One can argue that Israel took the decision to “unilaterally disengage” the day it invaded the West Bank and Gaza two years ago, during Israel’s “defensive shield” operation which was a hateful offensive against the Palestinian people, leadership, cities and infrastructure.

The assault, which started on March 28th, 2002, came only hours after Arafat’s call for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire. This operation thumped the Arab Peace Initiative offering normality and recognition of Israel, from all its Arab neighbors, in return for an end to the occupation of 22% of historical Palestine, occupied in 1967.

On that day, Israel made evident its decision to disengage from its Arab neighbors, the Palestinian people and their authority, in effect detaching itself from peace efforts as it was being offered a historical concession.

The Arab Peace Initiative, praised by all including the USA, received a blatant rejection epitomized by Israel’s operation, which embarrassed the Arabs who offered great sacrifices only to find no peace partner on the other side.

Operation ‘Defensive Shield’ went on for 45 days. During its implementation, more than 250 Palestinians were killed throughout the West Bank, among them 55 children, 21 of which were under the age of 12. Approximately 1500 Palestinians were injured.

The total loss estimated by foreign institutions amounted to $342 million, excluding social and humanitarian costs and income losses. In Jenin refugee camp, more than 800 families found themselves homeless, as the damage to housing exceeded $34 million. Many historical and cultural sites were destroyed and damages were estimated at $52 million.

The invasion did not exclude schools, universities, non-governmental organizations and ministries, delivering a serious blow to Palestinian institutions, which are necessary for both securing the daily lives of Palestinians and providing an infrastructure for effectively pursuing the peace process.

A UN Security Council resolution, 1402, which received unanimous backing, called upon Israel to withdraw its forces from Palestinian cities. Needless to say, just like every other resolution passed, Israel did not comply and the world stood idly by.

Everybody stood still, as Israel disengaged from international law and prospects for peace, no action was taken as Israel escalated its aggression and hostility towards the Palestinian people and fermented an atmosphere of mistrust in the region, despite an Arab and Palestinian historical effort to extend a diplomatic hand offering concessions for the sake of a lasting solution.

Today, as Israel seeks pity and claims to be the occupying “victim,” the Palestinians are seeking justice and liberation from occupation. The unabated and continued building of illegal settlements and the construction of the racist Separation Wall reveals that this Israeli government, along with the current US administration, is not interested in reaching a solution acceptable by the majority.

What is needed is an evenhanded approach, which regards all lives, Palestinian and Israeli, as precious and equal while holding the occupier responsible for its violations. Sadly, such a noble approach is wishful thinking as it could damage Zionist ambitions, something the mediators are not too keen on doing.

Peace and unilateral policies do not seem to go hand in hand, especially when the enemy is the prosecutor and the judge. A true peace would require a third party intervention, unlike the present efforts, but parties that are able to free themselves from prejudices and seek true justice for the sake of the Palestinians and Israelis alike.