Despite all evidence to the contrary, there are many who proclaim that Sharon’s “disengagement” plan is a “positive step in the peace process.” Samer Elatrash writes about Sharon’s consistent record:
“Four years into the Palestinian uprising, it is apparent that Sharon has enjoyed a great deal of success, not least because he faces a disorganized opponent. If only Israel were to be left alone for another few years, it may well succeed in dealing yet another irreversible set back to the Palestinians. Sharons ‘disengagement plan’ is no proof that Sharon is willing to pay the ‘painful price’ for peace, but it is evidence that in Sharon, the State of Israel has again found a Prime Minister who is willing to pay the price for gaining timetime to allow the repression of the Israeli army and the creation of more ‘facts on the ground’ to lead to an irreversible situation, which would rule out the establishing of a viable Palestinian state west of the Jordan River. If the shock over George Bushs recent declaration that Israels settlement blocs in the West Bank are realities in the ground were of any indication, one can predict a brief chorus of indignation after some future American president declares that the ‘realities on the ground’ dictate the creation of a Palestinian state elsewhere than the West Bankin the Sinai and Gaza, perhaps.”