Betrayal

There is an old Arab verse that says (in effect): ‘The oppression inflicted on me by my relatives is more painful than to be fiercely stabbed by my enemy.’

Tzipi Livni, chief Israeli negotiator, and Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas

(LONDON) - The last 48 hours were the most grim, the most bitter of my entire life. I could never have imagined in my darkest hour of despair that my own people would sell us and our just cause down the drain for the sake of convenience and pragmatism. Yet sell us they did, and very cheaply.

I spent a lifetime trying to walk the tightrope between believing in our Cause, believing in my nation and trying very hard to hold onto my faith. Yet, we all have been tested, tried and punished at every corner. Not by Israel, not by western powers but by the people we thought were our own.

The pronouncements of some of the PLO executive committee over the last two days have shaken my soul to its very core and I firmly believe that unless and until we, the Palestinian Nation, wrench our Cause from their sullied hands all is lost.

Nabil Amr

The first inkling of this betrayal was when Mrs. Tzipi Livni, chief Israeli negotiator hinted to a colleague that he could be in for a surprise. Mr. Mahmoud Abbas could be susceptible to recognizing Israel as ‘the Jewish state’. Then the bombshell and the after-shock came when it was officially reported that PLO spokesperson, Mr. Nabil Amro announced that there is a possibility that the Palestinian leadership could recognize Israel as a Jewish state.

The whole betrayal started when Abu Mazen gave up his own right of return some time ago. Of course he is free to give away his inheritance if he wishes. What he is not free to do is give away the rights of millions of other Palestinians without so much as a ‘by your leave’.

There are over 6 million Palestinian refugees scattered around the world. Despite the majority of them living under the most squalid and inhumane conditions known to man they have held on, not only to the keys to their properties, but to their dream of one day setting foot on the soil of the land of their birth. Nobody is entitled to squander their rights and crush their dreams and aspirations. Yet, Abu Mazen and various members of the PLO executive committee appear hell bent in doing so.

Surely Abu Mazen realises that by simply saying to the Israeli students visiting him in Ramallah, “we are not going to ‘drown’ Israel with refugees” he is giving away our right of return enshrined in article 11, UN resolution 194? And for what? To appear nice and accommodating?

And what will become of the 1.5 million Palestinians who remained in Palestine since 1948 when you accept Israel as a “Jewish State’?

Ironically, this has come at the time when the BDS – the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement– is gaining momentum. The Israelis are shaking in their boots and calling upon their tried and trusted alliances to pass draconian laws in their respective countries to stop the surge of the boycott movement. If there is ever a right time to capitulate, is this it?

Pray tell me, Abu Mazen, after 66 years of exile, humiliation and living in squalor where or how do you see the end of this suffering, if not allowing our people to go back to their original homes in the land of their birth?

Now contrast what Abu Mazen has said with what Hanan Ashrawi, another executive member of the PLO told a visiting delegation from the J-Street organization, an American Jewish Zionist pro- Israeli lobby on Thursday. She said that, “any successful peace agreement must include a "just solution" to the Palestinian refugee question based on UN resolution 194”.

On the same day, Nabil Sha’ath, central committee member of the PLO, revealed that he had met secretly with European leaders and told them that President Abbas stands firmly against attempts ‘to impose Israeli demographic and ideological hegemony on the Palestinian territories’. Whatever that means.

And speaking of ‘secretly’ I believe that there is something sinister afoot.

The operative word in this article is the PLO – the Palestine Liberation Organisation. The PLO was selected by the Arab League at a summit conference in Rabat in 1974 as the sole representative of the Palestinian people. This collective of despots, vagabonds and chancers reached this momentous decision on behalf of the Palestinian people without asking us, the people concerned and affected, one simple question. ‘What do you think?’

There is an old Arab verse that says (in effect): ‘The oppression inflicted on me by my relatives is more painful than to be fiercely stabbed by my enemy.’

They all continue to oppress us and they all continue to stab us through the heart when they stab us in the back.

When you look at the entire picture of Palestine since the re-start of this shambolic peace process you will find out that at every corner the Palestinian people and their just Cause have been betrayed. By Israel, which is understandable; by the so-called honest brokers in America, by the Arab states, by Europe and the western countries and now, the ultimate betrayal of the so-called leaders and representatives.

Mr. Kerry has been traveling all over the Middle East to demand of the Arab states that they apply whatever leverage they have to pressurize the PLO into yet more compromises and capitulation. During his latest tour last week, which finished in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Mr. Abbas was summoned for a meeting in Paris which culminated in the pronouncement of Mr. Nabil Amro that the PLO might accept to recognize Israel as ‘the Jewish State’.

My compatriots, yesterday in a fit of anger and despair I posted on my Face book:

• TO ALL PALESTINIANS WITH SOME HONOUR LEFT.
  
  I hate to be the one to say I told you so, but it has to be said.
  
  As you may recall in my latest article 'Kingdom of David' I said that the chief Israeli negotiator Mrs. Tzipi Livni hinted that Mr. Mahmoud Abbas the head of the PA, might be susceptible to the idea of recognizing Israel as a 'Jewish State' and I warned of the ramifications of such a move.
  
  Now read the article below and see what is the costly price of apathy, non-engagement and sitting on the fence.
  
  We allowed them (PA+PLO) to play havoc with our cause and fritter away our lands and our rights. I have been calling upon you to start a referendum amongst all Palestinians in vain.
  
  I hope that you're not surprised that this is finally happening. Palestinians everywhere are guilty as any other in the PA or the PLO who collaborated with our enemies and sacrificed Palestine in the name pragmatism.
  
  As the old saying goes " As you are you'll be governed". Your silence is tantamount to treason. Shame on you.

Please forgive me if I was too harsh on you. I never would have done this lightly. It was to focus your attention on the gravity of our situation and on what is being done by the PLO in your name and on your behalf, without even the courtesy of a consultation. It pains me to add to your woes by being critical. But believe me, the stakes could not be any higher. Those who are holding the cards cannot be more compromised and the enemy, which is devouring your land and your dreams piece by piece, cannot be more avaricious.