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Another blow to peace

PEACE, for Israel, would seem to be the last priority, as is evident from the latest decision of the Sharon government to expand the settlements in the Golan Heights.

And, the announcement was clearly timed in such a way as to dampen the mood that is being created for proposed bilateral talks between Syria and Israel, a matter in which President Bashar has taken considerable interest. Sharon knows too well that the talks would largely centre around the issue of this strategic plateau that had been captured by Israel in the 1967 Middle East war. By expanding the settlements, Israel's plan is to strengthen its claim over the land, effectively scuttling Syria's claims for its return. The talks could thus be a non-starter. It could be that Sharon has misunderstood the good intentions of Syria. Despite being the aggrieved and the loser, Damascus has been handling the issue with considerable restraint in the past few decades, even in the face of occasional provocations, like the air raids that had taken place some two months ago.

That Syria did not retaliate was testimony to its intentions of peace. And, Bashar has gone a step further in the cause of peace by proposing talks so as to settle the outstanding problems and reduce the tensions in the region. But Israel thinks it can do what it wants and that no one would challenge them. Even the precious loss of lives in the continued violence on both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian divide does not open Sharon's eyes, and he continues to behave in his usual style - that of a military dictator - with little regard for the sufferings of people, whether they be Palestinians or Israelis, who are caught in the crossfire. A good leadership will have the wisdom to function in a way as to ensure a normal life to the people, but it is clear that Sharon and his team have only provocative items on their political agenda, instead.