M Files: PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST
It has been suggested that the United States is the only nation capable of bringing peace to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Quite frankly, I can’t agree. While we are the last remaining superpower, our power is limited to those actions that we alone can undertake. However, we must take a stand if there is to be peace in our time. We cannot sit idly by and wait it out. The region is too important to the world… We must choose sides and ACT.
The acts of terrorism committed by Palestinian forces must be stopped. Those who believe that terrorism is the only way to get what they want must be silenced. Those who fail to call acts such as the targeting and murder of innocents as anything less than terrorism must be held accountable for their role.
Recently, it was proposed by an advisor to the Israeli Prime Minister that assassination of PLO leader Yassir Arafat was something that could and should be considered by the state of Israel. It should be considered, and the threat should be made, but I also believe that such an act would enrage Arab Muslims in the region. Arafat must be made to realize that he is responsible for stopping the terrorism of Hamas and all the other organizations that stand in the way of a real, lasting peace with Israel. It is his responsibility. As the leader of the Palestinians, and he has shown absolutely no interest in stepping down, he must stop the terrorism. The first step is his to take and only he can take it. He has interfered with the legitimate attempts by former Prime Minister Abbas to crack down on the terrorists. He maneuvered Abbas into a corner where he felt he wasn’t being effective and resigned his position rather than be held up as a puppet for Arafat’s agenda of terror.
If there is to be peace in our time, it will be without Arafat. The man and the organization that he leads will lose power if they ever actually get a Palestinian state. He maintains his power by destroying the peace process whenever and however possible. He plays both sides of the issue of terrorism. He is detrimental to the peace process with Israel and should be removed from power.
Finally, I criticize the Bush administration for not following the Bush Doctrine when it comes to Arafat, the PLO, and Hamas. These people ARE terrorists and should be dealt with in the same manner as Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein. The road to peace is through the dismantling of terror networks all over the world. It is time that the administration realizes their policy and act on it accordingly.
MATT
