A headline in the New York Times today reads, “Israel Lauds New Palestinian Leader for Moves to Stop Attacks” — and a picture of a spokesman for the Al Aksa Martyrs Brigades speaking in Gaza about ‘halting attacks on Israelis…’ —

On further reading, nothing much has changed. I am quite amazed that Abbas has been able to be so effective so far in somehow holding on with his teeth in this mess… Somehow he is able to give the world hope that Palestine is rescinding what the world believes to be its ‘terrorist’ ways, and at the same time, is able to give his own people hope.

There was a time when Arafat gave his people the same hope — the media dwells on the fact that Arafat was a fighter and a terrorist — but the truth is, he won a Nobel Peace Prize, and probably would have succeeded in the peace process with Israel more than ten years ago, had Rabin not been killed by a radical in his own country.

I have hope. I believe that Abbas can do this, because right now the world is watching, and the world is supporting Palestine, even at the same time as they are still calling them ‘terrorists’. The time is now, though. The Gaza withdrawal has to happen very soon, or none of this will work. If Sharon loses his battle to withdraw from Gaza and create his legacy, the entire peace process will be in shambles again.

And that is another frustrating thing. Sharon is the warmonger who started this whole mess with his claims on Jerusalem, and his march on the holy city with his political entourage. And now he has these high ideals for peace.

I do believe that he means it, however. I really think that he is sick of fighting, and I think that he truly believes that he will be able to achieve a lasting peace with Palestine. Albeit with a wall three miles high, but nevertheless a peace. And like before 2000, there will be very little ‘terrorist’ violence, and at the same time, little ‘need’ for the Israeli army to commit acts of violence against the Palestinians.

Insh’allah. God willing.