New York Times Op-Ed: Former President Jimmy Carter makes the case that the road to peace is withdrawal of Israelis from Palestinian lands in exchange for acceptance of Israel and Israel’s right to live in peace:
“[Ariel Sharon’s] rejection of all peace agreements that included Israeli withdrawal from Arab lands, his invasion of Lebanon, his provocative visit to the Temple Mount, the destruction of villages and homes, the arrests of thousands of Palestinians and his open defiance of President George W. Bush’s demand that he comply with international law have all been orchestrated to accomplish his ultimate goals: to establish Israeli settlements as widely as possible throughout occupied territories and to deny Palestinians a cohesive political existence.
“There is adequate blame on the other side… [Yasir Arafat’s] all-too-rare denunciations of violence have been spasmodic, often expressed only in English and likely insincere. He may well see the suicide attacks as one of the few ways to retaliate against his tormentors, to dramatize the suffering of his people, or as a means for him, vicariously, to be a martyr.
“With the ready and potentially unanimous backing of the international community, the United States government can bring about such a solution to the existing imbroglio… The existing situation is tragic and likely to get worse. Normal diplomatic efforts have failed. It is time for the United States, as the sole recognized intermediary, to consider more forceful action for peace. The rest of the world will welcome this leadership.”