Quartet Presents 'Roadmap for Peace' as Violence Continues

The Roadmap Unveiled

The Quartet (United States, United Nations, European Union, and Russia) formally presented its “Performance-Based Roadmap to a Permanent Two-State Solution” to Israeli and Palestinian leaders. The plan outlines a three-phase approach to end violence and establish a Palestinian state by 2005.

Three Phases

Phase I (Immediate - May 2003):

End terror and violence
Palestinian security reform
Israeli settlement freeze
Palestinian elections

Phase II (June 2003 - December 2003):

International conference
Palestinian state with provisional borders
New Palestinian constitution
Continued security cooperation

Phase III (2004 - 2005):

Final status negotiations
Permanent borders
Jerusalem, refugees, settlements resolved
End of conflict declaration

Initial Reactions

Israeli Reservations

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon expressed conditional acceptance with 14 reservations:

“Israel accepts the roadmap with comments that must be addressed. We cannot compromise on security,” - Sharon to Cabinet

Key Israeli concerns:

No negotiations until terror infrastructure dismantled
No refugee right of return
Settlement blocks to remain
Jerusalem as undivided capital

Palestinian Acceptance

Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) welcomed the initiative:

Full acceptance without reservations
Calls for immediate implementation
Demands settlement freeze first
Insists on 1967 borders

American Pressure

Bush Administration Push

President George W. Bush, fresh from Iraq invasion:

Personal investment in peace process
Links Middle East stability to Israeli-Palestinian peace
Pressures both sides for commitments
Appoints special monitoring team

Strategic calculation:

Improve US image in Arab world
Reward Tony Blair for Iraq support
Stabilize region post-Saddam
Counter growing extremism

Obstacles and Challenges

Violence Continues

Despite diplomatic movement:

Hamas, Islamic Jihad reject roadmap
Suicide bombings persist
Israeli targeted killings ongoing
Mutual trust absent

Settlement Activity

Controversial issues remain:

Construction continues in major blocks
“Natural growth” debate
Outpost removals promised but delayed
Palestinian land confiscations ongoing

International Dynamics

Quartet Coordination

Unprecedented international alignment:

United States: Leading role, security focus
European Union: Economic incentives, Palestinian state support
United Nations: International law emphasis
Russia: Balancing act, Hamas contacts

Regional Response

Arab states:

Cautious welcome
Demand concrete Israeli steps
Saudi initiative integration urged
Skepticism based on past failures

Implementation Challenges

Monitoring Mechanism

Quartet establishes monitoring system:

Special envoys appointed
Regular progress reports
Benchmark assessments
Crisis intervention protocols

Immediate Hurdles

First phase faces obstacles:

Palestinian security reform resisted
Israeli settlement freeze undefined
Violence undermines confidence
Political weakness on both sides

Historical Context

The roadmap represents fourth major peace initiative since Oslo:

Camp David Summit (2000) - Failed
Mitchell Report (2001) - Unimplemented
Tenet Plan (2001) - Collapsed
Saudi Initiative (2002) - Stalled

Skepticism and Hope

While international community expresses optimism, both populations remain skeptical after years of failed initiatives and continued bloodshed. Success depends on political will and ability to break cycle of violence.