(Washington Times) - Austin Bay The broad historical and political context suggests Sharon and his government sense a rare strategic opportunity that can help snap the six-decade cycle of Israeli-Palestinian violence. Attacking Yassin indicates the Israelis have decided it's time to fight the Palestinian civil war against Hamas, the one Arafat declined. Hamas also faces a cash crunch. Palestinian terrorists no longer have Saddam Hussein as a backer. The Israelis bet the next generation of Palestinians, with terrorist cash gone and rejectionist guns removed, will look to democratic Iraq as a model - and then help create a resilient, just and fruitful Israeli-Palestinian peace.
2004-03-26 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive