Foreign ministers from around 30 countries met in Paris last Friday to address the stalled peace process between the Palestinians and Israelis. In a statement issued later the ministers urged both the Palestinians and Israelis to demonstrate “with policies and actions, a genuine commitment to the two-state solution in order to rebuild trust.” Apart from suggesting holding an international conference by the end of the year, it is difficult to point out to a single achievement.
As the prospects for success is far from certain, the Palestinians would do themselves a huge favor if they cast aside their differences. Palestinian leaders’ passion for new ideas is evident, but they need to change their attitude toward each other. The rift between Hamas and Fatah may have outlived its usefulness and the hurting disunity can no longer be ignored.
To be sure, politicians have no stomach for anything but self-preservation. This may explain part of the failure of the Palestinians in putting their house in order. Unfortunately, both factions — Hamas and Fatah — seem to be satisfied with the current divisions among the Palestinians. It is as if there is no Israeli occupation that must come to an end.
Israel is not oblivious to the Palestinian intra-fighting. Moreover, it fuels the ongoing struggle over power among Palestinian factions. As the regional developments deteriorate, all Israel can do is to maintain the status quo while changing facts on the ground. Take for instance Israel’s position vis-à-vis the French initiative. The government turned down characterizing it as undermining the prospects for direct talks with the Palestinians. The Likud-led governments have been using the same tactics over and over again to buy time. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas’ policy of conforming to Israeli conditions with regard to Hamas has yielded nothing to speak about. Unfortunately, he remains unfazed!
Two developments took place over the last week or so that should ring alarm bells in Palestine. First, Avigdor Lieberman, the most hawkish of all Israeli politicians, became the defense minister. His anti- Palestinian sentiments are too obvious to be concealed. He would not accept any solution that entails territorial compromise. His new position will for sure enable him to torpedo any serious peace process. Second, Netanyahu just refused the French initiative. Is this surprising? Hardly! The man has been faithful to his conviction with regard to the Palestinians. Put simply, his record shows beyond doubt that this man will offer the Palestinians little.
Observers and students of the Arab-Israeli conflict may ponder as what accounts for the ongoing acrimonious relationship between Fatah and Hamas. Average Palestinians know that the struggle is for power rather than liberating the occupied lands. Thus far, they have not been successful in agreeing on one national strategy under which all factions can compete. It may take a generation or two, but one day Palestinians will look back at their policies and realize that part of their predicament was self-made.
Of course, there is no shortage of ideas over how to proceed with the Palestinian unity. However, it takes leadership and independent will to make a difference. It is in the best interest of Israel to keep the Palestinians fragmented. A divided Palestinian polity could better serve Israel’s interests. Therefore, if Abbas continues with his current conformity to Israel, his legacy will be one of a failure. By the same token, if Hamas continues with its current policy of entrenching itself in Gaza at the expense of national reconciliation, it also will achieve little.
As the prospects for success is far from certain, the Palestinians would do themselves a huge favor if they cast aside their differences. Palestinian leaders’ passion for new ideas is evident, but they need to change their attitude toward each other. The rift between Hamas and Fatah may have outlived its usefulness and the hurting disunity can no longer be ignored.
To be sure, politicians have no stomach for anything but self-preservation. This may explain part of the failure of the Palestinians in putting their house in order. Unfortunately, both factions — Hamas and Fatah — seem to be satisfied with the current divisions among the Palestinians. It is as if there is no Israeli occupation that must come to an end.
Israel is not oblivious to the Palestinian intra-fighting. Moreover, it fuels the ongoing struggle over power among Palestinian factions. As the regional developments deteriorate, all Israel can do is to maintain the status quo while changing facts on the ground. Take for instance Israel’s position vis-à-vis the French initiative. The government turned down characterizing it as undermining the prospects for direct talks with the Palestinians. The Likud-led governments have been using the same tactics over and over again to buy time. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas’ policy of conforming to Israeli conditions with regard to Hamas has yielded nothing to speak about. Unfortunately, he remains unfazed!
Two developments took place over the last week or so that should ring alarm bells in Palestine. First, Avigdor Lieberman, the most hawkish of all Israeli politicians, became the defense minister. His anti- Palestinian sentiments are too obvious to be concealed. He would not accept any solution that entails territorial compromise. His new position will for sure enable him to torpedo any serious peace process. Second, Netanyahu just refused the French initiative. Is this surprising? Hardly! The man has been faithful to his conviction with regard to the Palestinians. Put simply, his record shows beyond doubt that this man will offer the Palestinians little.
Observers and students of the Arab-Israeli conflict may ponder as what accounts for the ongoing acrimonious relationship between Fatah and Hamas. Average Palestinians know that the struggle is for power rather than liberating the occupied lands. Thus far, they have not been successful in agreeing on one national strategy under which all factions can compete. It may take a generation or two, but one day Palestinians will look back at their policies and realize that part of their predicament was self-made.
Of course, there is no shortage of ideas over how to proceed with the Palestinian unity. However, it takes leadership and independent will to make a difference. It is in the best interest of Israel to keep the Palestinians fragmented. A divided Palestinian polity could better serve Israel’s interests. Therefore, if Abbas continues with his current conformity to Israel, his legacy will be one of a failure. By the same token, if Hamas continues with its current policy of entrenching itself in Gaza at the expense of national reconciliation, it also will achieve little.
