Israel has asked the European Union to make Palestinians sign a document renouncing terrorism before they can receive EU help under a new aid program, Western officials said on Tuesday.
What an excellent suggestion! Make them sign a document - and all our problems will be solved!
Just like when Arafat said in 1993:
the PLO renounces the use of terrorism and other acts of violence and will assume responsibility over all PLO elements and personnel in order to assure their compliance, prevent violations and discipline violators.And when the Palestinian Arabs accepted Oslo:
The Government of the State of Israel and the P.L.O. team (in the Jordanian-Palestinian delegation to the Middle East Peace Conference) (the "Palestinian Delegation"), representing the Palestinian people, agree that it is time to put an end to decades of confrontation and conflict, recognize their mutual legitimate and political rights, and strive to live in peaceful coexistence and mutual dignity and security and achieve a just, lasting and comprehensive peace settlement and historic reconciliation through the agreed political process.Or when they signed the Oslo Interim Agreements in 1995:
Both sides shall take all measures necessary in order to prevent acts of terrorism, crime and hostilities directed against each other, against individuals falling under the other's authority and against their property, and shall take legal measures against offenders.Or when the Palestinian Arabs accepted the Wye River Memorandum:
A. Security Actions
1. Outlawing and Combating Terrorist Organizations
a. The Palestinian side will make known its policy of zero tolerance for terror and violence against both sides. b. A work plan developed by the Palestinian side will be shared with the U.S. and thereafter implementation will begin immediately to ensure the systematic and effective combat of terrorist organizations and their infrastructure.
See how much terror was reduced by making terrorists sign agreements pledging peace?
As a bonus, check out this paragraph from a letter from the US to Israel:
U.S. State Department
Washington, D.C.
October 30, 1998
Mr. Dani Naveh
Cabinet Secretary
Government of Israel
Dear Mr. Naveh:
I wanted to provide further clarification of the understanding of the United States regarding one of the issues addressed in the "Wye River Memorandum."
With respect to the Palestinian side's provision of its list of policemen to Israel (II(C)(1)(a)), the U.S. has been assured that it will receive all appropriate information concerning current and former policemen as part of our assistance program. It is also our understanding that it was agreed by the two sides that the total number of Palestinian policemen would not exceed
30,000.
Sincerely,
Dennis B. Ross
Special Middle East Coordinator
Some people seem to mix up "peace" with "pieces of paper."