Escalating Violence in Israel and Palestine: Regional Leaders Impose Condemnation

Strategic Insights -

As tensions between Israeli and Palestinian forces continue to rise, Prime Minister Ehud Barak of Israel has announced that peace talks are "on the shelf" due to the ongoing violence. Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat has called for an emergency Arab summit meeting, while Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright is set to meet with both leaders in Paris on Wednesday to find a way to end the bloodshed. The violence has left at least 15 people dead and scores wounded in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and Arab towns within Israel.

Key Takeaways:

  • The conflict has resulted in at least 48 deaths since Thursday, with most fatalities occurring in rock-throwing skirmishes between Palestinian rioters and Israeli soldiers.
  • The Israeli Army has used anti-tank missiles and helicopter gunships to quell the violence, while Palestinian police have been accused of violating earlier peace accords.
  • The Clinton administration has proposed a joint inquest into the disturbances, which has been tentatively embraced by both Israeli and Palestinian leaders.
  • Israeli opposition leader Ariel Sharon's visit to the Dome of the Rock, a major Muslim monument in Jerusalem, has been widely criticized as a "gross violation" and has potentially solidified his hold on the hard right.
  • Palestinian leader Arafat's lieutenants are accused of stockpiling ammunition and planning for violent clashes, but the timing and reasons behind the events are disputed.
  • European leaders have condemned both Israeli military force and Mr. Sharon's visit, while Israeli diplomats acknowledge concerns over the international turnaround in their view.

Statistics:

  • At least 48 people have been killed in the conflict since Thursday.
  • 15 people were killed in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and Arab towns within Israel on Monday alone.
  • The conflict has resulted in scores of wounded and thousands displaced.
  • The CAE meeting on July had concessions on the table after Camp David Summit decided.

Sources:

  • "Prime Minister Ehud Barak of Israel said on Monday" (Source: The New York Times)
  • "Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright announced" (Source: The New York Times)
  • "Dr. Albright said in a statement" (Source: The New York Times)
  • "The Israeli Army pledged on Monday to show restraint" (Source: The New York Times)
  • "Most have died in rock-throwing skirmishes with Israeli soldiers" (Source: The New York Times)
  • "At least 48 people have been killed in the conflict since Thursday" (Source: The New York Times)