MIFTAH
Friday, 29 March. 2024
 
Your Key to Palestine
The Palestinian Initiatives for The Promotoion of Global Dialogue and Democracy
 
 
 

The Israeli cabinet gave a green light to expel the elected President and historical leader of the Palestinian people, Yasser Arafat (Abu Amar). The extreme Israeli right-wing government headed by Ariel Sharon took the decision. With eight votes in favor and three in opposition, two of the opposing votes were from Israeli ministers preferring to have Arafat killed; the expulsion of Abu Amar has now become Israeli policy.

This irresponsible and provocative decision by Israel has proven to be the silliest and most ill-thought decision taken in recent history. The Israelis were forced to automatically defend their position by saying “this is a decision in ‘principle’ to expel Arafat.” Further embarrassment came when the Israeli Prime Minister ordered the army to draw a plan for Arafat’s expulsion, despite there being several plans drafted over the last two years.

The reality of the Israeli cabinet is terrifying, as Sharon has become the most moderate figure in the Israeli government. Sharon, who has opposed every peace agreement ever signed, including the 1979 peace treaty with the Egyptians, has been long known to the locals and internationals as the true obstacle to peace. Responsible for war-crimes, massacres and settlement building on stolen Palestinian hilltops in the West Bank and Gaza, Sharon has always opposed peace efforts calling the late Rabin, Arafat’s partner in peace, a traitor, indirectly leading to his murder. Moreover, Sharon is responsible for the construction of the separation wall, which would effectively set up de facto borders and confiscate some of the most fertile Palestinian land, symbolising another barrier to peace.

As soon as the decision was announced Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza spontaneously took to the streets, for even though some might have problems with the way Arafat runs the country, no one can deny his history of service and loyalty to the Palestinian cause and people. Protesting against the Israeli cabinet’s provocative decision with banners reading “Arafat is a red line; hands off Arafat,” thousands marched to the Presidential headquarters in Ramallah. There the President addressed the masses calling for national unity and stating that “no one can kick me out.” When supporters chanted that they would sacrifice their blood and souls for him, he echoed their words but substituted "Palestine" for his name.

The decision has been condemned by all Arab nations. World condemnation soon followed: "Such a step would remove the possibility of peacefully resolving the Israeli-Palestinian crisis and would lead to an uncontrollable chain of events in the worst case scenario," said a statement issued by Russia's foreign ministry. "Yasser Arafat is the legitimate authority [of Palestinian politics]. I think, and I believe the European Union also considers that it would be a serious mistake to try to eliminate him from the political arena," said French President Chirac. A spokesman for the UK's Foreign Office said, "Yasser Arafat remains the elected president of the Palestinian Authority.” “Israel will turn Arafat into a martyr if it carries out its threat,” Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said on Friday, while Canada said that the move could destabilize peace efforts.

It is appeasement of such a right-wing Israeli government that has gotten us to this low point in which a so-called democratic state even dares to take such a decision against an elected leader in violation of human rights and democratic values. “He is part of the problem” the Americans agree, putting aside their civil rights and values. It seems they are oblivious to the fact that when Arafat was in Washington signing a peace agreement, Sharon was busy mobilizing extremists to oppose any peaceful move as well as criticizing the US along with Arafat’s dead partner in peace Rabin.

As history has taught us, appeasement is encouragement of racism and terrorism. The longer countries turn a blind eye to extremist governments the more difficult it will be to skew them back and have them adhere to global ideals of equality, justice and freedom. It is appeasement that deemed Arafat, the elected leader, as irrelevant and such actions have made Palestinians rally behind him combating the voices of oppression and occupation.

Last night Abu Amar was in his element. Looking twenty years younger, smiling, waving and chanting with the masses, his popularity seemed to have only increased. The Israeli decision is already backfiring for everyone knows what happens when one cries wolf too many times.

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Date/Time: 03/29/24 05:23:47
Browser: claudebot
Remote Address: 44.192.73.68
Query String: DocId=2403&CategoryId=3