The Roadmap to Hell

The Roadmap to Hell

Commentary by Sanford D. Horn

June 5, 2003

The somewhat historic handshake between Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas signaled a positive step toward peace in the Middle East. After all Sharon and PLO dictator Yassir Arafat never shook hands, and rightfully so, for to do so would be equating the two as peers on the global stage.

However, that handshake should not be overblown beyond what it was – a handshake. There is still a long road ahead and the alleged roadmap for peace is truly a roadmap to hell for Israel and the survival of the Jewish State.

Once again, as has historically been the case, land for peace is the issue – and once again, there is no guarantee that peace will be achieved even after land is surrendered. Israel should cede no land. Not now, not ever. Not one square inch. The White House has correctly called for the Palestinian Authority to declare a war on terrorism, not just the temporary cease fire the PA had proposed. Temporary – not permanent. Once land is gone, it is gone, to paraphrase the late great Rabbi Meir Kahane, assassinated by Arab terrorists.

“Our goal is clear, and we will implement it firmly and without compromise: a complete end to violence and terrorism,” said Palestinian Prime Minister Abbas said on June 4.

Those are bold words coming from a man who has as much control over such terrorist groups as Hamas, as Washington-area residents have over whether or not the Montreal Expos will ever play baseball in DC. Hamas is virulently against the proposed roadmap having vowed to continue its homicidal attacks until it controls and possesses all of Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Sharon already made the mistake of releasing nearly 100 Palestinian prisoners. Granted, he did so as a show of good faith, but what did he get in return? Agreeing to “remove unauthorized outposts,” again is a sign of good faith by Sharon, but what did he get in return? This is a system of blackmail. The Palestinians make demands in exchange for a possibility that they will stop killing innocent Israelis – maybe. Sharon, in making these concessions is behaving somewhat hypocritically when he said on June 4, “there can be no compromise with terror.”

Heinous acts of terror and homicide bombings continue to be a means to an end – proving that violence accomplishes a goal. That goal is the creation of a Palestinian state. And that is the Palestinian roadmap – keep killing Israelis until there is no more Israel.

Both Sharon and Abbas called for a peaceful coexistence between the Israelis and the Palestinians. It should happen.

“It is in Israel’s interest not to govern the Palestinians, but for the Palestinians to govern themselves in their own state. A democratic Palestinian state fully at peace with Israel will promote the long-term security and well-being of Israel as a Jewish state,” said Sharon on June 4.

“Our goal is two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side, in peace and security,” said Abbas on June 4, however, also calling for “end[ing] the occupation that began in 1967,”

That should not happen. Israel was attacked, defended itself and won a war. Again to paraphrase Rabbi Meir Kahane, “when you win, you win. You don’t give back land.”

There should be a Palestinian state – which by right should be in what is present day Jordan. (It seems ironic that Jordan should play host to this Middle East peace summit.) Israel, as a Jewish State, and a Palestinian state should exist – seperately, with the Palestinians living freely outside of Israel – freely, but without a military, just a police force for its internal governance. Both nations should have secure borders – unlike the sieve existing on the US-Mexico border. Strict and rigid border patrols should exist for the protection of both peoples.

In time, the two nations might engage in trade, educational exchanges and perhaps even sporting events. Soccer, baseball or basketball contests certainly sound better than war. So, batter up for peace – the right way.

Sanford D. Horn is a writer and political consultant living in Alexandria, VA.