Israel - Foreign policy



Given Israel's high reliance on economic and strategic military support from the United States (Israel is the number one recipient of U.S. foreign aid, and loans from the U.S. equal nearly half of the nation's external debt), Ariel Sharon cannot ignore the wishes of his country's chief Western ally in regard to the crisis with the Palestinians. And as the conflict continues, the perception of the rest of the world may well become less and less sympathetic if Sharon's solutions seem more and more militaristic. Since the al-Aqsa intifada broke out in September 2000, and Sharon came to power in March 2001, Israel's policy toward the Palestinians has become more restrictive. In spring 2002, Israel launched against the Palestinians its largest military offensive in 20 years, since the invasion of Lebanon. As suicide bombings against Israeli targets increased in 2002–03, Sharon presided over a state in which Israeli soldiers operated freely in the West Bank and Gaza, Israeli settlements increased, and Israeli blockades of Palestinian cities were tightened. Sharon has demanded Arafat be replaced, and the U.S. has indicated it would welcome a change in Palestinian leadership. The Bush Administration in 2002 put forward a plan for resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian crisis dubbed a "road map," that includes plans for a Palestinian state, a proposal to which Sharon has reluctantly agreed. The plan includes demands that Israel dismantle settlements built since March 2001 and other concessions by Israel, to which Sharon has not agreed. The ruling coalition Sharon put together in February 2003 included two parties that oppose any Palestinian state and that staunchly support the settler movement. With the administration of US president George W. Bush focused on war with Iraq in March 2003, the "road map" has languished. The future of the Middle East may reach a deciding point, however, if war changes the political configuration of the region, and Sharon's leadership will be tested.

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