Thus Spake Weisglass

Jonathan Edelstein isn't happy with Sharon advisor Dov Weisglass's comments that the Gaza withdrawal was meant to freeze the peace process. I'm slightly more relaxed. At the moment, Sharon's Gaza plan is the only proposal to change the status quo for the better. If this helps it, so much the better. I don't think Sharon believes any serious negotiations are possible while Arafat remains in power. At the same time, this makes it more difficult for Palestinian militants to claim credit for driving the Israelis out. The major sacrifice is in the court of public opinion, especially in Europe, and I think it's probably worth it if the benefits are realized. Sometimes you have to burn your closer to nail down game seven before you worry about the next round.