A Chance to Live Without Fear

February 9, 2005

Tuesday was a day to celebrate in the Middle East. Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon shook hands with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, and both men declared a cease-fire after more than four years of carnage that killed thousands.

The peace process is fragile, and both sides are about where they were a dozen years ago — at the start of a long effort that could crash at any time. But the absence of conflict gives Israelis and Palestinians a chance to live without fear; it offers their leaders room to negotiate a lasting truce.

The Bush administration, too long absent from a meaningful role, is now handling matters adeptly. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice met separately with Abbas and Sharon before the summit, but she stayed away from the meeting of the two men. Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak was the host, and Jordan's King Abdullah II attended.

Rice's absence demonstrated that it's up to Israel and the Palestinians to agree on peace; her announcement of a $40-million grant to the Palestinians, and President Bush's promise last week of $350 million, showed that Washington is willing to play its indispensable part as helper. Rice also announced the appointment of a three-star U.S. Army general to help Israel and the Palestinians coordinate security operations. That's a role the CIA undertook until several years ago and one that's needed to help security forces on both sides communicate with each other.

Adding to optimism over the cease-fire was a welcome announcement by Jordan and Egypt that they will return their ambassadors to Israel after an absence of four years. Both countries can influence the Palestinians and assist Abbas' security forces, which will need to stop groups like Hamas and Islamic Jihad from attacking Israelis. Hours after the summit, Palestinians shot at an Israeli settlement in the West Bank and threw firebombs at investigating Israeli soldiers; if they continue, such assaults will erode Israeli confidence in dealing with the Palestinian Authority.

During the intifada, terrorist attacks led Israeli troops to reenter many cities in occupied Palestinian territory from which they had withdrawn during the period of quiet from 1993 to 2000. Barriers and checkpoints stopped Palestinians from getting to work in Israel and often from crossing from one West Bank town to another. That has damaged the Palestinian economy greatly; help from Washington and Europe will alleviate some of the poverty and show Palestinians that Abbas can put food on their tables.

Easing the checkpoints would let Palestinians again earn a living and remove grievances that play into terrorists' hands. The goal of Israel, the Palestinians and their allies is an independent Palestinian nation next to the Jewish state, with both living in peace. Sharon and Abbas have started on that road. With help from their friends, they may achieve the goal.