Abstract

This article argues that the congruence between the ideological outlook and policies of the Bush Administration and the Sharon government, combined with the incapacity of the Palestinian leadership – both Palestinian Authority and opposition groups – and the absence of an active Arab or European role, have together created a volatile situation in the Middle East. The inexorable advance of Israeli colonization of the occupied territories over the past 37 years, endangering Palestinians, Israelis, and regional stability, has created a situation close to apartheid. There is a high degree of immobilism in both Israeli and Palestinian political systems. It is EU’s vital interest not to allow a problem that already affects internal stability of several European countries to continue to worsen. Strong support for Palestinian democratic development, fostered neither by Israel nor by the Bush Administration, is in the interest of all concerned, and should be supported by Europe.

Rashid Khalidi holds the Edward Said of Arabian Studies Chair and is Director of the Middle East Institute at Columbia University (USA).