The Road Map and Settlements

Guest Voice: Eli Cadesky - Birthright Alumni

It is often repeated from Abu Mazen, that Israel must stop building settlements, that Israel must adhere to the Road Map and as such must stop building in existing settlements and new ones. What we don't hear is Abbas's commitment under the Road Map. The Road Map that Israel agreed to has 14 additional reservations.

THE FIRST ONE STATES:

"...In the first phase of the plan and as a condition for progress to the second phase, the Palestinians will complete the dismantling of terrorist organizations (Hamas, Islamic Jihad, the Popular Front, the Democratic Front, Al-Aqsa Brigades and other apparatuses) and their infrastructure; collection of all illegal weapons and their transfer to a third party for the sake of being removed from the area and destroyed; cessation of weapons smuggling and weapons production inside the Palestinian Authority; activation of the full prevention apparatus and cessation of incitement.

There will be no progress to the second phase without the fulfillment of all above-mentioned conditions relating to the war against terror. The security plans to be implemented are the Tenet and Zinni plans. [As in the other mutual frameworks, the road map will not state that Israel must cease violence and incitement against the Palestinians]."

When was the road map signed and agreed to? Well before the pull out from Gaza and the Hamas take over ensued. The Road map was signed in 2003 and the unilateral withdrawal from Gaza occured in August 2005. The Palestinian Authority therefore under the Road Map that Israel agreed to, is bound to dismantle Hamas, not increase its power. Perhaps Abbas and the PA do not have the means, or perhaps the desire or maybe even both. Either way that doesn't hold them free and unaccountable, that holds them in default on their debt.

Earth To Abbas, you are not AIG. YOU ARE NOT TOO BIG TO FAIL, IF ANYTHING YOUR PEOPLES PAST PERFORMANCE HAS SHOWN THAT YOU CAN FAIL TIME AND TIME AGAIN.

Eli Cadesky provides opinion pieces to Haaretz, he's conservative but passionate.

The views expressed in this posting are those of the author alone. They do not represent the views or opinions of Heebonics or its staff, nor do they represent the views or opinions of The Canadian Jewish News with whom Heebonics is affiliated.