Statement by the MOPIC

The Middle East Peace Process Is At Stake

The unprecedented tight closure of the Gaza strip and the West Bank since the 30th of last July together with the package of measures imposed on the Palestinian people by the Israeli Government have indeed created a feeling of frustration and repugnance among the Palestinians. Such a situation will not only cause harm and damage to the Palestinian economy but will also lead to famine, despair and will shake the very roots of the bases for any possible understanding or coexistence with the Israelis. The Palestinians can sense the great deal of hatred and malice behind such cruel measures.

The Palestinians who have adopted the Peace strategy are not responsible at any rate for the explosions at Mahni Yahuda on the 30th of July. None of the Palestinian political factions has declared its responsibility for that terrorist action. The Palestinians will not ever shoulder the responsibility of safeguarding the Israeli security within Israel. The failure of the Israeli security fore to detect such a terroristic event before it happened or to even identify the identity of the two terrorists should not turn into a Palestinian unforgivable sin for which a collective Punishment is imposed on the innocent Palestinian masses.

The closure of towns and villages and the entrances to Jordan and Egypt since the 30th of July has very negative and serious impact on the Palestinian people in all walks of life. It is meant to embarrass the PNA or to weaken it in the eyes of people. It is intended to oblige the PNA to give up some of its legal claims. While the Ultimate aim is to induce an abortion to the Oslo Peace Accords. The Israeli government is doing its best to murder the peace process. Peace cannot survive and achieve progress while Israel is building up new settlements and expanding the existing ones. Peace will not materialize as long as hundreds of Palestinian detainees are still in Israeli jails. Peace will not move one step forward as long as the Israeli government is reluctant to continue the negotiations with the Palestinians on the major issues which form the bulk of the peace process. It is evident that Mr. Nettanyaho is very fluent in talking about peace but he is not willing to take any single action which will serve the cause of peace in the area. Practically, he is not contented with the Oslo agreements as they do not meet the level of his ambitious and aspirations.

while on the other hand the PNA has exhausted all the avenues to move the Peace process forward. No efforts have been spared for the promotion of peace which is an ultimate goal for the Palestinians who have suffered for long years the cruel practices of occupation. Since 1967 the Palestinians had been exposed to inhumane measures such as deportation, blowing up of houses, administrative detention, land confiscation, curfews and others. Their basic rights had never been considered by the Israeli occupation. Now, the Palestinians are longing to live in tranquillity and peace. They want to build up their State and to taste the bliss of sovereignty. This is a hope and a target as much as it is in our eyes and thoughts an inevitable end, that Mr. Nettanyaho will not be able to erase from our hearts and thoughts.

However, it should be emphasized that arrogance and tyranny will not lead to peace and progress. This policy will only Amass anger, hatred and will destroy the bridges of understanding. It will widen the gap between the two neighbours and will pave the way for violence, bloodshed and destruction. This is an open call for all the peace loving nations, Human Rights Organizations, for all the thoughtful full leaders in the world to immediately interfere to urge the Israeli government put an end to this collective punishment imposed on the Palestinians and to make any possible effort to save the peace process in the middle East.

One last thought to explicitly express in this paper is the fact that the last few days have proved the increasing volume of support to the Palestinian leader, President Arafat and the minimization of conflicts among the Palestinian political factions.