COLUMN: Terrorism not key to peace

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by Usman Baber

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THE ESTABLISHMENT of a peace accord between the Israeli government and the Palestinian Liberation Organization signified an optimistic new era in the Middle East for pro-gressives and liberals.

But to conservatives, it also meant a threat to traditional views and established pre-judices.

Because of this perception, it is doubtful anyone could be certain that peace will be easy.

The recent suicide bombings have made it clear how far some are willing go to abolish any chance for peace between the Israeli government and the PLO.

There seems to be a prevailing attitude, however, that the only reason peace isn't succeeding is because of terrorist attacks on civilians by such groups as Hamas and Islamic Jihad.

Even though these attacks have been rightfully denounced, the truth is that certain actions taken by the Israeli government have proven to be just as damaging to the peace process.

For example, Israel still confiscates Palestinian land to make new settlements and roads which only Jews can use.

Palestinians are also denied the bulk of their water and land resources. This embargo hurts their agriculture and industry.

Israel also continues to torture Palestinian prisoners.

A recent policy, in response to the suicide bombings, has been the institution of collective punishment for innocent Palestinians as well as those responsible for terrorism. For example, the houses of alleged terrorists were demolished.

While this might send a messge to the alleged criminal, it also leaves many innocent wives, children and grandparents homeless.

Such government policies can only serve the cause of right-wing extremism and give Palestinians more reasons to oppose the peace process. Proof of this is the decreasing support for Yasser Arafat's Palestinian authority.

If the Israeli government is serious about peace, then they must realize that most Palestinians are too and act accordingly.

Obviously, most people realize that peace is the only viable solution to this crisis.

If this peace is to be realized, however, Peres, along with Arafat and Clinton, must acknowledge and deal with all terrorism.

It is only then that faith can be restored in the hearts of both Palestinians and Israelis in the inherent benefits of a peaceful solution to their centuries-old problem.

This item appeared in the Opinion section of the April 12, 1996 issue.

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