BYE BYE GAZA - Barry Chamish

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development. Israel is now led by a prime minister who has
the ability to make historic choices and a government
inclined to support him.
But opportunity is just that. Middle East history is replete with
examples of missed and lost chances to make peace. The
challenge now is to break this pattern and turn today's
opportunity into reality.
Govern responsibly
This requires that the promised Israeli disengagement from
Gaza and parts of the West Bank succeed. But "success"
entails more than departing Israelis. It also requires that
Palestinians demonstrate that they can govern responsibly
and that they can put an end to terrorist violence emanating
from Palestinian soil.
What happens in Gaza after Israel leaves will have a
profound impact on Israeli politics. If Gaza turns into a
lawless failed state, one that is a base for attacks on Israelis,
it will be difficult to persuade Israel to withdraw from other
areas that it now occupies. But if Palestinians in Gaza
demonstrate that they can rule themselves and be a good
neighbor, a key justification for Israel's continuing occupation
elsewhere will weaken.
Palestinians will need help if things are to turn out right in
Gaza. The United States, Europe and Arab states such as
Egypt, along with Russia and the United Nations, all have a
responsibility to assist Abbas. Palestinians need financial
and technical help to build up a unified and capable security
establishment, to revive a moribund economy and to build a
modern, transparent political system.
Domestic challenges