End of the independent Palestinian state project
Hossam Shaker,
Middle East Monitor, March 22, 2018
They do
not want to recognise the truth. The project of an independent Palestinian
state has ended forever, and any talk about a “Palestinian state” today remains
a dead letter that does not go along with its meaning. This is what the
Americans, Europeans, Israelis and the Palestinian Authority itself know. There
is no possibility for an independent and sovereign state through negotiations
based on the current balances.
not want to recognise the truth. The project of an independent Palestinian
state has ended forever, and any talk about a “Palestinian state” today remains
a dead letter that does not go along with its meaning. This is what the
Americans, Europeans, Israelis and the Palestinian Authority itself know. There
is no possibility for an independent and sovereign state through negotiations
based on the current balances.
 |
|
Demonstrators
shout slogans and hold Palestinian flags during a protest against
the US
President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital,
on 7
December 2017 in Gaza City, Gaza [Mustafa Hassona/Anadolu Agency] |
The
project, which was launched by the International Quartet, the US, Russia, the
European Union and the United Nations during the George W. Bush era, was
concluded with a Road Map for Peace that was supposed to lead to a “viable
Palestinian state living in peace and security along with Israel”, as promised.
Over time, it has become clear that the project was not about an independent
sovereign state, but rather a protectorate curbed with security obligations to
the Israeli occupation and restricted with the conditions of grantors who
control the daily living of Palestinians who would have to bow to external
dictates.
If
established, this “state” will today be a dependable non-independent project
unable to protect its people and will not enjoy geographical contact between
its territories that are fragmented by the occupation. It will be a “state”
subjected to the occupation that dominates it, and it will have to fight month
after month to receive the crumbs the international funders throw in order to
pay the salaries of its employees and security forces.
established, this “state” will today be a dependable non-independent project
unable to protect its people and will not enjoy geographical contact between
its territories that are fragmented by the occupation. It will be a “state”
subjected to the occupation that dominates it, and it will have to fight month
after month to receive the crumbs the international funders throw in order to
pay the salaries of its employees and security forces.
The
expected Palestinian state is basically required to be a security authority to
protect the Israeli occupation from the anger of the Palestinian generations
who aspire to claim their freedom, independence and their right to return to
their land and houses from which they were forcibly displaced. It is obvious
that this authority has so far performed its “duties” best under the pretext of
“security coordination” even during political tensions between Ramallah and the
Netanyahu government.
expected Palestinian state is basically required to be a security authority to
protect the Israeli occupation from the anger of the Palestinian generations
who aspire to claim their freedom, independence and their right to return to
their land and houses from which they were forcibly displaced. It is obvious
that this authority has so far performed its “duties” best under the pretext of
“security coordination” even during political tensions between Ramallah and the
Netanyahu government.
It seems
clear that the Palestinian Authority is in trouble, which explains the current
rigorous tone in its speech, especially with the approach of the infamous Trump
project called the “Deal of the Century.” The fundamental promises it has made
to its people since it was founded in 1994 have not been realised, despite the
slogans it has raised about successive “achievements”. People may have
forgotten that this power was basically just a transitional phase to an
independent state before the end of the last century. However, the temporary
situation has become permanent, and there is no glimmer of light at the end of
the tunnel.
clear that the Palestinian Authority is in trouble, which explains the current
rigorous tone in its speech, especially with the approach of the infamous Trump
project called the “Deal of the Century.” The fundamental promises it has made
to its people since it was founded in 1994 have not been realised, despite the
slogans it has raised about successive “achievements”. People may have
forgotten that this power was basically just a transitional phase to an
independent state before the end of the last century. However, the temporary
situation has become permanent, and there is no glimmer of light at the end of
the tunnel.
To
compensate for this sovereign stalemate, the Authority held on to some formal
independence symbols, such as raising flags and rolling out the red carpet. It
has rather remained a mere self-governance administration under the occupation,
although it has denied this fact. Israeli forces are still storming Palestinian
towns and villages in the West Bank and carrying out daily arrests, expanding
illegal settlement, and controlling Palestinian movement at crossings and
military checkpoints. Several governments have been formed and sovereign
positions have been taken under the Palestinian Authority. However, all of its
officials remain enchained by occupation restrictions. President Mahmoud Abbas
himself has repeatedly stated that he cannot leave his Ramallah headquarters
without Israeli approval. Successive complaints from Palestinian prime
ministers have been raised over the years from being harshly treated by Israeli
soldiers who are the age of their grandchildren. If this is the case with officials
holding VIP cards, what does the suffering of Palestinians who are stuck caught
between walls, military barriers and settlements look like?
compensate for this sovereign stalemate, the Authority held on to some formal
independence symbols, such as raising flags and rolling out the red carpet. It
has rather remained a mere self-governance administration under the occupation,
although it has denied this fact. Israeli forces are still storming Palestinian
towns and villages in the West Bank and carrying out daily arrests, expanding
illegal settlement, and controlling Palestinian movement at crossings and
military checkpoints. Several governments have been formed and sovereign
positions have been taken under the Palestinian Authority. However, all of its
officials remain enchained by occupation restrictions. President Mahmoud Abbas
himself has repeatedly stated that he cannot leave his Ramallah headquarters
without Israeli approval. Successive complaints from Palestinian prime
ministers have been raised over the years from being harshly treated by Israeli
soldiers who are the age of their grandchildren. If this is the case with officials
holding VIP cards, what does the suffering of Palestinians who are stuck caught
between walls, military barriers and settlements look like?
It is not
surprising that prominent Palestinian official Saeb Erekat, who has lived the
negotiations for a quarter of a century, has announced that the real ruler of
Palestine is not Mahmoud Abbas, it is rather the arrogant politician
Avigdor Lieberman, the Israeli defence minister.
surprising that prominent Palestinian official Saeb Erekat, who has lived the
negotiations for a quarter of a century, has announced that the real ruler of
Palestine is not Mahmoud Abbas, it is rather the arrogant politician
Avigdor Lieberman, the Israeli defence minister.
It should
be admitted that any “Palestinian state” that will be declared under this
deplorable reality will not be a truly independent state, even if the
Palestinian leadership will be forced once again to celebrate void achievements
with raising more flags and welcoming delegations who will congratulate it.
be admitted that any “Palestinian state” that will be declared under this
deplorable reality will not be a truly independent state, even if the
Palestinian leadership will be forced once again to celebrate void achievements
with raising more flags and welcoming delegations who will congratulate it.
The fact
is that a difficult stage for the Palestinian people has started since the rule
of Trump, who seems to seek to impose his forced project to end the Palestinian
cause at any price. This time, too, no one has asked the Palestinian people for
their opinion and position on this project; neither the US administration nor
the Israeli government of course, and not even the Palestinian Authority
itself.
is that a difficult stage for the Palestinian people has started since the rule
of Trump, who seems to seek to impose his forced project to end the Palestinian
cause at any price. This time, too, no one has asked the Palestinian people for
their opinion and position on this project; neither the US administration nor
the Israeli government of course, and not even the Palestinian Authority
itself.
The White
House master might not notice that the Palestinian cause did not emerge
yesterday. It is risky that he and his administration assume that the
Palestinian people will bow today and announce the end of history, even if the
Palestinian leadership seems weaker and more helpless than ever before.
House master might not notice that the Palestinian cause did not emerge
yesterday. It is risky that he and his administration assume that the
Palestinian people will bow today and announce the end of history, even if the
Palestinian leadership seems weaker and more helpless than ever before.
