This editorial was in the New York Times today. I think it is a true assessment of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

"You cannot equate blowing up children on a bus with building on land someone else considers his. But you needn't do so to recognize that the one step Israel can and must take now is to freeze the construction of settlements and dismantle the newer settler outposts. This is the necessary course not only because the American-sponsored peace plan, or road map, requires it, and not only because such a move might drive the Palestinians to do something significant on their side, like arrest or disarm a few terrorists. Ending settlement in the occupied lands is central to the survival of the Jewish state." New York Times, Sept 12, 2003

The Bush administration has been pressuring the Palestinians to crack down on terror groups in Gaza and the West Bank, but where is the pressure on the Israelis? They have to do something to make cracking down on terror worthwhile for the moderates in the Palestinian government. The moderates are only now beginning to gain some leverage within Palestinian society.

Unfortunately, rather than making a gesture of conciliation, the Israelis have decided to exile Yassir Arafat. While Arafat might not win a political beauty contest in Palestine, promising to expel him from the West Bank would do exactly the opposite of what is needed. It would unite the moderates and radicals in Palestinian society behind Arafat and further delay any crackdown on terrorism within Palestinian society. In such a situation, the radicals will have the upper hand and the ascendancy of the moderates will be delayed.