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Source: http://portal.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2003/06/30/dl3001.xml
Hamas's Tactical Morality
(Telegraph-UK) - Editorial Israel insists that the Palestinian Authority take responsibility for policing its own extremists. Terrorist promises are not enough. In Gaza, Mr. Abbas now has his chance to prove that he can deliver more than words. There is a profound moral asymmetry here. The retreat from Gaza is a "fact on the ground," proof positive that the Israelis meant what they said when they promised that the reoccupation would be temporary. Because this cease-fire is based solely on tactical considerations, there is no knowing how long it will last. Even if Israel were to comply with all the numerous Palestinian demands made by Mr. Abbas, it would still have no guarantee of security, even in the short term. Much depends on the attitude of neighboring regimes that sponsor the Palestinian terrorists, especially Iran and Syria. The Bush administration is now stepping up the pressure on these states to desist, but there is little chance that they will do so. At most, the region can expect a lull. Israel's withdrawal from Gaza is a bold gesture for the sake of peace. It deserves a bolder Arab response than we have seen so far.