Moderate Peace Negotiator
Peace, negotiation, moderate, what hopeful words and when they're strung together don't they offer optimism? What is the community of humans without optimism, hope for the future, anticipation that matters can always be improved, given sufficient time and the sincere strivings of well-intentioned individuals among us whose strength of character and high regard within the population they represent can and often does result in peace.When the name of Fatah's PA President Mahmoud Abbas comes up in any western-based news reportage it is invariably prefaced by the opinion-moderating descriptive of "moderate". Suspicions can be allayed and hope springs eternal with that kindness of description. When dealing with one who has moderate views, a temperate character, is a reasonable individual, much can be accomplished.
And within the Arab societies of the Middle East moderation is, unfortunately, a rare attribute. Arabs are given to outrageous and hubristic outbursts of bellicosity whether levelled toward one another, competing Islamic sects, or infidels. Reasonable discourse appears to be a method of least convenience, not, in any event, "normal" in the sense that the culture is more given over to bombast and tribal-based alliances and allegiances. Outsiders beware.
The State of Israel seeks to find peace with its neighbours, all of its neighbours, but first and foremost the intractable problem of satisfying the just needs of a next-door population whose grievances against Israel are both legitimate and outrageous in their context must be solved. Israel and its people are an anomaly in the Middle East in that they represent a liberal democracy and the social structure and culture is more closely aligned to that of Europe and North America than those of the Middle East.
Even making allowances for the incendiary bellicosity that is Middle-East-normal, it is exceedingly difficult for an enlightened democracy to find middle ground with an hostile population whose avowed aim is total eradication of the stranger within their midst. Yet here is moderate Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas, more familiarly called Abu Mazen, exhorting his people to "raise [your] rifles against the Israeli occupation". This seeker-after-peace and moderate peace bargainer reminds his people that "shooting at your brother is forbidden.
"Raising rifles against the occupation is our legitimate right, but raising guns against each other is forbidden." Where in that responsible statement by a highly respected peace negotiator is there an injunction against violence against a neighbour with whom one is negotiating peace and stability? Moreover, the very rifles to which he refers may be those seven thousand assault rifles along with a million rounds of ammunition released by the U.S. to militias associated with Mr. Abbas's Fatah.
Wait, there's more, much more. Mr. Abbas quoted Koranic verses referring to those very people with whom he is supposed to be deeply and sincerely engaged in diplomatic proposals to advance the cause of peace between Israel and the Palestinians and to ensure in the process a series of agreements which will result in the creation of an independent Palestinian state. Yet, he stated "The sons of Israel are mentioned as those who are corrupting humanity on earth". What kind of agenda does this represent? A friendly overture to a future partner?
The rifles in question were made available to Fatah through the auspices of the United States, and with Israeli co-operation. Mr. Abbas has, after all, often bitterly complained that Israel is not doing enough to assist him in his internecine battles with Hamas and Ismail Haniyeh, the PA's new Prime Minister, both of whom steadfastly refuse to recognize Israel's right of existence. The rifles and ammunition were made available to strengthen Fatah against Hamas factions; both militias engaged in deadly struggles for supremacy.
Yet here we have a Fatah militant from Abbas's special security forces casually mentioning that these very same weapons may also be shared out to other "resistance organizations", such as Fatah-linked Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades terror group and used to "hit the Zionists".
The weapons provided to Fatah for the purpose of dismantling the infrastructure of terrorism and toward the goal of establishing law and order in the West Bank and Gaza, will be turned toward the Israeli "occupiers" should negotiations between Israel and the PA not proceed according to PA expectations. This isn't exactly a new turn of events; before the latest intafada, when Israel was helping to equip the PA police forces and Israeli police were training them, co-operation was the order of the day.
But post-intafada, the previously-established co-operation between colleagues was turned around; the very weapons provided by Israel, along with those whom Israel had helped to train were turned on Israel. The latest U.S. weapons shipments were driven through Israeli checkpoints by convoys protected by the IDF. A security officer with the Palestinian forces said 'some' of the U.S. weapons would be used against Hamas. But, he said, the new U.S. weapons may also be used to target Israelis.
"If Israel will deliver what it promised to Abu Mazen; a withdrawal from Palestinian lands, including east Jerusalem and the Temple Mount, remove all checkpoints in the West Bank, release our prisoners, and find a clear solution for our refugees, we'll control our forces and the distribution of weapons. But if Israel doesn't deliver, and we find ourselves manipulated by Israel, we cannot guarantee members of the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades and Force 17 (the official PA forces) will not use these weapons against Israel."
Does that sound like an entity prepared for negotiations, for give and take, or does it sound more like a virulently aggressive form of blackmail? Mr. Abbas, it would seem, will remain ethically and morally challenged, a peace imposter. I am personally saddened, maddened, outraged, and cheated of hope. What manner of "partner for peace" is this, uttering inflammatory, insultingly deadly harangues?
Proving true to type, a reversion to the ancient tactics of barbaric hyperbole, spouting hatred and distrust, accusations with no foundation, geared to inflame hostilities, not gird for peace. Does this conflicted man truly represent the best and most hopeful bargaining agent for a sincere and lasting peace? This man whose morally repugnant, disastrously disappointing behaviour indicates otherwise...?
Utterly disheartening.
"But if Israel doesn't deliver, and we find ourselves manipulated by Israel, we cannot guarantee members of the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades and Force 17 will not use these weapons against Israel. Our goal is to change the occupation," said Abu Yousuf.
Labels: Middle East
posted by Pieface @ Monday, January 15, 2007
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