Abu Mazen, gamesman

Clifford May wonders whether Abu Mazen, the new Palestinian Authority prime minister, is serious about stopping terrorism. May, sensible as ever, concludes that the answer is probably no. It is possible that, for tactical reasons, Mazen wants terrorism to stop. But stopping terrorism would require him to take up arms against Hamas and other groups, and there is no indication that Mazen has the courage to do so. May also observes that Mazen is insisting on the Palestinian right of return to Israel as “the basis of peace and co-existence” with Israel. The Israelis cannot agree to this because it would mean an end to the Jewish state. If President Bush is serious about his “roadmap to peace” he should make it clear at the outset that Arab immigration into Israel is off the table.

Notice: All comments are subject to moderation. Our comments are intended to be a forum for civil discourse bearing on the subject under discussion. Commenters who stray beyond the bounds of civility or employ what we deem gratuitous vulgarity in a comment — including, but not limited to, “s***,” “f***,” “a*******,” or one of their many variants — will be banned without further notice in the sole discretion of the site moderator.

Responses