Now that the so-called disengagement has basically ended, more wth a whimper than a bang, everyone is wondering “what’s next?” Frankly, I don’t think anyone has a clue. But we will start with a Palestinian perspective, from Muhammad Dahlan:
“This is the same Sharon who a month before announcing the disengagement declared that Netzarim and Tel Aviv are the same. It’s clear to us that a deep change has occurred in the perception of Israel’s political leadership and public in regards to the settlements.”
I have to admit I am a bit shocked this day has come. When Sharon first announced the “disengagement,” I was convinced it was nothing but a delaying tactic, and nothing would ever come of it. After all, the statement from Sharon Dahlan quotes, was quite unequivocal. Perhaps somewhere along the line, Sharon convinced himself that if he actually does withdraw from Gaza, it will shut up the rest of the world, most particularly the U.S., forever.
Of course, the best laid plans….The world is very different now than a year and a half ago. George Bush is an unpopular president, involved in a very unpopular mess in the Middle East. Condi Rice, who holds the Presidents ear, is no Colin Powell. She won’t let the situation rest where it is, if only to give her boss some “good news” on the foreign front, particularly in the Middle East.
The Settlers are right about one thing: Sharon, Mr. Security himself, blinked first and gave Hamas and the other Palestinian militants a huge victory. I find this quite astonishing and depressing. Worse, this is a second victory for the militants, after Hezbollah’s defeat of Israel in Lebanon. In fact, just as a reminder, Sharon supported unilateral withdrawal there as well, using the same logic: “if we get out of Lebanon, we won’t have to get out of the West Bank and Gaza.”
So unless something substantive happens soon, Hamas and the rest will most likely pick up their weapons again. Sharon’s insanely blind atttempt to secure a hold in the West Bank through the maniacal Wall project, is as absurd as his equation of Netzarim and Tel Aviv.