The Foreign Service Journal, May 2003

understand that establishing a Palestinian state committed to democracy, human dignity and the rule of law — and peace with Israel, its neighbor — is the formula by which to achieve peace, dignity and economic health for themselves and their culture. In fact, Israel would welcome such a neighbor and partner. Regrettably, Yasser Arafat is not among these enlightened statesmen. When President Clinton proposed a comprehensive peace agreement at Camp David in the fall of 2000, building on the 1993 Oslo accord, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak accepted it, but Arafat rejected it without an explanation or counter- proposal. A meeting in Taba shortly thereafter produced some modifica- tions to the draft, under which Israel agreed to recognize a new Pales- tinian state which would encompass 95 to 97 percent of the disputed area, with its capital in a portion of what is now Jerusalem. In return, Israel asked only to be recognized as a state with safe and secure bound- aries. Again, Arafat denounced the deal, and proceeded instead to authorize a terrorist intifada that continues to this day. As a result, attitudes are harden- ing on both sides. In Israel, the more militant Ariel Sharon succeed- ed Ehud Barak as prime minister and has withdrawn concessions made by his predecessor. Increasingly, the world and the parties are looking to the United States to “impose” or direct a solu- tion to the unfortunate impasse. 18 F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L / M A Y 2 0 0 3 S P E A K I N G O U T There can be no doubt that Jews and Arabs both have historical claims to the land now known as Palestine — a reality that cannot be ignored. 2000 N. 14th Street Suite 500 Arlington, VA 22201 Telephone (703) 797-3259 Fax (703) 524-7559 Tollfree (800) 424-9500