***The real sufferers due to Israel's unacceptable behaviour and consequent onslaughts are the people and they seemed to be at a stage to defy anything that comes on the way. That signals the real danger and it's not limited to the Middle East only it's apparently worldwide. Therefore, it's reasonable to suggest that the US start taking reasonable steps to put Israel in its own place and ask it to do everything that would be needed to find a reasonable solution to the conflict.***

HAVING lost personal credibility that he earned with the Palestinians since he took over as the Prime Minister of Israel. Ehud Barak dispatched Nobel Peace Laureate Shimon Peres to another Nobel Peace Laureate Yaser Arafat with a view to ending the violence that lias been going on for over a month. So far about 170 Palestinian and Israeli Arabs were killed during the period. Apparently, both peacemakers were of similar views and hence some understanding was reached to end the violence. But it was already too late and therefore no dramatic effect could be seen. The Palestinians’ anger was at its peak due to so many deaths and Injuries numbering over 6000. It was a veritable war as the Israelis were using "excessive force” against the Palestinian population. The UN Human Rights body also accused Israel of committing genocide.

Here Is the failure of Ehud Barak. He should not have allowed Israeli forces to use "excessive force" against stonethrowing Palestinians knowing full well that this will destroy his credibility as well as the peace process. This is exactly what Ariel Sharon's alm was destroy the peace process, and along with It. Ehud Barak. Now Barak says. "We are strong enough to stand on both fronts: the battle for peace and struggling against violence and terror." The use of helicopter gunships and tanks against the Palestinian civilians with whom he was negotiating peace was not a "battle for peace" nor was it a "struggle" against violence of stone throwers. The army does not struggle against the stone throwers by using tanks. This was simply the violent expression of the ego and arrogance of the superior armed forces of /sradHowever. the understanding that was reached between Arafat and Shimon Peres

started having some good effect on the ground despite the earlier car bomb attack which must be condemned. The intensity of the violence came down and the Palestinian police were seen stopping the stone throwers. Israelis also started withdrawing tanks another heavy military equipment from some areas of the outskirts of the Palestinian territories. But later it appeared that Israelis reintroduced tanks in some areas as some violence was continuing which was. however, expected. The Palestinian anger could not subside overnight. Indeed, the situation turned violent again when Israeli forces killed several Palestinians including some teenagers. Israelis again used helicopter gunship to reportedly deliberately kill a Fattah official. Tills enraged the Palestinians again. This happened when Arafat was In Washington to talk to President Clinton.

In any case, the Palestinians were continuing their agitation against the visit of Ariel Sharon to the holy sites. The Palestinian protest, though was generally unruly and In some areas violent, was not a military attack against Israel which could warrant deployment of helicopter gunships, tanks etc. The situation was wrongly handled which was not expected of a General like Ehud Barak.

The other wrong approach to the situation was an attempt by Barak to have a national emergency government. It was not a national emergency: It was indeed personal emergency of Barak as he was expecting a

stormy session of the Knesset (Parliament) at the encl of October where he was set to face no-confidencc motions and with only 30-member strength he was expecting the fall of his govern ment. Inevitable as it was. Barak failed to strike a deal with Sharon. This might help the |x-ace process. If anything of it is still left to work on. To save the situation temporarily, apparently for a month, ultra-orthodox party Shaas gave support to Barak. Dils enabled him to face Knesset where there were several no-confidence motions. One can expect Indefinite support from Shaas as Its members appear

unsure about their return to Knesset if the general election is held soon. Their key leader Ariel Derry Is already serving Jail sentence for corruption. Therefore. Barak may not face immediate danger of the collapse of his minority government.

Prime Minister Barak should now use this respite to work toward regaining his lost credibility with the Palestinians. He said. " We wlll persevere in our effort for peace." Only uttering of the word peace will not help: he has to withdraw all his tanks and other military equipment from the vicinity of the Palestinian areas. If these are not visible and die Israeli forces remain away, the

Palestinians will not have anything to deliver their rocks on. Hie violence will automatically subside though these cannot be stopped altogether Immediately unless something tangible comes out In the proposed talks at Washington. Only flash points will then be the settlements. There again the settlers must not do anything that will provoke the situation.

In order to re-launch any peace effort. Barak has to agree to the Immediate setting up of the International fact-finding committee to investigate the real cause of violence, this would coo) down the temper on the ground substantially. Israel must also open

the Palestinian areasand borders that are closed now. Gaza airport should also be opened wldiout any further delay All Palestinians and Indeed all Muslims regardless of age should be allowed to go and pray In the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Israel Is. however, free to protect their prayer site - the Western Wall from any possible attack. The meetings that take place between the Palestinian and Israeli security forces should specifically agree on Joint measures that could stop any possible violence after prayerslf Israel is seriously Interested in stopping the violence, the answer Iles in total withdrawal of Israeli forces from the disputed areas and

stationing of the UN observers between the Iwo feuding parties. It Is the demand of the Palestinians which clearly Indicate their desire to stop violence. But Israel has been opposing It for no reason. Indeed, the UN observers will lx* Immensely good for Israel too as the UN then takes full responsibility for stopping the ongoing violence which Israel Is unable to do. Israel should indeed welcome this as Israeli people are also tired of the situation where peoples lives are at risk. The UN observers can also ultimately help in implementing peace, if peace from Washington can ever travel to the area of conflict It Is Indeed praiseworthyhat President Clinton Is still bent upon doing something that can bring some form of peace In the area. This seems to be his drcam. The President in the While House Is the President even If one gets elected who would take over in January If the unprecedented US election "crisis” can be sorted out soon. Indeed, the man who has been operating from the WBite House and certainly running the vast country like the Unites States successfully and Influencing the rest of the world in some way for the last eight years cannot suddenly turn to be a lame duck President". The President remains a President as long as he Is in charge and in the White House. Il is up to him to assert and make things happen. He should get full support of the President elect and the Congress to bring peace in the Middle East as peace in the area is vitally linked to national interest of the US.

It Is well known that Israel is ’ the special ally of the US but undue support to Israel at the cost of others would certainly make the rest of the area enemy of the US. Israel even with its best military establishments and arsenals cannot stop the tide that may seek to engulf everything leading to total destabilisation of the area. The signs are already there. Tire Arab slates which had some form of link with Israel art-under pressure to review their present positions. Qatar has already closed Israel s trade office In Doha as otherwise the ninth summit of QIC members was in danger.

The real sufferers due to Israel's unacceptable behaviour and consequent onslaughts are the people and they seemed to be at a stage to defy anything that comes on the way. That signals the real danger and It's not limited to the Middle East only jf8 apparently worldwide. Therefore. It's reasonable to suggest that the US start taking reasonable steps to put Israel in its own place and ask it to do everything that would be needed to find a reasonable solution to the conflict.

East Jerusalem has been _ proved finally to be the real issue -and the area must be given to the Palestinians and this will place others things tn place without much trouble. It would be easier to achieve peace once the Issue of East Jerusalem is out of the way. Let President Clinton in his latest meeting at the White House try to put this into the head of Ehud Barak. Let Prime Minister Barak take the risk as he is under the risk any way and agree to hand over East Jerusalem to Arafat. The people of Israel except the extremists would, as it appears welcome it as they know that Israel's forced occupation of East Jerusalem with the Muslim holy sites would mean harakiri for