Recent attacks on Ariel Sharon in the Western press are very disheartening for those of us interested in seeing peace in Palestine. Discussing Mr. Sharon’s role in war crimes is just a rhetorical exercise when the world is encouraging Israel to make peace with a self-confessed terrorist.
Far more important is assessing whether the parties are interested in making peace. When speaking English, both Mr. Sharon and Yasser Arafat say they are. Mr. Sharon actually made the sacrifices required for peace as part of the Israeli government that uprooted settlers to make peace with Egypt.
Mr. Arafat continues to spout militant rhetoric for his Arabic-speaking audience and refuses to make any specific peace proposals.
Both these men have pasts, but so far only Mr. Sharon gives us some hope for peace in the future.
