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Prime Minister Ariel Sharon announced the cabinet decision to set up buffer zones to provide better security against Palestinian attacks.
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| By israelinsider staff February 21, 2002 |
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Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, in an address to the nation, announced that his cabinet had approved the creation of "buffer zones" to create what he called a "security separation" between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Few details on the proposed zones were announced, and commentators dismissed the announcement as nothing new.
Sharon said that "to increase the security of our citizens, we have decided to establish buffer zones, so as to achieve security separation. The expanded cabinet decided several days ago to begin marking buffer zones and establishing obstacles throughout these zones." Analysts pointed out that the plan had been announced months ago, and there would no demarcation of a border, nor plans to create continuous fences except in very limited areas.
Most of Sharon's speech was dedicated to restating familiar positions of determination in the face of what he called a "brutal campaign of terrorism," in an attempt to rally the nation.
At the same time, Sharon extended the prospect of an eventual ceasefire, armistice, and peace treaty with the Palestinians. "We all want peace and are obligated to peace. My goal is to reach a comprehensive peace with the Palestinians which will enable quiet and secure lives for us and for them," he said.
Sharon acknoledged the reported arrest of Palestinians involved in the assassination of Israeli Tourism Minister Rechavam Zeevi, if true, would be a positive step, but he expressed some skepticism. "We are checking these reports. We have heard such declarations before." He also restated additional conditions, including the arrest of those involved in the Karine A arms smuggling attempt, that have yet to be met. However, he insisted that he was a man who "kept his promises," suggesting that Arafat would be allowed to leave Ramallah if he fulfills those criteria.
Sharon implicitly criticized army reservists who refuse to serve in the territories. "Expressions of disobedience," he said, "naturally encourage terrorist organizations and motivate them to intensify their actions." However, he continued, "our neighbors" are wrong because they "fail to understand our domestic disagreements, which are not only the lifeblood of our democracy but also one of the sources of our strength. The people of Israel are much stronger and resilient than they imagine," he said.
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