies and take control of their own destinities. Let us hope.
