Why the Palestians won't negotiate with Israel....
Once again, Khaled Abu Toameh shows why he is one of the best Palestinian journalists....
The leaders of the Palestinian Authority have reached the conclusion that, under the current circumstances, it would be a waste of time to return to the negotiating table with Israel. They are convinced that the only way to get anything is by rallying pressure from the international community against Israel.
It is for this reason that representatives of the Palestinians have been negotiating with the Europeans and Americans about the peace process -- not with Israel.
The Palestinian leadership in Ramallah is negotiating about the peace process, but with the foreign ministers of France, Sweden, Norway, Germany and the UK and not with Israel. Almost every step this leadership takes is fully coordinated in advance with Western diplomats and their governments.
They believe that at present Israel is more isolated than ever in the international arena, particularly in light of the UN’s Gaza War report, the “Goldstone Report.”
The Palestinian leadership has chosen to confront Israel in the international arena, and not at the negotiating table. Abbas’s strategy is to further isolate Israel in the world through boycotts and anti-Israel resolutions at the UN and other international forums.
They see growing support for Palestinians in many European capitals, and are convinced that this will eventually be translated into heavy pressure on Israel.
This is why he is prepared to wait and wait. He believes that the longer he waits, the more Israel will come under pressure.
Palestinian leaders see that the UN and almost all European governments have entirely endorsed the Palestinian narrative in the Israeli-Arab conflict Palestinian, namely that Israel must withdraw to the pre-1967 borders, including half of Jerusalem, and allow the establishment of a Fatah-controlled state in these territories.
They see increased anti-Israel sentiments in the West and are encouraged that Israel will not be able to tolerate hostility, isolation and boycott for a long time.
Abbas believes that the international community is negotiating with Israel on behalf of the Palestinians. He is fully convinced that only increased pressure on Israel, and not negotiations, will bring about a full withdrawal to the pre-1967 borders.
And since the whole world, with the possible exception of the US Administration, “is on our side,” why bother return to the negotiating table with Israel?
posted by GayandRight @ 11:10 AM
7 Comments:
That's the sea change he is talking about i mentioned to you a while back.
First, I will will you a Happy New Year, Fred.
Next, I think Abbas is thinking brilliantly. I can't say if I will agree or disagree from my perspective. If I were in his shoes, I would be doing the same. It's a good strategy.
Abbas can't negotiate with Israel directly (unless there an intermediary in the room). That would be tantamount to recognizing the state of Israel. Instead, by speaking to the Europeans and suggesting a boycott of Israel, he knows that this might put economic pressure on Israel.
From my Canadian point of view, A Canadian consumer boycott would have a very limited effect on Israel. Personally, I could boycott travel to Israel. However, I would be unlikely to go in the first place. It is far from Canada. I have many other places in the world to choose like the US, Caribbean, and Europe. Also, I can't remember the last time I bought an Israeli product. Yes, one of my supermarkets has a Kosher section. I don't buy these products because they are usually more expensive than other food products (labelled Kosher or not).
The Europeans have a much greater influence on Israel than Canada does. They can easily travel to Israel and purchase products from there. A boycott by Europeans would affect Israel strongly. Also, there is a large population of Muslims and Arabs in Europe. Some have recently moved to Europe while others have had families there for a generation or two. Even though they may be Muslim or Arabs or both, most dress and sound like different Europeans. By dressing and sounding like their fellow Europeans, they can speak to their fellow Europeans about matters in the Middle East. They can speak to them about boycotting Israeli products and travel. Unfortunately, the Jewish communities in Europe are very small. Their political and social influences are also small. This is a demographic situation that may affect Canada ten or twenty years from now.
Love or hate Abbas's strategy, it's one that I think may work in the long run.
There was a report some time this year that quoted an Israeli export/import official as saying that the boycotting of Israeli goods has cost it 5% of GDP. It is having an affect and will continue to have one as the boycott grows.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/israel/6921510/Israels-Netanyahu-proposes-Egypt-peace-summit-with-Palestinians.html
Netanyahu wants to negotiate with the Palestinians in Egypt.
As I mentioned yesterday, I think Abbas would prefer to negotiate in Europe or at least in Egypt with European mediators.
Lucy: I'd ask you for the source of your statement, but why bother? You won't be able to....
I linked to it from my blog when i wrote about it at the time so would take me all of 10 seconds to copy and paste it from there to here.
Ask me Fred and i will once again provide a link that you can go and look at yourself although i will expect an apology and a signed photo from the guy who played the mountie in Due South. Loved that show.
Maybe that's why
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mQAp1OjJcE
or
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wv0giW1elo
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