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February 8, 2005

Israel and Palestine Scheduled to Sign Formal Cease-Fire

What's this, a burying of the hatchet somewhere besides in eachother? Are Israel and the Palestinians actually scheduled to sign a real cease fire? And we are also learning that Mubarak is expected to announcce the return of their ambassador to Tel Aviv, with Jordan to follow suit. This may all be just a little too much for the Middle East to handle at one time, after all, if the Palestinians are controlling their terrorist groups (implied under the use of the term cease fire), and the U.S. is dumping $350 million to help the Palestinian economy and security forces (assuming that Mahmoud Abbas' wife is more frugal than Arafat's wife Suha), and at the same time Jordan and Egypt are not only speaking to the Israelis but actually have ambassadors in Tel Aviv, the road map to peace just possibly could end up being other than the cul-de-sac that it's been up until now.

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas are to issue separate statements in Sharm e-Sheikh Tuesday designed to put an end to over four years of violence, even though the term "Israeli-Palestinian cease-fire" will not be used.

Representatives from both sides were meeting near midnight Monday putting final touches on the ceremony that will be hosted by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, and will also be attended by Jordanian King Abdullah II.

Mubarak, according to Israeli diplomatic sources, was widely expected to announce the return of Egypt's ambassador to Tel Aviv. Jordan may follow suit, though there are some bilateral issues outstanding that may hold up a similar Jordanian announcement. Both countries withdrew their ambassadors in November 2002 to protest Israel's handling of the Palestinian violence.

Now, as Chad at inTheBullPen comments, these are indeed signs of hope. Hamas and Islamic Jiahd agreed on January 23 to a cease fire deal with Abbas, as have including the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades - so at least these three have shown a willingness to end armed conflict with Israel. However, Al Aqsa's announcement came with conditions to the Israeli government, whom they say must also observe the truce and begin releasing Palestinian prisoners which Israel has reportedly agreed to. So, yes there are signs of hope, as is usually the case even in the middle of despair, and for Israel and the Palestinian people there has certainly been plenty of that. Will the cease-fire hold and traffic be re-routed out of the cul-de-sac of terrorism and response? So far, the track record hasn't been exactly promising.

Posted by Hyscience at February 8, 2005 8:29 AM

• Israel and Palestine Scheduled to Sign Formal Cease-Fire - Feb 08, 2005