Possibility for a Cease-fire
Talking Points - June 27, 2003

In recent days, Palestinian Authority officials and heads of extremist militant organizations have been discussing a temporary cessation of attacks ("hudna" in Arabic) against Israel.

A cease-fire might be a step in the right direction. Israel welcomes the cessation of hostilities; However, A three month cessation of violence is not a substitute for the complete eradication of terrorism. The Palestinian Authority is solely responsible for stopping the terrorism.

An effective cease-fire must include the following actions:

1. Dismantling terrorist groups.
2. Preventing terrorist attacks.
3. Confiscating and destroying illegal weapons.
4. Bringing terrorists to justice.
5. Ending incitement against Israel in the media, the mosques and the schools.

As much as Israel welcomes a Palestinian agreement for a cease-fire, one should remember President George Bush's comment, "It's one thing to make a verbal agreement. But in order for there to be peace in the Middle East, we must see organizations such as Hamas dismantled, and then we'll have peace. Then we'll have a chance for peace." Israel's concerns are based on the reality of recent years, our experience with cease-fires, and the meaning of "Hudna".

The Meaning of "Hudna"

The Palestinians use the word "Hudna" to describe the cease-fire that is being negotiated. "Hudna" is an expression, rooted in Islamic tradition and Arab culture, which refers more accurately to a tactical truce.

In the year 628 AD, when surmising that his forces were too weak to overcome the rival Kuraysh tribes, the Prophet Mohammed concluded a ten-year truce accord with the Kuraysh. This agreement became known as the Hudaybiyya Accord, and the first Hudna. Yet, less than two years later, having consolidated their power, the Muslim forces decided to violate the agreement, and attacked the Kuraysh tribes. The Kuraysh tribes were defeated, allowing Mohammed to conquer the city of Mecca.

Since that time, the term "Hudna" has been understood by Muslims as a tactical cease-fire that is intended only to allow a shift in the balance of power. Once the balance of power has been achieved, and the groundwork has been laid for a Muslim victory, the truce can then be broken.

Since the term has acquired a semi-legal status in Islamic law and philosophy, it has been adopted by the Hamas and other Palestinian terrorist groups as a tactical measure to be used in times of crisis. Chairman Yasser Arafat has repeatedly used the term in the past few years.

In conclusion

• A tactical cease-fire of this nature may enable Hamas and other terrorist groups to rebuild their forces, recruit new members, and collect more weapons, leading to the renewal of their attacks on Israeli citizens, and endangering the chances for peace in the Middle East.
• Such a cease-fire is yet another ticking bomb, which will not end the violence. It just postpones the atrocities for another time.