generalspeaking

Honour And Duty

Isn't it a good thing that the State of Israel has the Palestinian Authority with whom to bargain for peace. Otherwise, heaven forfend, it might be reaching about in the dark searching for an entity to fairly and justly represent the genuine needs and aspirations of the Palestinian people. Isn't it disappointing to discover that the genuine needs and aspirations of the Palestinian people are being represented by the Palestinian Authority, as being exclusive of the existence of Israel in the Middle East?

The Fatah-led and -administered Palestinian Authority claims to recognize Israel's existence as a reality in fact, but not necessarily its existence in reality as a Jewish state. And this is an oft-stated fact. This semi-recognition is sufficient however, for the international community to feel mollified about the status of the situation vis-a-vis the two solitudes, giving them ample cover to continue supporting the PA. The international community is singularly disinterested in details, they are quite simply annoying.

As, for example, that the PA actively conspires with its various Fatah cells to encourage ongoing and continued 'resistance' to the 'occupiers'. The 'occupiers' occupied with the proven need to defend their citizens' life-and-limb against the 'resistance' efforts to murder as many Israeli civilians as possible to ensure that their underlying message is well understood. There not by choice but through a need to defend sovereign borders and lives.

Palestinian children in grade school are scrupulously taught to abhor their 'occupiers', taught to believe their long-range aspirations are to murder Palestinian children, to ensure that they will never acquire national status of their own, and that it is incumbent on brave and loyal children to grow into the mantle of courageous and honour-loving suicide bombers in the sacred name of heritage, culture, tribal vengeance.

Now comes the proud announcement from PA Minister of Prisoner Affairs, Issa Qaraqi that a hundred streets in PA-controlled cities are to honour the names of Palestinian martyrs, who were once children taught to hate and to destroy and to wreak vengeance on Jewish upstarts. Those Palestinians who succeeded in defying death while still managing to murder Israelis will also be honoured by having streets named after them. Major ceremonies to mark these commemorative events are to take place shortly.

"This is the legitimate right of the Palestinians" said Minister Qaraqi. "We have the honour and duty to honour our prisoners in recognition of their sacrifices and steadfastness in Israeli prisons." This is the official Fatah-administered Palestinian Authority talking. Israel's partner in peace talks that are to lead to the establishment of a Palestinian state next door to Israel.

This is the international agenda, however; that of the PA is somewhat different. Theirs is to establish one Palestinian state where none existed previously, encompassing the West Bank, Gaza and Israel.

Preparatory to holding the first general assembly of Fatah in decades, two senior members of Fatah, close associates of PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas affirm that Fatah has no intention - ever, of recognizing "Israel's right to exist". This, according to senior Fatah member Rafik Natsheh is the truth, and what is reported in the media is 'nonsense'.

Furthermore, he was at pains to explain, the PA 'recognizes' Israel because it must be seen to do so, in its service to the Palestinian people. Fatah, according to Natsheh and another senior Fatah member, Azzam el-Ahmed, will never abandon its call to wage war on Israel, never give up its armed struggle. "Let those who are deluding themselves hear: this will never happen."

There may be many Palestinians who fervently hope for peace, and who wish for the opportunity to live in a state of their own, alongside that of Israel. For that matter there are many Israeli Palestinians who are anxious to see a Palestinian state established alongside that of the Jewish state which has given them citizenship. Should that ever occur, however, they have no intention of leaving to reside in the new Palestinian state, to surrender opportunities open to them in Israel.

Israelis too, sick and tired of incessant violence directed against them, necessitating that their armed forces react, forcing them to do unto others what they wish were not done to them, hope that this may come to pass. Hoping, they understand, will not make it so. They understand full well how difficult it is to battle demons, the anguish of forced and optioned removal that will not die.

It is not permitted to fade into history. It is deliberately nourished as a raw wound, a reminder and a spur to rebel and incite to violence.

It is little wonder, then that in a recent telephone poll of a representative sampling of Israeli Jews, the belief, by a 62-27 margin is that PA leader Mahmoud Abbas intends to replace Israel, not merely establish a side-by-side state, the public line offered to assuage any potential suspicions of the international community.

A majority percentage of 58 believes that any successor to Mr. Abbas would reflect the current thinking of the PA.

And finally, when asked which solution would better represent Israel's interests, a sovereign Palestinian State or an autonomous Palestinian area obliging Palestinians to control their own fortunes and pursue a path leading to economic, social and political stability and growth, while having the borders and airspace under Israeli control, 70% of respondents chose the autonomous route.

Trust there is none. And little wonder, given past expeditions by suicide bombers into Israel which succeeded in obligating Israel to build a physical barrier to protect its people. Despite which, and inclusive of the unilateral evacuation of Gaza, Palestinians made no effort to help themselves to become a responsible civil state-in-waiting.

Instead belligerence and dedication to ongoing assaults from dedicated terrorists allied with Fatah and Hamas pave the way for ongoing low-grade warfare. In the service of peace, needless to say.

Labels: Israel, Political Realities, Traditions, Troublespots

posted by Pieface @ Sunday, July 26, 2009