We must first recognize that the Geneva Accord is a serious document. The authors have obviously invested a lot of time in research and thought to ponder on the multiple considerations it involves.

I have not yet seen the maps. Let us suppose that they are consistent with the Security Council resolution 242 which forbids the acquisition of territory as the result of war.

The West Bank territories, the Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem would become a separate Palestinian state. That is great! Some violations of Palestinian sovereignty on the territory are mentioned, such as Israel's right to use Palestinian airspace for their air force practice. Other violations have a temporary character.

The main objection is that the agreement does not implement the right of return of Palestinian refugees. It offers a number of choices to the refugees except the choice to go back to Israeli territory, even if one is native of the land on which Israel will have sovereignty. Still, the refugees will get compensations, will receive citizenship in Palestine, or in hosting countries, will be able to have a passport and to travel. Palestinians having an Israeli citizenship would no longer be discriminated against.

The accord seems to have been formulated in such a way that it could be accepted by a fearful Israeli population, fearful of the intentions of the Palestinians. It lacks symmetry. While Palestine would remain a demilitarized country, no such request is imposed on Israel.

Is it a just solution? Obviously not! Can the Palestinians get a better deal by other ways? And how long would it take?

Here are my guesses. Say the Palestinians reject the Geneva accord; they will appear unreasonable in the eyes of international public opinion. This will give more latitude to the ‘Sharonites’ to have recourse to their extremist solutions. The Palestinians will find themselves totally isolated. As time will pass, less and less of what the Palestinians would like to claim would find itself on the negotiating table. Yes, the Palestinians would have remained committed to the right of return of the refugees. However, the prospects of seeing those rights implemented in the near future would remain dim at best.

Now, say that the Palestinian National Authority does accept the Geneva Accord; my guess is that any expansionist Israeli leadership would reject it. Israel would be internationally blamed for that. However, that rejection may have a strong effect on the internal situation in Israel, especially if the Palestinians do learn how to speak to the Israeli people over the head of their leaders; the Israeli extremists might become less popular. There could be, in time, an evolution in Israel, bringing to power a government sincerely willing to live in peace with the Palestinians.

Then, what about the refugees? Are their rights doomed to limited choices that exclude the one they would have made, if given a chance? Not necessarily.

Consider the real possibility of an evolution in the relations between the two states such that they would be willing to accept any of the possible ways of voluntary union. This option will remain, even with the Geneva agreement. Palestinians will have to unwaveringly implement a strategy that talks to the people of Israel and will result in their public opinion moving steadily to the left, till the union would become a possibility. At that time those refugees who would have chosen to move to Palestine, will get the freedom to move anywhere in Israel too, after the two countries would have united voluntarily.

I am still musing over the Accord, and waiting for more details. I must confess that I am hesitant to reject a solution which would bring security, freedom and the end of humiliation to the Palestinians in the West Bank, would improve the lot of the refugees (but would not realize their ultimate dream), and yet I worry that it might prolong the agony of the Palestinians in the occupied territories and that of the refugees, wherever they be. It is an exceedingly tough decision to make. How much easier would it be to let Sharon reject it!

For more articles by the author please visit the following sites:

http://cleibovi.shawbiz.ca
http://cleibovi.shawbiz.ca/appeasement
http://cleibovi.shawbiz.ca/justpeace