Fresh land grabbing -- 3500 new homes near Jerusalem!

Sharon's fresh proposal to build 3500 new Israeli homes at a place between Maaleh Adumin and Jerusalem is indeed intended to create a barrier between the proposed Palestinian State in the West Bank and Jerusalem. This means that the Palestinians cannot have a contiguous state with Jerusalem as its capital. Moreover, this entire area is a prime land for the Palestinians as there is a possibility for the Palestinians to build appropriate administrative buildings in the area. So Sharon's policy is to block such possibility even if it means giving up Gaza which is already a dangerous place for the Israelis. Sharon knows well that Israelis cannot continue to stay in Gaza and hence the need for disengagement. But he has worked out the policy to have the full compensation -- indeed a better one -- by building more settlements in the prime land near Jerusalem.

Sharon is a dirtily clever person. He knows that he has to face election in the near future and this is the only way he could show to the Israeli ultra rightists -- indeed Jehadi Jews -- that he has got more important and safer land for Israelis, much better than far away insecure Gaza, and more importantly it could easily block Palestinians' claim on Jerusalem. This might take away the heat from the Israeli Jehadis who are likely to support and fight for the Israelis of Gaza.

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Just on March 28, Israeli Knesset (parliament) passed a resolution rejecting the opposition's demand for referendum on Gaza disengagement. This means that Sharon has the green signal to dismantle 21 Israeli settlements in Gaza. Though there were some protests and more protests are likely, many Israelis in Gaza settlements agreed to move away to another location in the West Bank already under Israeli occupation.

The proposed new settlements near Maaleh Adumin , though shown as extension of existing settlements, are totally against the international law and also against the specific UN resolutions. The UN has specifically prohibited any settlements in the occupied area. In short, Israelis should simply leave the occupied territories as per resolutions 232 and 338. But Israel has been merrily violating the UN resolutions and not only building settlements but also putting up walls and barriers in the name of stopping Palestinian attackers. But does Israel bother about the UN as long as the US is on its side? Israel has been the worst violator of UN resolutions but can any one say or do anything about it? No. The history shows that the "Children of Israel" have been the repeated violators of their Covenants even with God and were, therefore, punished by God that included their moving in wilderness for forty years before reaching the "promised land".

The "promised land" was not exclusively meant for them; other people were also living there. The "Children of Israel" were landless and therefore God provided them with the "land" for building homes along with others. But Israeli Jehadis think that they have exclusive right on the "promised land" and hence occupation is no crime. History also says that it's a very arrogant nation and has therefore suffered repeatedly. They have not learned the lesson yet. But unfortunately, some nations' governments are blindly, unnecessarily and unwisely supporting Israel, which may, one day, lead to their sufferings too. History does not spare any one.

However, it is a good thing that Bush Administration has started showing some signs of changes in its policies towards Israeli-Palestinian issue. May be, Iraq disaster has something to do with this. Recently, it has shown its displeasure over the proposed new Israeli homes near Maaleh Adumin in the West Bank. Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State said, ' Israel's plan to build more settlements in West bank stands "at odds with American policy," and should come to a "full stop" as this goes against the provisions of the Road Map and could stand in the way of any progress in the peace talks with the Palestinians. She also told the reporters that the US expected Israel "to be careful about anything" 'including settlements' new laws or the route of a barrier being built to separate Israelis from Palestinians.' One can only hope that these words would be communicated in strong and meaningful way so that this does not become only a rhetoric and diplomatic exercise not to be taken seriously.

Russia has also expressed its concern over the proposed new settlements and said, " Israel's announced plans to build more than 3500 new homes between Maaleh Adumin( the most populous settlement in the West Bank) and Jerusalem cannot but give us concern.

Russia also said that this 'contradicts the terms of the M-E peace road map' It may be noted that Russia is one of the members of the Quartet that came up with the "Road Map" which is now the latest peace proposal accepted fully by the Palestinians and also by Israel though with some 14 reservations.

Shimon Peres, Labour Leader, who is now the Deputy. Prime Minister in the latest coalition government in Israel, was interviewed some days ago on the issue of new settlements near Maaleh Adumin and he said he had no official knowledge of the proposal/plan. He and his party would consider the matter seriously when the issue would be brought up officially and obviously this would have to be seen in the light of international law and Israel's commitments. He appeared to have indicated that his party might reconsider whether to stay in the coalition government if the plan is pushed through. Apparently the plan was completed at the official level with the tacit support of the hawks in Sharon government. The only way to block this is for the Labour to act decisively. Sharon knows that if Labour breaks away, his coalition govt will fall and the general election would ensue where Sharon has very little chance to return with his party in majority. This would mean his Gaza disengagement plan would face a setback and more damaging would be his plan of holding on to the greater part of the West Bank.

As it seems, it would be good for Labour to go for the general election instead of clinging on to Sharon's coalition. Labour is likely to form a government with the support of some small parties and pursue its policy of peace with the Palestinians. Majority of Israeli public appears to be fed up with the present dangerous situation and may go for the Road Map with the purpose of achieving peace with Palestinians. Only Israeli Jehadis support Sharon and insist on grabbing more Palestinian land, but majority of Israelis apparently want peace instead of land. With Mahmud Abbas (Abu Mazzen) as the President of Palestinian Authority, Labour could work out a reasonable deal that could save both Israelis and Palestinians from the present ruinous path.

It is a very fragile ceasefire that exists now. The "new homes" will only erupt fresh violence and burn not only the homes but also the home-owners. Bush Administration should remain strict on the "new homes" proposal and continue to pursue the Road Map to achieve some form of peace. Any eruption of further violence on the sensitive and indeed dangerous issue of "new homes" may not only make Mahmud Abbas powerless and helpless, but may even dislodge him at a particular point in time.

Muslehuddin Ahmad is a former Secretary and Ambassador.