The Oslo “peace process” is dead but the lessons of its unraveling need to
be analyzed carefully and absorbed. The article explores the various
steps, tactics and incitement adopted by the Palestinians during the
months between October 2000 and February 2001 and the disastrously flawed
response of Mr. Barak’s government. The author focuses on the
capitulationist policy over Jerusalem, (especially the Temple Mount),
refugees and the readiness to give up territory without any serious
Palestinian compromise, renunciation of violence or abandonment of the
central aim – to destroy Israel. The article provides examples both of the
relentless hatred deliberately stoked up by the Palestinian Authority and
its cynical manipulation of the Western media and public opinion, which
has been relatively successful for the moment. Now that the mirage of a
counterfeit peace has dissipated, Israel needs to take stock of some hard
truths and gird its loins for the long haul until the Palestinians
understand that it cannot successfully be pressured or squeezed.
