Muslehuddin Ahmad

This was the first meeting of the Israeli and Palestinian sides at the highest level since Intefada began in September, 2000. During this period of over four years, 3350 Palestinians and 970 Israelis got killed -- a sad episode indeed in the history of Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The Intefada began because of Sharon's visit to the Masjid-Al Aqsa compound and his objectionable remark about Israel's sovereignty over the Noble Sanctuary.

No real initiative could be taken to end the violence as Sharon and Bush decided not to talk to the legendary Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. This is the first initiative after the death of Arafat and it succeeded as both the US and Israel agreed to meet Mahmud Abbas who was elected by the Palestinians as the successor of Arafat. The initiative for the summit was taken by Egyptian President Hosne Mobarak with support of King Abdullah II of Jordan -- both happen to be the good friends of the United States. Both Egypt and Jordan have also diplomatic relations with Israel.

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In the meantime, Bush got his second term and having faced terrible disaster in Iraq, Bush decided to concentrate on Israeli Palestinian issue with a view to reducing somewhat the burden of his Muslim bashing. The situation was ripe as Arafat left the scene and a soft-spoken mild mannered Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas -- who appears to be liked by both Bush and Sharon - got elected by a huge majority. Though Hamas boycotted the election, it did not resist the holding of the election. This was a good sign which was reflected in the later discussions that Abbas had with Hamas and other radical Palestinian groups before going to the summit in Sharm-el-Sheikh. Abbas did not have any written commitment from them but it was apparent that they allowed him to talk to Prime Minister Sharon and see whether such a talk could bring any acceptable result.

Ariel Sharon also had domestic problems with regard to his action plan for unilateral disengagement from Gaza. He faced large demonstrations before he came to the summit. But he said he remained committed to his disengagement plan as this had the support of the US and EU.

In the backdrop of such a scenario the summit took place. It had full support of King Abdullah II of Jordan and he was present to lend weight to the outcome. President Hosne Mobarak made his opening comments in the summit. He said this was a good step forward and urged both sides to work together so that unnecessary bloodshed could be stopped. He insisted that only two state solution on agreed basis could ensure secure life to both Palestinians and Israelis.

Mahmud Abbas in his address spoke of his determination to achieve peace for which he said both sides must work together and avoid any unilateral actions that can cause problems for the other side. There he said, "We have agreed with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to cease all acts of violence against Israelis and Palestinians wherever they are." This meant the Palestinians should not attack even the settlements. This is a major commitment he made though he had no written undertaking from Hamas and other groups. He saw it as a new opportunity for achieving peace though he conceded that this summit could not solve all problems that exist between Palestinians and the Israelis. He talked about the implementation of the Road Map, withdrawal of settlements, final status of Jerusalem, release of Palestinian prisoners, withdrawal of Israeli security forces from occupied towns and villages etc. He also brought up the issue of Syrian demand for Israeli withdrawal from Golan. He was confident that Palestinian state could live side by side with Israel in peace and security. He saw the beginning of a "new era" and hoped if all these were implemented fully, peace could be reached in the region.

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon talked of "new relationship" and hoped that this would initiate "real change in the direction to the path of democracy and turn our back on the blood path". He also said, " For the first time in a long time there is hope in our region for better future for us and our grand children." He added, "violence must not murder hope and we must not allow this opportunity to slip by". He insisted that all terrorist infrastructure and network must be dismantled. This was a tall order and it was beyond Abbas to enforce it on Hamas and other radical groups. Hamas has already said it was not bound by the summit decisions on ceasefire. It, however, added that everything would depend on how ' Israeli side takes measures on the ground to prove its seriousness.' Ariel Sharon also said Israel would release some 500 prisoners out of about 8000 Palestinians and allow Palestinian families to visit their members in Israeli jail. Sharon did not say a word about final status of Jerusalem nor anything about the borders and security wall.

On return home both sides started working on the summit understandings. Erez border in Gaza was eased allowing Palestinians to go to Israel for jobs. The 500 prisoners would also to be released soon. There was talk about further release of Palestinian prisoners. On all these there appeared to be some sense of satisfaction among ordinary Palestinians, but Hamas stood by its own decision that it was not bound by summit understandings.

There was also an understanding that one Security Coordinator from the USA General Ward would start working with the Palestinian Authority (PA) for training and monitoring the security situation. But before the work could start, there was a breach of security as one Palestinian youth was killed by a settler and in reply Hamas sent a couple of rockets into the nearby settlements in Gaza. This led to the postponement of one security meeting between Israel and Palestinians. Abbas took a very strong step and dismissed three of his senior security officials. Later he visited Gaza and had a meeting with the leaders of Hamas and other radical groups. Luckily, Hamas and others agreed to consult Abbas and Palestinian Authority before resorting to rocket attacks for any valid reason they consider. This brought back the confidence in the minds of the Israeli side and the security meeting is now being resumed. Israel also already got the cabinet approval to release 500 Palestinian prisoners. The permits are also being issued to Palestinians who want to go to Israel for work.

All these show that both sides are determined to pursue peace. How much control Mahmud Abbas has over Hamas and others is a different matter. Ariel Sharon also has serious problems at home because of Gaza disengagement plan. His Foreign Minister is openly asking for referendum before any withdrawal from Gaza, which Sharon rejected. There appears to be one good solution to Gaza problem: If some Jewish families voluntarily stay back in Gaza, they will have to accept Palestinian citizenship while they can have Israeli citizenship too. This could be the general formula for some other Jewish families who also might decide to stay back in the West Bank part of the Palestinian State. The Palestinians must accept them as good neighbours as many Palestinians are in Israel as good Israeli citizens. Such an approach should lead to a contiguous Palestinian State with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Muslehuddin Ahmad is a former Secretary and Ambassador.