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Peace Process

Sharansky: Pullout will weaken democracy


By Jerusalem Newswire Editorial Staff
May 02, 2005

Minister of Diaspora Affairs and Jerusalem Natan Sharansky resigned from Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's cabinet Monday morning in protest over the government's plan to forcibly uproot the Jews of Gaza and northern Samaria.

In his resignation letter, Sharansky told Sharon any concessions to the PLO should be based on sincere democratic reforms, and explained that unilaterally withdrawing will instead "weaken the prospects for building a free Palestinian society and at the same time strengthen the forces of terror."

"Will our departure from Gaza encourage building a society where freedom of speech is protected, where independent courts protect individual rights and were free market enable Palestinians to build an independent economic life beyond government control?" Sharansky asked.

He further questioned if Israel's retreat will "end incitement in the Palestinian media or hate-filled indoctrination in Palestinian schools" or "result in the dismantling of terror groups or the dismantling of the refugee camps in which four generation of Palestinians have lived in miserable conditions?"

"Clearly, the answer to all these questions is no," Sharansky stated.

Instead, Sharansky explained, the government is guided by the "illusion" that by quitting Gaza, Israel will be able to leave behind all the troubles of Gaza.

"In my view, the disengagement plan is a tragic mistake that will exacerbate the conflict with the Palestinians, increase terrorism, and dim the prospects of forging a genuine peace," he wrote.

At the very least, Israel should take advantage of the US-led push for global democracy by demanding the Palestinian Authority embrace freedom and democracy in Gaza before withdrawing, Sharansky noted.

He also touched on the "terrible rift" the retreat plan was creating in the nation, and lamented the fact that "the government is making no serious effort to prevent it."

Sharansky was the last minister openly and consistently opposed to Sharon's "disengagement" plan to remain in the cabinet. It is widely believed he avoided being fired like the others due to his enormous popularity with US President George W. Bush and Americans in general.

Sharansky's colleagues to the right of the political spectrum noted he is an internationally recognized symbol of human rights, and said his resignation was a moral victory for those opposed to Sharon's policies.

"Sharansky has turned into a world symbol for the struggle for human rights, human freedom, and the advancement of democracy," Arutz 7 quoted MK Effi Eitam as saying.

Likud MK Ehud Yatom said Sharansky's resignation "will give new momentum to the struggle against the disengagement," which is in need of worthy leadership.

Yatom praised Sharansky "as the kind of politician whose honesty and decency overcome their interest" in maintaining their seat in government.

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