Nazir Majally, Asharq Al-Awsat

OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, 28 November 2003 — Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon took a tough line yesterday ahead of the unveiling of an unofficial peace plan, vowing that he will speed up the building of the controversial West Bank wall and threatening the Palestinians with unilateral steps.

In the Gaza Strip, the Israeli Army admitted to a blunder when it shot dead three unarmed Palestinians from the same family who were returning from Eid Al-Fitr celebrations. In a speech to members of the Israeli press in Tel Aviv, Sharon accused Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qorei of failing to respect the internationally backed road map to peace blueprint and threatened unilateral measures.

“We do not see the slightest attempt by the Palestinian Authority to take action against terrorism. That is why Israel has got to do what it’s got to do,” Sharon said.

“I told the Palestinians that they do not have an unlimited amount of time,” he said, squarely rejecting Qorei’s demand for a series of goodwill measures before a resumption of negotiations. Speaking to reporters in Ramallah, Qorei nevertheless said he believed Sharon still wanted to meet him, and announced that their two chiefs of staff would hold a preparatory meeting.

“I am not in favor of an arbitrary timetable, but our patience has limits,” Sharon warned. “I may reach the conclusion that there is no reason to wait for another Palestinian government and another one, and I may take unilateral measures.

“It is clear that we will not always be in all the places that we are now. That is the real political horizon for them and for us to reach a stable peace agreement, which starts with a cease-fire,” he said.

Sharon did not elaborate on these measures, refusing to confirm reports that he was considering a withdrawal from isolated Jewish settlements such as Netzarim.

Palestinian Negotiations Minister Saeb Erekat charged that Sharon’s pledge to continue the same policies was further evidence of Israel’s attempts to weasel out of the road map. He “is continuing his policy which aims to impose a reality on the ground through continuing settlements and the building of the wall,” Erekat said.

“Between them and us is the road map. We don’t look to solve some problems here and there; we look to implement the road map as it is supported by the international community.” In further indication Israel was undeterred by US warnings, Deputy Defense Minister Zeev Boim said earlier yesterday that more outposts were about to be “legalized” by the government.