Disengagement from Gaza and Muslim responsibilities
Emanuel Shahaf, Jerusalem
These days, after a very long and arduous period during which the Middle-East Peace Process was not moving anywhere, a major change is being implemented by Israel, albeit almost unilaterally: The disengagement from the Palestinian territories in the Gaza strip. While this move was long overdue and is again proof that democratic governments will decide on the right policy only after having tried everything else, it is nevertheless a huge step in the right direction, towards a total disengagement from all or most Palestinian territories in the framework of a peace agreement that would receive international legitimacy.
Unfortunately it appears that this is not what PM Sharon has in mind and as it seems now, he intends for Israel to withdraw into a defensive "bunker" position and stick to the status-quo, a continued occupation of Palestinian territories in the West-Bank until further notice.
The tremendous trauma caused to the large national camp in Israel by the disengagement and constant exhortations by radical Palestinians that they will continue the armed attacks against Israel even after the withdrawal do not bode well for a renewal of the peace process and prospects for further Israeli withdrawals.
This is the time for the international Muslim community to step in and contribute meaningfully to help Israel and the Palestinians along the way by engaging positively and give credit where credit is due: Israel, for the first time ever, is dismantling civilian settlements and turning them over to Palestinian sovereignty and is doing so on it's own initiative, in recognition that this is the best way of action.
Israel should be encouraged by all Muslim countries to continue this process and the encouragement should not be limited to verbal recognition -- tangible and meaningful actions should be taken to help remove Israel's not wholly unjustified fear that disengagement which is, after all, interpreted by the Palestinians as a sign of weakness, will only increase Muslim threats.
Those Muslim nations that do not have diplomatic relations with Israel should establish them and those that already have diplomatic relations with Israel should actively encourage economic cooperation, bilateral tourism and people to people exchanges.
Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim nation and a leader of moderate Islam has long been reticent to make a move in this direction. The present situation gives her an opportunity to take the lead and help remove PM Sharon's excuses for stonewalling: The establishment of diplomatic relations with Israel, partial or in full, in recognition of Israel's courageous and internally divisive move, will set a sign for others and if managed judiciously, will help prod Israel to continue on the only road that is possible, a negotiated withdrawal from other Palestinian territories to reach a peace agreement that can obtain international legitimacy.
The writer is a retired (Israeli) diplomat who served in South East Asia from 2000-2003.