BEYOND MIDEAST PROMISES

 Editorial de  “The New York Times” del 10.06.2003

A rare and alarming collaboration took place on Sunday: three Palestinian terror groups carried out a joint attack at an entrance to the Gaza Strip, killing four Israeli soldiers. Two of the groups, Hamas and Islamic Jihad, are militantly Islamic. The third, Al Aksa Martyrs Brigades, is associated with Fatah, the nationalist movement of Yasir Arafat. The attack came the day after Mr. Arafat belittled the peace summit meeting attended by the Palestinian prime minister, Mahmoud Abbas.

The events underline the need to repudiate Mr. Arafat, something Arab and some European governments fail to do by continuing to meet with him. It is also time to recalculate the divide within Palestinian society. Rather than categorize groups as Islamist or nationalist, one should distinguish between those that favor a negotiated two-state solution and those that pursue violence and terror. It is the difference between those who focus on their grievances and those working for peace. Although they theoretically accept a two-state solution, Mr. Arafat and Fatah radicals have become dangerous obstacles and must be seen as every bit as hostile as Hamas, which rejects Israel's existence.

The road map to peace that is supposed to be guiding Israelis and Palestinians over the next few years requires not just encouraging words but constructive actions. It was gratifying yesterday to note that Ariel Sharon, the Israeli prime minister, did not duck his promise to begin dismantling settlement outposts. The first groups of uninhabited hilltop trailers were torn apart by Israeli soldiers last night and promises were made for the removal of another dozen or so.

The Palestinian response was one of derision. While it is true that removing a few uninhabited trailers and a water tower or two hardly constitutes the "painful sacrifices" that Mr. Sharon has advertised, it was an important first step, one that Mr. Sharon might have delayed under right-wing pressure following the killing of the soldiers. All the outposts need to come down immediately and then action should follow on the real settlements, starting with a freeze on their growth.

But Mr. Abbas must also do more than issue promises. Yesterday he gave assurances once again that he was working to bring Hamas and Islamic Jihad into a truce against attacks on Israelis. His own house — Fatah — must be put in order by ending the terror of the Al Aksa brigade. It seems likely that Mr. Arafat is egging on the attacks to undermine Mr. Abbas. This means that other key Palestinians — writers and thinkers, supporters abroad and legislators — need to get behind the Palestinian prime minister. He seems genuine in his desire for peace. But he must find a way to move beyond words — and everyone, including Israel and the United States, must help him.