Spring Break
Sharon has the chance to achieve 'bigger goals'
By: David Shoemaker
Issue date: 11/8/04 Section: Opinion
According to the Arab News, there was major fighting in the Gaza as recently as Oct. 16, with Israeli troops pulling out after two weeks of combat operations.
The Gaza Strip is a drain on Israeli military and political resources and also generates more problems from Palestinian retaliation for Israeli actions in the area. The Israelis would get several benefits from a withdrawal of settlements from Gaza. One benefit is Israel will no longer be responsible for the Strip and will be removing vulnerable targets from an unstable environment. Another benefit will be from a change in public opinion internationally, which in many countries has been harmed by the settlement policy.
The Israeli parliament, the Knesset, recently approved Sharon's plan of dismantling the settlements in Gaza, according to the BBC. But that victory has created even more problems for Sharon, since his government faces the resignation of four main ministers, including former Prime Minister and rival Benjamin Netanyahu. Over the next few months, there will be a series of votes in the Knesset over the details of the plan, according to the BBC but, with the new round of resignations, Sharon's government no longer commands a majority of seats there. Thus, to accomplish his plan, he faces several unpalatable options. He can call new elections, but then faces the risk that those who oppose his plan could come to a majority and undo what has been done so far. He could also try to create a "National Unity" coalition with the left-wing Labor party, but both Likud and Labor have rejected the idea. Thus, Sharon will remain vulnerable to a vote of no confidence until he can solidify his party situation.
In his old age, it appears that Sharon is trying to create a legacy for his country by providing a temporary solution to the conflict, which is quite an unusual occurrence, but now Sharon has burned most of his bridges.
Sharon has done many things over his career. Some have been scorned internationally, such as his Lebanon misadventure. But his desire to see Israel preserved seems to have trumped his desire to see a "Greater Israel." Whether he will eventually be successful in this end remains to be seen. Regardless, Sharon makes for an interesting study in statesmanship in this situation.
The Gaza Strip is a drain on Israeli military and political resources and also generates more problems from Palestinian retaliation for Israeli actions in the area. The Israelis would get several benefits from a withdrawal of settlements from Gaza. One benefit is Israel will no longer be responsible for the Strip and will be removing vulnerable targets from an unstable environment. Another benefit will be from a change in public opinion internationally, which in many countries has been harmed by the settlement policy.
The Israeli parliament, the Knesset, recently approved Sharon's plan of dismantling the settlements in Gaza, according to the BBC. But that victory has created even more problems for Sharon, since his government faces the resignation of four main ministers, including former Prime Minister and rival Benjamin Netanyahu. Over the next few months, there will be a series of votes in the Knesset over the details of the plan, according to the BBC but, with the new round of resignations, Sharon's government no longer commands a majority of seats there. Thus, to accomplish his plan, he faces several unpalatable options. He can call new elections, but then faces the risk that those who oppose his plan could come to a majority and undo what has been done so far. He could also try to create a "National Unity" coalition with the left-wing Labor party, but both Likud and Labor have rejected the idea. Thus, Sharon will remain vulnerable to a vote of no confidence until he can solidify his party situation.
In his old age, it appears that Sharon is trying to create a legacy for his country by providing a temporary solution to the conflict, which is quite an unusual occurrence, but now Sharon has burned most of his bridges.
Sharon has done many things over his career. Some have been scorned internationally, such as his Lebanon misadventure. But his desire to see Israel preserved seems to have trumped his desire to see a "Greater Israel." Whether he will eventually be successful in this end remains to be seen. Regardless, Sharon makes for an interesting study in statesmanship in this situation.
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