How can we Arabs expect the world to respect the Palestine Authority if the Authority’s head is too weak to sack a director of the security department? How can President Yasser Arafat make Israelis listen to his demand to stop killing civilians if he is not even capable of changing an official serving under him? How do we explain to the world the demonstrations of 600 policemen against the dismissal of their superior officer? Where on earth can we see policemen demonstrating against their government because they believe that the president of their government has no right to dismiss the security chief?
The Palestinian Authority is an authority with no authority, a government with no governing. Arafat is a president without the power of a president. The West and the United States demand a great deal from Arafat but give only a trifle in return. Israel demands that he enforce security while it bombs his police headquarters and takes the policemen prisoners.
The president himself cannot enforce discipline among his own policemen. Col. Sabri Al-Tomairy, a police commander said he had to deal with 600 policemen who would not cooperate with the new security chief appointed by Arafat.
Arafat has reportedly agreed to meet with six leaders of those who are flouting his orders. This is the worst that can happen. If this is the state of the police force which is responsible for maintaining law and order, then what reforms can Arafat possibly carry out? And how can he change corrupt officials who maintain questionable connections with some powerful people in the Authority? Will his move to reform lead to internal fighting while the Authority faces serious external threats?
Palestinians, and we with them of course, differ with Bush’s estimation of the PA and Arafat. Unfortunately, the Palestinian officials and some leaders are playing into the hands of their enemies by their foolish conduct. The police by their immature and unreasonable methods are providing evidence to the enemy’s accusations against the PA and Arafat. The demonstration, which undermines the credibility of the PA, is also the strongest evidence of the nature of issues facing both the Palestinian leadership and establishment. At this critical juncture we appeal to Palestinian leaders not to exploit their unsteady entity and people only to serve their personal interests.
Published 14 July 2002
