by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright April 17, 2004
All Rights Reserved.

ess than one month after the assassination of Hamas' spiritual leader Sheik Ahmed Yassin, its newly minted Gaza leader Dr. Abdel Aziz Rantisi was hit by an Israeli missile with his 27-year-old son and body guard, after briefly leaving his home. Rantisi was atop Israel's hit list, after the militant physician promised revenge for Yassin's March 22 death. While the wheelchair-bound Yassin represented a symbolic threat, Rantisi, like Al Qaeda's terrorist mastermind Ayman al-Zawari, was a key operational planner, directly responsible for suicide bombings inside Israel. Shaking hands at the White House with President George W. Bush a day earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon won support for a unilateral pullout of Gaza, the first phase in his “disengagement” plan. Bush's endorsement antagonized the Palestinian Authority, unequivocally rejecting Arafat's leadership.

      Rantisi's death signals Sharon's own war on terror, promising to eliminate Hamas' hierarchy. What Palestinians don't get is they can't win a guerrilla war against Israel. When Arafat walked away from Camp David in Aug. 2000 and began his latest “intifada,” it signaled the collapse of his leadership. Unlike the Clinton administration, the Bush White House won't do business with terrorist groups, including the Palestinian Authority. In the past, Arafat put a fig leaf between his Palestine Liberation Organization Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade to legitimize his bargaining position. But since 9/11, the Bush Doctrine doesn't tolerate any terror groups, no matter what the excuse. Sharon's targeted hit on Hamas' leadership directly parallels the U.S. approach to Al Qaeda, signaling total intolerance to terror groups. Serving as an honest broker now requires the U.S. to reject groups that practice terror.

      Sharon gets the consequences of terror, watching unending suicide bombings over the last four years. Sharon, like Bush, believes targeted assassinations bring “justice” to cold-blooded killers wreaking havoc on innocent civilians. Whether Pizza Parlors in Tel Aviv or the World Trade Center in New York, Bush and Sharon are in sync going after terrorists. “There's been no change in our policy. We think Israel should bear in mind the consequences of what it's doing and we also think the Palestinians should get a handle on terrorism,” said an unnamed White House official, adding, “Israel has right to defend itself.” While there's no change in the Bush policy, there's a big change in U.S. policy toward Palestinians, the “Road Map” and “Two-State Solution.” Bush sees Arafat and the Palestinian Authority as an outlaw regime, aiding, abetting and supporting terrorists.

      Presumptive Democratic nominee Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.) walks a risky tightrope, pretending to be an “honest broker” while, at the same time, dealing with Arafat. Bush broke new ground recognizing that there can be no negotiations with entities engaging in terror. Accepting Sharon's “disengagement” plan reinforces the White House rejection of Arafat's authority. “We condemn in the strongest possible terms this Israeli crime of assassinating Dr. Rantisi. This is state terror, and the Israel government is fully responsible for the consequences of this action,” said Palestinian Cabinet minister Saeb Erekat, ranting about the White House bias toward Israel. Erekat and the Palestinian street don't get that the U.S. will no longer negotiate with terrorists—no matter what the cause. All terrorist leaders are fair game until they renounce violence and negotiate a truce.

      When Rantisi vowed revenge after Yassin's death, he painted a bull's eye on his back. With Sharon poised to withdraw from Gaza, Israel needed to neutralize growing militancy inside Gaza, largely stemming from Hamas. Bailing out of Gaza represents a victory for Palestinians, much as Israel's exit from Lebanon was heralded as a huge victory. Sharon believes that the costs of securing Gaza outweigh expected benefits. Yet Gaza continues to be a magnet for terrorists. Leaving Gaza and providing less security invites a power vacuum, giving outlaws the edge. “We have to continue this war, every time and every place. And this story with Rantisi shows how the army can get everywhere. We have to continue, we have no other choice,” Cabinet Minister Gideon Ezra told Israeli radio, reminding Palestinians that Israel remains on a war footing until things change.

      Getting Rantisi should signal to Palestinians that it's time to try a different path to statehood. Violence and terror won't win Palestinians more concessions or improve chances of an independent state. After Sept. 11, Bush broke new ground, rejecting terror and Arafat's failed leadership. It's too late for Arafat and his sycophants at the Palestinian Authority to switch gears and return to the bargaining table. Whatever nostalgia Palestinians have for Arafat, they must insist on his retirement and select new leadership before its feasible to hammer out a comprehensive peace with the U.S. and Israel. Brokering an honest peace requires all parties to renounce violence and terror. “This blood will not be wasted,” said Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, promising to go down the same dead end. With militants like Rantisi out of the way, it's time for Palestinians to try something new.

About the Author

John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He's editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.

©1999-2002 Discobolos Consulting Services, Inc.
(310) 204-8300
All Rights Reserved.