The stillness now blanketing the Middle East is the result of 10 million Israelis and Palestinians holding their collective breath. In the aftermath of the Sharm-el-Sheik summit between Ariel Sharon and Mahmoud Abbas, might we now, finally, see the beginnings of peace?
Of course it’s too soon to tell. Despite the smiles, handshakes and flags a-flying, no papers were signed, no militants disarmed, no security fence dismantled. The region remains only a few terrorist strikes away from Intifada III.
Forgive us for not dancing in the streets just yet. Having been down this road map before, we need to see a few more concrete steps before we’re convinced of a sea change.
As many analysts pointed out, there are differences between yesterday and today. Most importantly, Yasser Arafat is no longer around to throw his lethal monkey wrench into the works. Even Israel’s Likud government says the current Palestinian leadership appears serious about reducing tensions and working toward genuine peace. That is cause for some hope.
Secondly, as the election of Abbas suggests, the Palestinian people are weary of endless hardship and seem to desire change. Do they want it enough to disarm their terrorists, renounce their martyrdom culture and give up their so-called “right of return”? Nobody knows yet. But in exchange for peace, prosperity and statehood, they might be, and that is cause for some hope.
Thirdly, partners like Egypt, Jordan, the United States and Europe appear more determined than ever to take advantage of the cease-fire. Increased multilateral coordination could make a difference. None of the players wants this to fail, and that is cause for some hope.
Big questions remain. Is Israel ready to enforce its Gaza pullout? Will the images of soldiers dragging Jewish settlers away their homes prove too convulsive for Israeli society? Can Abbas neutralize freelance killers from Hamas without risking his own demise? Can the Palestinian people once and for all accept the fact that Israel is here to stay?
As we said, these are big questions. But one thing is certain. Right now, the talk is not of war but of peace. The guns are lowered, checkpoints are starting to open and people in the region are permitting themselves to feel a flutter of optimism. After four bloody years, they are entitled.
In “The Tempest,” William Shakespeare wrote “what’s past is prologue.” Let us hope the truce will hold, that peace will prevail, and that at least in this case, Shakespeare is wrong.