"If the new Palestinian leadership seeks to build a democratic society, then the free world should support and encourage each step along the way. Such a leadership should be provided with international legitimacy, money and, yes, territory. But if the new leadership is not interested in building a democracy, then it should be given no legitimacy, no money, and no concessions. The formula for peace is simple: Embrace leaders who embrace democratic reform and reject leaders who don't. "
Sharansky suggest four ways we can measure Palestinian reform:
"We should should seek to find concrete means to determine whether Palestinians are making progress on democratic reforms, so we can link our policies directly to such reforms. First ... refugee camps should be dismantled as soon as possible and the refugees resettled in decent housing. Second ... Textbooks where Israel does not appear on the map and PA-controlled television programs where kindergarten children beckon their classmates to follow the path of suicide martyrdom should be replaced with an educational system that promotes peace. Third ... the new PA [must] embrace joint ventures that strengthen the Palestinian middle class while inevitably lessening the control the new regime has over its subjects. Finally, a new Palestinian leadership that is committed to reform will be our partners in fighting terror, for as long as terror continues no reform will be possible."
Sharansky continues: "We should be under no illusions about the upcoming Palestinian elections. ... Free elections can only be held in a free society where people can express their views without fear of being punished, let alone killed. ... Still, whoever emerges from the elections in January should be given an opportunity to win the trust of the free world, including Israel."
Sharansky concludes: "In the weeks, months, and years ahead, those who want to know the state of the peace process might want to tune out all the chatter and ask themselves one question: Is there more freedom today within Palestinian society than there was last week, last month, or last year? If the answer is yes, then we will truly be moving down the road to peace."
Read the whole article, then buy and read his new book: The Case for Democracy.
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