Mr. Abbas' next test

[barb162]

Mr. Abbas' next test

The withdrawal of Israeli settlers from the Gaza Strip has been completed with far less turmoil than anticipated. Completion of the move shifts the spotlight onto the Palestinian Authority, which must now show that it can govern Gaza. That means providing both jobs and security to Palestinian residents and ensuring that the newly regained territory is not used as a staging ground for attacks on Israel. The government's failure to prevent terrorists from using Gaza as a haven will undermine any hopes for progress toward peace.
There were fears that the Israeli withdrawal from 21 settlements in Gaza and from four of 120 in the West Bank would set off a civil war in Israel between settlers and the Israeli government. There were charges of betrayal from the settlers and their supporters, but the evacuation went off on schedule with only minor disruptions. The completion of the plan is a victory for the rule of law in Israel and a vital step forward in the fragile peace process.
snip

Japan has provided some $767 million in aid to the Palestinians since 1993, making Japan the third-largest donor after the U.S. and European Union. During a May visit to Tokyo by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Japan pledged an additional $100 million. Tokyo should also ensure that its money is well spent.

The most important factor in Gaza's future is the security situation. There will be no hope for Gazans if their government cannot impose law and order on the territory. Absent peace, no one will risk investing in Gaza; without investment there will be no economy.

The Palestinian Authority has two challenges. Providing rudimentary law and order -- which will be anything but easy given Gaza's history and the armed militias that operate with impunity throughout the territory -- is only the first. Even more important is reining in the militants who want to use Gaza as a launching pad for attacks against Israel. This group has been emboldened by the Israeli withdrawal, seeing the move as vindication of its strategy of armed resistance.
snip


The Japan Times: Sept. 2, 2005
(C) All rights reserved
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/geted.pl5?ed20050902a1.htm