Sharon says that after the Gaza pullout, the Palestinians must work hard to prove themselves worthy as peace partners by dismantling militant groups and carrying out government reform. Only then could the two sides get started on the "road map" -- the internationally backed plan that would eventually lead to Palestinian statehood.
Shoval said negotiations on the terms of Palestinian statehood "may be years ahead." He also bristled at the idea that the Gaza pullout sets a precedent. "This is an isolated step taken by Israel," he said.
Earlier this week, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice suggested that Israel must keep going. "Everyone empathizes with what the Israelis are facing," she told the New York Times, referring to the Gaza pullout, but added that "it cannot be Gaza only."
taboo broken
Palestinian legislator Hanan Ashrawi said that "a certain taboo has been broken" with the removal of settlers, and that it is important the two sides now keep going and negotiate a final deal.
She noted that many Palestinians were amazed at the patience of Israeli troops with the settlers. "They [Palestinians] are used to the Israeli army shooting at them, giving them two minutes to leave their homes," she said, referring to Israeli army actions during nearly five years of Israeli-Palestinian fighting.
In Gaza, Abbas' security forces were working hard to keep Palestinian militants from disrupting the pullout by opening fire on soldiers or settlers. Throughout the week, various militant groups staged "victory" marches toward the Gush Katif settlement bloc, with crowds led by masked gunmen. Initially, Palestinian police were ill-prepared to stop the marchers but in recent days deployed rows of riot police.
On Friday, Abbas was quick to ride the growing wave of joy over Israel's departure, and promised fenced-in Gazans freedom of movement, jobs and housing.
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