BEGINNINGS

A political culture is born (Noga Tarnopolsky, May. 20, 2003, Jerusalem Post)

[A]bu Mazen, who can still count on more than a few obstacles and more than a few difficult days ahead, courtesy of Fatah, is not the issue here.

The issue is the fact that his appointment was accepted, even demanded, by the Palestinian people. That is the important move. Abu Mazen himself may well fail, for any number of reasons. He may even attempt something awful and Arafatesque, such as lying openly to the president of the United States and not just to another Israeli premier.

But if he does, another prime minister will follow. The simple fact of having a prime minister is the important step. The position itself counts more than the man.

Having heard the open fights "yes Dahlan", "no Dahlan" will lead the way, eventually to more arguments, more demands.

What we are talking about is the creation of a political culture. Eventually, after immeasurable bloodshed, the Palestinian Sadat will arise to Arafat's Nasser. And it will remain for us to find a new Begin.

Difficult as it is for those who have known him as the Bulldozer for 50 years to believe, Ariel Sharon appears to recognize that Israel's best chance for peace is for him to be that new Begin. Posted by Orrin Judd at May 21, 2003 8:53 AM