Leaving Gaza, Finding Peace

Boston Jewish Advocate
August 11, 2005
By Diane Balser and Beth Wasserman

The planned Israeli pullout from Gaza will finally take place just after Tisha b’Av, a day associated with a sense of loss for the Jewish people. The original date for removing some 9,000 settlers fell during the traditional 21-day mourning period leading up to Tisha b’Av, a time commemorating the destruction of the First and Second Temples.

Traditionally, the three weeks before Tisha b’Av are regarded as a period when mourning rituals are observed—for example, the observant customarily do not move into new homes. The original timing of disengagement, therefore, was seen as an affront to Israel’s observant Jews, and served as another source of tension relating to the Gaza withdrawal. By delaying disengagement until after Tisha b’Av, Sharon defused what could have been a volatile confrontation between the religious right and the government.

Unfortunately, timing is not the only factor that could jeopardize the withdrawal. The Israelis and Palestinians have so far been unable to resolve several issues related to the disengagement process. In particular, politically sensitive issues of travel access, commerce, infrastructure construction and security are still being debated. The two sides are unlikely to reach an agreement on these and other practical matters without the timely assistance of the U.S.

We should not underestimate what is currently at stake. Turning over the Gaza Strip to the Palestinian Authority is an essential first step toward achieving a negotiated two-state solution. If handled well, withdrawal could be an opportunity to foster the mutual trust and respect that are needed for peaceful coexistence. Israelis will see that the pain of ceding territory can be mitigated by much greater security; Palestinians will get an unprecedented measure of self-determination, bolstering the current government in its attempts to confront extremism.

It is crucial, therefore, that the withdrawal from Gaza be successful. In that spirit, Brit Tzedek v'Shalom, the Jewish Alliance for Justice and Peace, has launched a new campaign, calling on President Bush to immediately appoint a high-level envoy to the region. While it is true that the Administration has already appointed experienced officials to deal with economic and security issues, no one has been authorized to deal with the complex political dynamics of the disengagement. A new envoy, directly reporting to the President and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, should be put in place to work closely with the two sides on a daily basis, helping them to reach and follow through with substantial terms of agreement.

If the Gaza pullout succeeds, it will serve as an excellent starting point for further negotiations and as a vital rejoinder to those who would destabilize a peace-minded Palestinian government. As firm supporters of Israel, we at Brit Tzedek believe a successful disengagement is critical to the future of Israelis and Palestinians alike.

If, however, the pullout is plagued by difficulties, Abbas’s political leadership will be challenged by extremist rivals. Israelis will become demoralized, unwilling to risk withdrawal from other areas. Both sides will come away saying, “I knew they couldn’t be trusted.”

Brit Tzedek calls on President Bush to save the Gaza withdrawal: Send a powerful emissary, backed with your full support. This is an urgent matter that demands immediate attention. Bold steps are needed if we are to take full advantage of the tremendous possibilities that the disengagement offers.

Diane Balser is the CEO of Brit Tzedek v’Shalom, the Jewish Alliance for Justice and Peace, and Beth Wasserman is the Chair of the Boston Chapter of Brit Tzedek.