In a recent editorial ("Sharon's Peacemaking", the Sun, 8/10/03) the
idea is actually put forward that Israeli Prime Minister is acting as a peacemaker. The
editorial writer wonders whether Sharon has "undergone a political transformation" because
he has "transformed the political prospects for peace". The reasons given are a
release of 334 Palestinian prisoners last week, a withdrawal of some IDF troops at
Bethlehem and the Gaza strip, an increase in work permits allowed to Palestinians
and a removal of some checkpoints.
Unfortunately, Ariel Sharon is every bit the same man that an Israeli Commission of Inquiry,
as well as numerous human rights activists around the world, state was "responsible" for
the 1983 massacre at Sabra and Shatila. For one thing, the gigantic "Wall of Separation" he
is building encroaches on Palestinian land, takes large amounts of additional water from
them and is believed to be intended to hold 1.5 million people in humanity's greatest
prison.
In addition, Sharon continues to keep the Palestinians under a brutal occupation that
has been continuing with cessation for 36 years. He doesn't have the right to install
checkpoints, grant work permits, demolish homes, build new settlements and move in
troops in Occupied Territories. For these reasons it is extremely disingenuous for
the Sun to accept apparent reductions of Ariel Sharon's control over his unwillingly
occupied subjects as an indication that he is conducting "peacemaking" in the Middle East.
Scott Loughrey
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