The "disengagement" plan is a smoke screen to further isolate one Palestinian area from the other to create apartheid-like Bantustans. While Israel "disengages" from Gaza, it will continue construction of the illegal wall in the West Bank, expand illegal settlements there and confine Palestinians to ever-shrinking parcels of land, denying Palestinians true self-determination and the right to return to their homeland.

Israel wants $2.2 billion in U.S. aid to relocate settlers from Gaza. Will Israel ask the U.S. to compensate Palestinians whom Israel evicted from their homes in 1948? These people owned the lands from which they were evicted unlike the Jewish settlers, who weren't conveyed title to the lands on which their homes were built.

The world community must ensure that further steps are taken to give Israelis and Arabs long-term security and stability following the pullout. We recall President Bush's vision as stated in his second inaugural address: "The goal of two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace is within reach -- and America will help them achieve that goal." His promise to help achieve this dream means his credibility is at stake in the region.

Aref Assaf, Denville

The writer is president of the Arab American Forum of New Jersey.