The Wire

Palestinians remain pessimistic that any newly elected government of Israel will increase prospects for peace. The Palestinians held their own election in January, and they voted in the Hamas party, which up until 12 months ago was one of the terrorist groups responsible for dispatching suicide bombers into Israel to kill civilians. However, for more than a year they have maintained a ceasefire. Now observers are concerned that if Kadima, the party originally dreamed up by Ariel Sharon, is voted in, prospects for peace and a viable state will be set back, because of its policy of unilateral disengagement. Such a policy would see Israel withdraw from only parts of the West bank, without a real peace settlement with the Palestinians. Ali Abunimah is the co-founder of the Electronic Intifada, an online news site that tells the story from the Palestinian perspective. He gave his response to Kadima’s policy of unilateral disengagement.