Withdrawal from Gaza: A step towards peace or the end of the two-state solution?

Muriel Asseburg

No 13/2004, SWP Comments from Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik (SWP), German Institute for International and Security Affairs

Abstract: In December 2003, Israel's prime minister, Ariel Sharon, announced his intention of unilaterally disengaging from the Palestinians. Meanwhile Sharon has elaborated that the disengagement will not only include the construction of a separation barrier in the West Bank, but also the withdrawal from those areas in which no Israelis will be living anyhow after a final status agreement has been reached: the Gaza Strip and some isolated settlements in the northern West Bank. In April 2004, US president George W. Bush commended Sharon's plan as historic and courageous and pledged American assistance. Indeed there is hope that a withdrawal will create renewed momentum in the current Middle Eastern deadlock. Such momentum, however, is not inherent in Sharon's plan. It will only come about if the international community is willing to heavily involve itself. Otherwise, violence is likely to escalate further - the May 2004 confrontations in Gaza might be considered a prelude - and measures will be taken that will ultimately prevent, rather than lead to, a two-state solution. (SWP Comments / SWP)

Date: 2004
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