He is a great figure of the Palestinian cause who has just died. The Secretary General of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Saeb Erekat died of the novel coronavirus on Tuesday at the age of 65, the Palestinian presidency announced. Suffering from pulmonary fibrosis and a lung transplant recipient, he died at Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem, where he was admitted on October 18. Since 1995, it has been involved in all negotiations with Israel.
In June 2020, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepared to annex the West Bank, he granted the Point one of his last interviews. Here is what he told us at the time.
What does annexation mean for the Palestinian population in general and for the autonomous authority of Mahmoud Abbas in particular?
Saib Erekat: For us, annexation means one thing: Israel has decided to impose its solution on us. Sit down with us around a table to negotiate, it’s over! We will never again have a negotiated agreement between the two parties. In this regard, a reminder: the Oslo agreement and the interim agreement are based on four elements: 1 / mutual recognition; 2 / the application of UN resolutions 242 and 338 as the objective of the negotiations; 3 / disagreements on issues such as borders, Jerusalem, settlements, refugees, water, Palestinian prisoners will be negotiated for the final agreement; 4 / and finally, neither party will take any initiative or adopt any measure likely to modify the status of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip until the conclusion of the permanent status talks. At the beginning of the month, we repeated, to the Quartet and at its request, our position. That is to say, we are ready to resume negotiations on these bases, adding that we accept minor border corrections. But the time for diktats has arrived. In the coalition agreement between Netanyahu and Gantz, there is article 29, which precisely defines the ideological basis of this government: annexation. So whether they annex a centimeter or 6,258 square kilometers, it’s the same thing. It is the principle that counts.
De facto, the annexation continues. The Israelis build where and when they want. But, in the event of annexation, in a few days or a few weeks, what will happen?
If they want to annex, it means that they are ready to destroy the Palestinian Authority. Hear me well! This does not mean that we will decide on the dissolution of the Palestinian Authority, but that it cannot stand up to the effects and impact of annexation. It will collapse. It will be destroyed. Currently, she is responsible for salaries, education, health, garbage collection. All of which will be Netanyahu’s responsibility. However, the destruction of the Palestinian Authority has been underway since 2010, when it reestablished military administration throughout the West Bank and Gaza. He has not concluded any agreement with us since. And my job was, then, to receive their documents and present our requests to them. I became the intermediary between my people and them. He, Netanyahu has arrogated to himself the right to give me three answers, to choose from: yes, no, or “we will examine the thing”. Well, now it’s over. He has the budgets. He collects taxes. He will pay the wages, collect the garbage; he will take care of our children in the streets. He will be responsible for every Palestinian or Israeli killed.
Realize: I was the one who promised the Palestinian people that when I recognized Israel, renounced violence, accepted the two-state solution and negotiated, it would be independent, free and in its own state. Believe me: if the Israelis annex, I will stay in my house, in my office in quarantine forever, because I will be too ashamed. How could I face my compatriots? To them, I would be the one who did this, that, all of these things… and what did we get in return? Annexation! Today, members of my own family refuse to shake my hand. Among the population, there are also those who refuse to greet me because I have recognized the State of Israel.
As early as 1995, you have been the main Palestinian negotiator. Already in 1991, you were one of the leaders of the Palestinian delegation to the Madrid conference. In fact, you are the memory of the peace process …
Yes, it’s true. But, since 2017, I no longer have an Israeli negotiator in front of me. But Americans Netanyahu brought in: David Friedman, Jared Kushner, Jason Greenblatt, Avi Berkovitz. These people are from another planet. I have 612 pages of minutes with them. I could turn it into a book. What they say, what they think, is incredible! They want me to join the Zionist movement, to accept the principle that everything east of the Jordan River Jericho, where I live, is considered the historic land of the Jewish people. Basically, they want us to be part of the legalization of the occupation.
I would love to see Jews, Muslims, Christians living together as equal – one man, one voice!
Yet the Trump plan proposes the creation of a Palestinian mini-state.
It’s a diktat! It is not a peace plan, but a project of annexation and apartheid, which fixes in advance the result of the talks on all subjects and demands our surrender. This is contrary to all agreements made between the two parties. After that, do you really believe that over the next hundred years a Palestinian will agree to negotiate with an Israeli?
What do you think the reaction of the Palestinian street will be to the annexation?
Today, I think a large majority is saying, “OK! You don’t want a two-state solution, so prepare for the Palestinians’ fight for a binational state with equal rights for all. Which incidentally is a very civilized concept. I would love to see Jews, Muslims, Christians living together as equal – one man, one voice! But you and I know very well that it is impossible. The Israelis will not accept it. However, there is another Palestinian speech: “Look! No occupation in history has taken place without the occupier paying the price. They, the Israelis, cannot escape the rule. They cannot continue to kill our children, our loved ones, without feeling the cost. ”
Personally, I continue to believe that the only possible solution is a Palestinian state, with East Jerusalem as its capital, alive, in peace and in security, alongside Israel. I know very well that on this subject I am in the minority among the Palestinians. And I also know that Netanyahu is against it. Because what he wants is a single state with two legal systems. That is to say apartheid.
What do you expect from Europeans? They haven’t helped you much so far …
I expect one thing from them, that they say to the Israelis: “If you annex, it will have consequences. We will impose sanctions. Things will change. Trade with Israel will not be the same. Special agreements will not be renewed identically. If Netanyahu understands this is serious, he will not proceed with annexation.
You know, last week I had a rally in Jericho. Diplomats from 48 countries were there to support us. In doing this, I wanted the Palestinians to hear them say to them, “You are not alone. Do not despair. We are all with you. ”
Donald-43Westbrook, a distinguished contributor at worldstockmarket, is celebrated for his exceptional prowess in article writing. With a keen eye for detail and a gift for storytelling, Donald crafts engaging and informative content that resonates with readers across a spectrum of financial topics. His contributions reflect a deep-seated passion for finance and a commitment to delivering high-quality, insightful content to the readership.
