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Israeli troops pulled out from Bethlehem on Monday night, following the signing of an agreement the day before by Israeli Defence Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer and a Palestinian delegation led by Interior Minister Abdel Razzak al-Yahya and President Yasser Arafat's security adviser, Mohammed Dahlan.
The agreement was the biggest breakthrough that the Palestinians and Israelis have made since the latest clashes between the two foes were triggered by the provocative visit by Ariel Sharon - now Israel's prime minister - to an Islamic holy site in East Jerusalem in September 2000.
The agreed withdrawal of Israeli troops from Bethlehem and Gaza may only be an exploratory trial by both sides.
Peace and security in the region are dependent on the sincerity and insight of leaders on both sides and on support from the two peoples.
Israelis and Palestinians have agreed on several ceasefires during nearly two years of fighting in the West Bank and Gaza but none has lasted more than a few days. More than 1,500 Palestinians and nearly 600 Israelis have been killed in the violence. Previous negotiations failed partly due to Washington's insistence that talks between the two sides cover the issue of security.
The new agreement, though important, is only one step on a long journey. The settlement of the complicated problems involving Palestine and Israel needs concerted efforts.
Tight Israeli restrictions have caused unemployment in the West Bank and Gaza to surge and brought the Palestinian economy to the brink of collapse. Desperation has driven some Palestinians to extremes. Depriving their neighbours of their livelihood and dignity, the Israelis cannot expect peace under the gun.
It is still too early to be optimistic about a smooth journey ahead for the two sides.
Israeli troops still surrounded Bethlehem yesterday and might re-enter the town if they judge that the Palestinian National Authority cannot control security there. Sharon vowed to relentlessly pursue "activity against terrorist leaders" even though he said before the latest negotiations that it was in the Jewish state's interest to reach a political agreement. Shortly after his remarks, the Israeli army arrested 16 Palestinians suspected of having taken part in attacks.
Still, the fact that Israeli-Palestinian relations remain fragile was made clear by the mixed response to the agreement from Palestinian groups, especially the rejection of it by Hamas, Islamic Jihad (Holy War), and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.
Comprehensive security for the region cannot be achieved without a comprehensive and just peace that recognizes the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.
Painful though it may be, the pursuit of peace is the only choice for the peoples of the two sides. The national interests of the two sides can be best protected by a permanent and just peace in the region.
( August 21, 2002)
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