A Paralyzing ‘Unity’ Government

Ariel Sharon has been installed as Israel’s prime minister, together with an oversize multi-party Cabinet that many expect to behave more like a large, dysfunctional family than a smooth-running government. Its members range from dovish Foreign Minister Shimon Peres on the left to Tourism Minister Rehavam Zeevi--who advocates expelling all Palestinians from the West Bank--on the lunatic right. Sharon calls it a national unity government. Others describe it as a government of national paralysis, destined to collapse before long under the weight of its internal contradictions. Sharon, elected with the largest mandate in Israel’s history, nonetheless takes office with the support of 73 of the Knesset’s 120 members.

How durable that base proves to be will depend largely on how Sharon goes about meeting his pledge to restore internal security after five months of Palestinian violence and frequent Israeli overreaction. Hamas, the militant Islamic group that opposes any Palestinian concessions for peace, promises more terrorist bombings, a threat that could be facilitated by Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat’s evident inability to control the protests he initially encouraged, and the police-led urban warfare they gave rise to.

The intifada that began after Sharon’s provocative visit to Jerusalem’s Temple Mount late September has brought havoc to a never-vigorous Palestinian economy and further discredited a regime already regarded with contempt because of its brutality, inefficiency and massive corruption. U.S. ambassador to Israel Martin Indyk warns of “semi-anarchy and gang rule” engulfing the West Bank and Gaza Strip as Arafat’s authority wanes and misery deepens. The United States wants Israel to ease the plight of the 3 million Palestinians by releasing the tax revenue it has collected on their behalf but withheld since the fighting began. Israel has refused, insisting that the violence must be curbed before it softens its stance.

The Bush administration has for now wisely decided not to take the initiative in trying to bring Israelis and Palestinians back to the bargaining table. But it should stand ready to serve as a conduit between the two sides if it is asked. At some point, the futility of the killing and destruction will be mutually recognized. Whether that will happen under a Sharon government is a question on many minds today.