Terror shouldn't divert us from path
Terrorists seek to derail pullout through mass murder
We in the United Kingdom and Europe admire Prime Minister Sharon for his courage and determination in forging ahead with disengagement.
The Rt Hon, Jack Straw, British Foreign SecretaryTony Blair was one of the first European leaders to offer public support for the policy. Supporting Prime Minster Sharon in realising his plan, and backing President Mahmoud Abbas in seizing this opportunity is a key priority for the United Kingdom’s Presidency of the European Union.
Disengagement offers hope. It offers a chance to return to the Roadmap, and advance towards the goal we share, of two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security. We understand the difficulty and pain that disengagement means for Israel and Israelis.
But, as Prime Minister Sharon said, it is right for Israel to withdraw from areas where its future does not lie. Removing settlements from areas surrounded by Palestinians will reduce the confrontation and violence which have plagued so many on both sides. It will give the Palestinian Authority an opportunity to prove its ability to act as an effective governing body and to ensure security in areas under its control.
Disengagement, by itself, does not hold all the answers. Gaza must become economically viable, with access to the outside world. The Quartet’s Special Envoy, Jim Wolfensohn has set out an ambitious rapid action programme to achieve this. It requires hard work. But Israel and the Palestinian Authority are engaging seriously and making progress.
Britain is also involved in US Security Co-ordinator General Ward’s efforts to reform and restructure the Palestinian security forces. This is an essential task if the Palestinian Authority is to deliver on its commitment in the Roadmap to tackle terrorism.
Prime Minister Sharon has been criticised at home for giving in to terrorism. He has not. He has made clear that he can only work with those who have renounced violence. Disengagement will boost Mahmoud Abbas and moderate Palestinians committed to the two state solution and a Palestinian state committed to fighting terrorism. Disengagement is the best thing Israel can do to weaken the terrorist organisations.
That is why the terrorists seek to derail disengagement through mass murder. They offer nothing but destruction. Confronted by signs of progress and reconciliation, they seek an endless cycle of violence and revenge. They are trying to undermine an opportunity for a better future for the Palestinian people. All civilised people reject terrorism because it is an attack on the most basic of human freedoms, the freedom to be alive. Tony Blair and I believe that terrorism cannot be justified, anywhere, under any circumstances.
We who support disengagement and look for reconciliation stand together on one side. The terrorists on the other. Our response to their violence must be an ever stronger determination to stick to our principles and values, whether in Israel, Iraq, in Egypt or in London. The United Kingdom and the European Union will support Israel as it pursues disengagement and the opportunities disengagement offers.
