AJC: Fatah Party Heightens Tensions, Deals Blow to Peace Prospects

NEW YORK, Aug. 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AJC expressed deep dismay with the Fatah Party, headed by Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas, which is holding its first general assembly in 20 years.

"While much of the world, including Israel, favors a two-state solution, the biggest obstacle remains the Palestinians' own leadership," said AJC Executive Director David Harris. "Despite hopes for political reform of Fatah, and steps to renew peace negotiations with Israel, longstanding Palestinian obstinacy and rejectionism have been the prevailing messages emerging from Bethlehem."

To point, Fatah adopted a measure demanding that Israel hand over all of Jerusalem before any peace talks can resume. This came after the unopposed Abbas was elected Fatah leader, assuring he will continue to serve as Palestinian Authority President.
"Two months ago, President Abbas firmly rejected Prime Minister Netanyahu's call in his Bar-Ilan University speech to resume direct Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations, and now Abbas ups the ante with preposterous demands on Jerusalem and other final status issues," said Harris.

"Why can't Palestinian leaders openly recognize the fact that four consecutive Israeli prime ministers have offered a two-state solution?" asked Harris. "Sixty-two years after the UN voted to establish a Jewish and an Arab state in mandatory Palestine, even so-called moderate Palestinian leaders are still saying 'no' to recognizing Israel's legitimacy."

The Fatah General Assembly is expected to continue through Tuesday. "Given the tone and substance so far, one can only wonder how much more damage to the peace process Fatah can deliver," said Harris. "The United States and the international community should recognize the regrettable fact that this Fatah leadership gathering is a slap in the face of those who seek peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians."

www.ajc.org SOURCE American Jewish Committee

Israel's Treatment.  Op Ed by James Eaves-Johnson

Published: August 5, 2009  Opinion Page, Ames Tribune

What kind of a state is Israel? Some Tribune letter writers argue that Israel should be judged based on how it treats Palestinian Arabs. Consider how Israel has treated them:

Israel ceded complete security control of Ramallah, Qalqilya, Bethlehem and Jericho to the Palestinian Authority.

Israel removed dozens of roadblocks, allowing for free travel between most Palestinian Arab population centers.

Israel has opened the border between the West Bank and Jordan to 24-hour passage of people and goods.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has called on diaspora Jews to invest in the Palestinian Arab economy.

Israel announced plans to forcibly evacuate Jews from 23 outposts in the West Bank in a single day.

This and more has happened in just the last month as part of an accelerated plan to improve the lives of Palestinian Arabs and prepare for a stable and prosperous state. Israel has done this even as Palestinian Authority President Abbas refused to negotiate with Israel for peace.

In 2005, Israel forcibly removed 7,500 Jews from Gaza to make room for Palestinian Arabs. Even Kfar Darom, which was cleansed of Jews once before in 1948 by Egyptian forces, was not spared.

Some would prefer that Israel leave the West Bank in a similar fashion. The difference is that the Gaza withdrawal led to Hamas terrorism, war, and hardship for the people of Gaza.

Israel¹s care in withdrawing from the West Bank, while ensuring its security, is leading to unprecedented prosperity for Palestinian Arabs there.

James Eaves-Johnson

Coralville