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Thursday, August 21, 2003
Hopes for peace on life support
Amid the horror in Jerusalem, hope for peace clings to life support.
The Israeli government showed a remarkable degree of restraint with promises yesterday to avoid any large-scale offensive in response to the suicide bus bombing. The Palestinian Authority's quick decision to break off contacts with two terrorist groups also helped.
At least for the moment, President Bush's road map to peace remains alive. Thank goodness.
The regional peace initiative offers the best opportunity for ending the violence that has done such awful damage to the dreams of Israeli and Palestinian people.
After Tuesday's bombing, the president and U.S. diplomats moved promptly to head off a breakdown of peace efforts. Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon responded with willingness to give Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas some chance to impose control on militant groups.
Abbas is in a difficult position. International aid may be needed to help him build a real security apparatus, but greater aid may depend on evidence of Palestinian action to aggressively police terrorists. An Israeli decision to stop killing militant leaders would reduce emotions and help solidify the position of Abbas and other moderates among the Palestinian public.
The situation will remain tense. Despite the initial restraint, a misstep on any side could still wreck the recent diplomatic progress. If that happens, hope will die with the other casualties.
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