OPPOSITE!

Israel Pulls Back From Peace Plan After 4 Attacks (JAMES BENNET, 5/19/03, NY Times)

The new Middle East peace effort stalled today, after a barrage of four Palestinian attacks killed nine bystanders, prompting Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to postpone a trip to see President Bush and to decide that Israel would shun foreign representatives who met with Yasir Arafat,
Israeli officials said.

After convening his cabinet tonight, Mr. Sharon issued an implicit repudiation of a new international peace plan, which calls for simultaneous concessions by both sides and rapid political progress to achieve peace and a Palestinian state in just three years.

"Peace can only be achieved after terror has been eradicated and there is quiet here," read a statement released by Mr. Sharon's office. "Only then will we be able to make progress through political channels."

Israel imposed a "general closure" on the West Bank, barring any Palestinians from crossing the boundary with Israel.

Despite the violence, Mr. Sharon told his cabinet ministers tonight that he intended to continue meeting with the first Palestinian prime minister, Mahmoud Abbas, Israeli officials said.

Mr. Sharon continues to seen hellbent on peace, as witness his determination to continue working with Mr. Abbas despite the pro-forma language repudiating the peace plan. Of course to interrupt the process now would merely hand the terrorists another victory, allowing them to forestall indefinitely the Palestinian statehood they fear. Posted by Orrin Judd at May 19, 2003 10:03 AM