In an unprecedented diplomatic challenge, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon cautioned the West, and the United States in particular, not to pursue a policy of appeasement toward the Arabs, referring to the historical precedent that European nations sacrificed Czechoslovakia to Hitler in the hope that this would satisfy Nazi ambitions and bring peace.

In a brief announcement to journalists following the crash of a Russian plane from Tel Aviv, Sharon said that he was in close contact with President Vladimir Putin and the Russian authorities to clarify the circumstances of the explosion that destroyed the plane and killed 77 on board, most of them Israelis.

Sharon related to the latest in a series of terrorist attacks, when a Palestinian terrorist disguised in an Israeli paratroopers uniform killed three Israelis at a bus station in Afula. He referred to the failure of efforts to bring a cease-fire: "All of our efforts to attain a cease-fire have been been torpedoed by the Palestinians. The fire did not cease, even for one day. The Cabinet has therefore instructed our security forces to take all necessary measures to bring full security to the citizens of Israel. We can rely only on ourselves. [The following sentence, significantly, was said in Hebrew only] And from this day forward, we will rely only on ourselves."

But the thrust of Sharon's remarks [here translated from Hebrew] were directed westward: "We are currently in the midst of a complex and difficult diplomatic campaign. I turn to the western democracies, first and foremost the leader of the free world, the United States. Do not repeat the dreadful mistake of 1938, when the enlightened democracies of Europe decided to sacrifice Czechoslovakia for the sake of a temporary, convenient solution. Don't try to appease the Arabs at our expense. We will not accept this. Israel will not be Czechoslovakia. Israel will fight terror. There's no difference between 'good terror' and 'bad terror' just as there is no difference between 'good murder' and 'bad murder.' Terrorism, as we witnessed this week in Alei Sinai, is worse than murder."

Finally, Sharon turned to the Israeli people: "We have been fighting terrorism for over 100 years. Unfortunately, there is no swift and immediate solution, but if we confront this terrorism united, we will be able to overcome it and bring peace. And we shall overcome."

Israeli officials were uncharacteristically reticent to comment on Sharon's remarks. Army Radio reported in the morning that they were unable to extract any quote from any government minister with whom they spoke. Opposition leader Yossi Sarid of the left wing Meretz party was quoted as saying that Sharon had exaggerated and had caused damage to Israel's image by expressing his anger so directly.

Israeli journalists were also at a loss for words to explain Sharon's "unprecedented" remarks. Part of the reason for the barely-veiled hostility the Prime Minister expressed with regard to the United States is evidently a less than understanding response of the Bush Administration to his request to include Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Hizbullah to the "A-list" of terror groups, especially after each of the groups launched attacks on Israel in recent days, with little or no action by the Palestinian Authority.

Another explanation is believed to be the new Middle East "initiative" reportedly being introduced by the Bush Administration to gain support from reluctant Arab would-be coalition partners. Israeli sources and the World Tribune report that the outline of the initiative resembled the "bridging proposals" offered by President Clinton at the end of his Administration.

The U.S. initiative reportedly calls for an independent Palestinian state, division of Jerusalem (Jewish areas to Israel and Arab areas to Palestine, including the Temple Mount), and the halt of all Israeli construction in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The U.S. initiative, World Tribune reports, is to be presented by U.S. Assistant Secretary of State William Burns after he arrives for a tour of the Middle East over the weekend. He is expected to visit Israel, the Palestinian Authority and several Arab capitals.

Haaretz reports that next week Minister Dan Meridor and national security adviser Uzi Dayan will travel to the U.S. to meet with senior White House and State Department officials. Former Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Zalman Shoval will visit Washington during the same period, as a personal envoy of the prime minister. The three will clarify the Israeli position, and seek to persuade the U.S. to act against Palestinian terror groups and Hezbollah.

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