The Gaza Withdrawal: Initial Thoughts

So this year's Otzmanikim will be arriving in Israel at a very momentous time in the state's brief history. I remember supporting the withdrawal when it was proposed by Amram Mitzna when he was running for Prime Minister in 2003. I've always been a believer that because Israel is a responsible democracy, the ball is generally in its court when it comes to peacemaking, especially during the Arafat years. Have things changed since then? How does Abu Mazen aka Mahmoud Abbas aka the new guy who wears a suit instead of a kaffiyah change the equation?

I would like to hope that he has, and for the better. But I just don't know. For now, I support the withdrawal, and would like to believe that more withdrawals will follow, but hopefully ones that are negotiated, not unilateral. Cynics, of course, believe that this is a ploy by Sharon divert attention from expanding settlements and the fence in the West Bank. Some, however, who are skeptical of Sharon but nonetheless optimistic, feel that after the ball gets rolling with one withdrawal, there can only be more withdrawals to follow, if not in his government, than in another, perhaps one headed by Labor. It will be interesting to see what happens if the Likud party really falls apart and if there will be an election this fall or winter, who will run and who will win.