Israeli Elections
A Vote for Peace, A Vote for Security
by Yossi Amrani,
Consul General to the Pacific Northwest Region

By democratically electing Mr. Ariel Sharon - the leader of the Likud party - as Prime Minister with 62.5% of the vote, the Israeli people has unequivocally spoken.

Disheartened by months of tensions and violence, and losing hope that Israel's far-reaching compromises would ever be enough to satisfy the Palestinians' demands, Israelis overwhelmingly voted in favor of an approach combining the continuous pursuit of peace and a re-evaluation of their country's place in the Middle East. Though resolute to find a permanent solution to the conflict, Israel will never compromise on its very existence and future.

No one should misread today's result as an Israeli weariness or exhaustion with either the peace process or with fifty years of continued battle for security and acceptance in the region. Recent polls unmistakably showed that a wide majority of Israelis, doves and hawks alike, support the peace efforts and the tough sacrifices necessary to reach a final agreement. Today's vote is not a repudiation of Israel's endeavors for peace. But if Israelis can and will take risks to achieve their goals, it will not be at the expense of the country's security and viability.

Peace should serve the interests of both the Israelis and Palestinians; it cannot only be an Israeli dream. The unprecedented Israeli proposals on the core issues of territory, refugees, settlements, and most significantly on Jerusalem, have only been met by additional Palestinian demands so far. Israel's repeated willingness to cooperate has only been echoed by further Palestinian reluctance.

As has been proven in recent months of negotiations, Israel is more than ever determined to explore any path that will help advance the cause of peace. In long frustrating talks conducted with a backdrop of violence and terrorism, we demonstrated time and again our eagerness to accept extensive concessions. However, as it takes two to tango, it takes two to make peace. The new Prime Minister Elect has made it clear that he will immediately engage in negotiations with the Palestinians; but no talks will be held under fire or under the threat of violence.

Imposing a resolution to the conflict acceptable only to the Arab world does not stand as a possible solution. The very essence of the art of conducting negotiations lies in all parties' ability to make compromises. By failing to embrace a policy of "quid pro quo", the Palestinian leadership falls short of understanding that negotiating is not a zero sum game.

The Palestinian leaders and their backers in the Arab family of nations should now take a pause and reassess their policies and attitude towards Israel. With the election of Ariel Sharon as Israel's Prime Minister comes a new opportunity for the Palestinians to resume negotiations and reach an agreement acceptable to both parties. The time is now ripe to put a halt to hostile rhetoric, engage in real efforts to end violence, and start educating the Palestinian public opinion about peace and coexistence. The Palestinian leadership must give up the idea of establishing a "Greater Palestine" as well as the design to end Israel's existence as a Jewish State.

The Arab world would be mistaken in continuing its efforts to castigate Mr. Sharon as an Israeli extremist opposed to peace. In lieu of waging a public opinion war against the clear democratic choice made by the Israeli people, Palestinians and Arabs should prepare to turn a new page for the better in the Middle East's history. Doing so, they will discover in the new Prime Minister not just an Israeli hero of past wars, but also a man of dialogue dedicated to put an end to hatred and bloodshed. Mr. Sharon's commitment is first and foremost to the people of Israel and their future.

The world community will find in Mr. Sharon a man devoted to achieving peace, security and stability in the Middle East. The United States will find in him a reliable, pragmatic, realistic and creative partner always willing to advance Israel's national goals and strengthen American-Israeli cooperation.

Much progress has been made in recent years of negotiation; Israelis and Palestinians have learnt to know each other better and understand that violence and military confrontation serves absolutely no good. The election of Ariel Sharon now stands as a renewed chance to demonstrate that the people of the region can draw the lessons of the achievements of the past years. Not only do Mr. Sharon and Israel deserve the chance, but the Middle East also needs it.