Subscribe to Print Edition | Sun., May 25, 2008 Iyyar 20, 5768 | | Israel Time: 01:44 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Peres Conference Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Avoid all delays By Haaretz Editorial Tags: tahadiyeh, Syria, Gaza The resumption of talks with Syria, and the prime minister's promise that the Palestinian and Syrian tracks will move forward simultaneously, are both good news. Both tracks are aimed at obtaining strategic goals vital to Israel's security. And even if neither reaches completion during Ehud Olmert's term of office, they can yield a "deposit" for the future. Yet, despite the excitement, both these diplomatic promises ought to be treated for the time being like two birds in the bush, which are incapable of calming another burning front, to the country's south. The tahadiyeh, or temporary cease-fire, on whose principles Israel and Hamas have agreed via Egyptian mediation, is impatiently awaiting implementation. If any further proof were needed of just how urgent this is, yesterday's Israel Defense Forces operation in the Gaza Strip and the attempted suicide bombing at the Erez crossing both underscored the threat of a conflagration in Gaza. There is currently a confluence of interests among Israel, Egypt and Hamas. All of them need the tahadiyeh urgently: Israel, to give residents of the South the quiet that all its military operations, large and small alike, have failed to provide; Hamas, to end the economic blockade that makes life so difficult for Gazans; and Egypt, to prevent a violent and uncontrolled breach of the fence that separates it from Gaza. Advertisement Israel also has another very important issue to settle with Hamas: the release of kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit. Israel wants to link Shalit's release with the opening of the Rafah crossing and implementation of the tahadiyeh, but Hamas insists that these carry separate price tags. For Shalit, it wants the release of a large number of prisoners held by Israel, while for the tahadiyeh, it is demanding the opening of Rafah. These are the conditions that are currently delaying a final agreement on implementing the tahadiyeh. Unfortunately - and dangerously - each side is presenting the tahadiyeh as if it were a gift it is giving the other. Israel is apparently making another effort to find a magic formula that would square the circle - one that would let the tahadiyeh begin, lay the groundwork for reopening Rafah and include a deal to swap Shalit for Palestinian prisoners, but would look as if Jerusalem has made no concessions. But the hunt for this redeeming formula, if it even exists, cannot go on forever. Just as Israel is obliged to obtain Shalit's release, it must also bring quiet to residents of the South. One side of the equation cannot be held hostage to the other. Conditioning the tahadiyeh on a deal for Shalit looks more and more like a matter of prestige - especially since the price is known. The public can no longer believe that delaying the tahadiyeh serves its security interests, nor is it convinced that this delay will advance Shalit's release. Hamas has thus far evinced no signs of humanity with regard to either Shalit or the Palestinian civilians over whom it rules, and it is very doubtful that its behavior will change. Israel should thus release the prisoners needed to conclude a deal for Shalit and let the tahadiyeh take effect. Additional Qassam or Grad rockets hitting Sderot or its environs, and additional dead or wounded, are henceforth an unnecessary price for a deal that must be done. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Jet error Israeli warplanes come close to shooting down Tony Blair's plane. Rehab (live) Report: Singer Amy Winehouse is to undergo drug rehab in Israel.   1.   Haaretz - Accelerate the Appeasement 21:57  |  Tod Zuckerman 23/05/08   2.   Not appeasement, anathema 07:32  |  BBSNews 24/05/08

Read & React Bradley Burston: The Palestinians' time is running out Responses: 393 West backs Lebanese gov't capitulation to Hezbollah Responses: 192 Obama promises 'unshakable commitment' to Israel if elected Responses: 210 Hamas: Olmert too weak to negotiate peace agreement with Syria Responses: 208 McCain rejects pastor's support after 'God sent Hitler' jibe Responses: 110 More Headlines 01:04 Syria sends minister to Iran after shock revelation Israel talks 18:30 Ex-IDF chief: Golan Heights not indispensable 23:57 IDF strikes wound 4 Gaza militants in two incidents 01:06 Israel denies entry to high-profile critic Norman Finkelstein 15:51 UN: No. of roadblocks in W. Bank up 7 percent from last Sept. 20:53 Chelsea axes Grant after losing Champions League final to Red Devils 18:43 MK Sneh to announce split from Labor to form new party 01:16 Israeli warplanes almost shoot down Tony Blair's plane 03:38 Report: Singer Amy Winehouse to undergo drug rehab in Israel 14:56 Tourist in critical condition after jumping from Tiberias hospital 13:22 Teenager stabbed to death at high school in Galilee village 11:18 Egypt police shoot Sudanese migrant at Israel border Previous Editions Select Day 23 may 22 may 21 may 20 may 19 may 18 may 16 may 15 may 14 may 13 may 12 may 11 may

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