Only a Regime Change in Israel Can Reactivate Peace Process

[Classical_Liberal]

Only a Regime Change in Israel Can Reactivate Peace Process
Richard H. Curtiss,

WASHINGTON, 9 November 2003 - Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is in trouble. His two sons, Gilad and Omri, are accused of both joint and separate political corruption crimes. The Fraud Squad is investigating Gilad over a Greek island resort project. Gilad, Omri and their father are also subjects of a campaign finance investigation over funds improperly raised from overseas donors. The younger Sharons have served as their father's agents and either or both could end up in jail.

Israel is a highly litigious country, and such crimes, both real and imagined, are commonplace. Shady financial deals and intrigues can start off with just a whiff of scandal and bring down a government at any time. Many Israelis won't care if their government collapses as long as Sharon is finally and definitively gone. The few Americans who do care would be delighted but for different reasons. Sharon is murderous and has proven it many times. If only all Israelis would unite to get rid of him. The problem is that there are so many rivals and most of them would do anything to take over the prime ministership.

Shimon Peres won't be the next prime minister because Israelis don't trust him. On the other hand, most Americans can pronounce his name and know who he is. A year ago the Israelis tried to bring a Labor government back into office, under Amram Mitzna but it didn't take. There is no question that if Mitzna, the Israeli military hero, had won Israel would have had a new prime minister who would have moved rapidly to solve the Palestine problem. He could have used any combination of previous peace plans that offered a fair break to the Palestinians and that would be acceptable to a majority of the Israelis.

Just to select one of many peace plan options, former Mossad chief Ami Ayalon and Palestinian activist Sari Nusseibeh traveled to the United States to promote a one-page "statement of principles" they drew up. Meanwhile another group of prominent Israelis and Palestinians, including former ministers on both sides, are preparing a complete model peace plan, Geneva Accord, with maps of exact borders. Both plans look quite acceptable. One of these days one of these plans is going to work and Israel and the world will be much better off for it.

http://www.turks.us/article.php?story=20031108213819357