Yet a true and lasting peace , as opposed to a mere temporary cessation of hostilities, is inconceivable unless some measure of justice is both achieved and perceived, by both sides, to have been achieved. Palestine is not seeking concessions from Israel, only compliance. The Palestinian territories conquered in 1967 are not disputed, simply illegally occupied. Israel is not generously offering to cede its land to Palestine but insisting that Palestine cede indisputably Palestinian lands to Israel. The only way Israel will ever acquire sovereignty over any part of Jerusalem is by agreeing to share or divide the city with Palestine.
Any true peace requires some measure of justice.
It is high time for all involved to recognise and speak clearly about these fundamental realities. If a new language of peace can be propagated and take root during the Sharon interlude, the difficult months ahead will not be wasted and a true and lasting peace may finally be achievable when this interlude ends. The writer is an international lawyer who writes frequently on the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. He contributed this article to the Jordan Times. Copyright 2001 Media Monitors Network .