For two months, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has been talking about disengaging from the Palestinians. And now, American officials are listening. Three senior U.S. diplomats are in Israel this week discussing his plan for the unilateral withdrawal from Gaza and trying to figure out how this idea fits or doesn’t fit with the U.S. supported “roadmap” for peace. Sharon says he’s prepared to make this move if Palestinians “continue to drag their feet and postpone implementation of the roadmap.” Some are praising his pledge to pull settlers out of Gaza as a good faith effort at peace. Others argue its a cynical political stunt and an invitation for Hamas to take over Gaza.
Guests:
Edward Abington, former U.S. Consul General in Jerusalem
Ambassador Dennis Ross, Director of The Washington Institute for Near East Policy
Uzi Landau, Israeli cabinet minister
Ghassan al-Khatib, Palestinian Minster of labor.