• Official Fatah Website: No Compromise
• What Econmic Aid Does Israel Continue to Provide the Palestinian Authority?
• The Erev Christmas Coup in Israel: When the Israel Foreign Minisry Declared Independence From the Government of Israel by David Bedein

Towards a Comprehensive National Dialogue

It was natural for the PNA and its security apparatus, all the non-government organizations, and the national and Islamic forces to confront the 100-day security program that Sharon announced after he came to power. The Israeli prime minister received the necessary green light from US president George Bush who preferred not to deal with the Middle East most important issue. Sharon's destructive program, however, failed due to the Palestinian resistance.

Sharon's failure to acknowledge the need for a political program that puts an end to the conflict made him act upon one of his old doctrines: if power fails to solve an issue, further power can be applied. His troops carried out more assassinations and tightened the siege around our cities and villages. The international community supported the Palestinian position and condemned Sharon's acts of aggression.

The dolphinarium retaliatory operation that came after Israel assassinated some Hamas leaders changed the situation. The US Administration feared that Sharon would destroy the PNA, and more than forty world leaders suggested that President Arafat declare a ceasefire. President Arafat agreed and, consequently, approved Tenet's paper.

Sharon thought that the September 11th events in New York and Washington backed his position. He likened President Arafat to bin Ladin and the PNA to Taliban. His attempt to use the new developments for his own sake failed when President Bush rejected his comparison. Sharon who grew more impatient made his second comparison; he compared Israel to Czechoslovakia and President Bush to Chamberlain. And he apologized more than once.

The quick victory of the US against Taliban made the US Administration feel that it can dispense with the Arab and Muslim support it initially sought before its war in Afghanistan. It no longer hides its future agenda. US officials talk in public of their plans to attack certain Arab targets. However, the US position concerning the Arab Israeli conflict drastically changed in the aftermath of the repeated explosions in Jerusalem and Haifa.

As a result, relentless pressure was exerted on the Palestinian leadership to take action against those who carried out the suicide attacks. Even the European position could not stand against Sharon's dictates. These dictates go against the supreme interests of the Palestinian people and are not in line with the principles of democracy and political pluralism that the Independence Declaration guaranteed.

It seems that this critical stage requires all Palestinian forces - the PNA, national and Islamic forces, and institutions that make up the civil society- should start a national dialogue to determine a well-defined strategy to help us restore the full support of the international community for our rights. At the top of these is our right to establish a sovereign state with Jerusalem as its capital.

The strategy required should be based on the following:

1. A Unified Goal

It is necessary to determine the current goal, the interim goal and the strategic one. On the basis of these goals, one can decide the right steps in our struggle to achieve them. A time schedule is also necessary to achieve the specified goal within a specified period of time.

In all cases, reference should be made to the following principles that cannot be violated since they are based on national consensus:

1. Ending the Israeli occupation in the 1967-occupied areas including Jerusalem.

2. Removing Israeli settlements since they are illegal and constitute an obstacle to peace.

3. Maintaining the right of return to the refugees who were driven out of their lands, in accordance with UN Resolution 194.

4. Preserving our right to self-determination and the establishment of a sovereign state with Jerusalem as its capital.

Also, it is not allowed to stop the Intifada in return for an Israeli withdrawal from the land it occupied in Area (A) or in return for maintaining the pre-September 28th status. The Intifada is not a tool for returning to the negotiating table; it should accompany any future negotiations to enhance the position of the Palestinian negotiators and to guarantee a better performance on their part.

2. Unified Ranks

Democracy, political pluralism, and the sovereignty of law characterize the Palestinian society. The supreme national interest as decided by the immediate and strategic goals remains the basic indicator of the nature of any constructive and creative national dialogue. Such a dialogue should be based on the principle of enhancing collective work away from individual or factional interests and tendencies taking into account the right of every faction or organization to maintain its own strategic program.

Adhering to the struggle strategy as specified by the political program of the national and Islamic forces governs the performance of any individual faction and makes it give priority to the collective goal at the expense of any individual goals that it may have.

Adherence to the collective goal will also enhance the role of the PNA in its confrontation and brings its political discourse much closer to the political program of the national and Islamic forces.

3. Unified Performance

Unified goals behind unified ranks will lessen the differences and theoretical contradictions that exist among the different factions. The clarity provided in specifying an immediate goal will help an individual faction to achieve that goal even when it is not directly related to its own strategy.

We are in the habit of closing our ranks when we sense a possible danger at least in the short run, but we are likely to differ when political results are to be reaped.

The current critical stage we are passing through necessitates the opening of a comprehensive national dialogue to find a way out of the various current and interim goals. The resulting disunity serves only the interests of the murderer Sharon who is using some of our controversial practices. Not only do these practices contravene with international standards, but also they are not in line with our own religious heritage. This is despite the fact that Sharon has committed very outrageous acts in order to elicit similar revenge acts that the international community considers unlawful. And, in this regard, he succeeded.

Not only do the national and Islamic forces have to act in accordance with the principles of national unity, but also the PNA has to act similarly. It has to provide security, maintain the sovereignty of law, and fortify our home front. In addition, the PNA has to adopt a dialogue policy to keep a better political understanding with the national and Islamic forces whose members comprise the PNA itself.

Political detention should not be allowed on the basis of political opinions or the implementation of a legitimate struggle activity. The distinction between the general freedoms and the sovereignty of law ought to be made clear. Punishment becomes necessary only when a law is violated.

We are at a crossroads, and we need to be cautious and wise. Sharon's dictates aim to undermine our cause and turn our legitimate struggle into an internal fight that disqualifies us as a people that seeks self-determination and an independent state. We should not give the Zionist movement the opportunity to prove one of its fallacies that it occupied a land without a people. It is the fallacy that explains their daily practices when they uproot our trees, demolish our homes and humiliate us at their checkup points.

At the same time, we have to keep the Intifada and adhere to our inalienable rights: the establishment of an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital and preserve the right of the refugees to return to their homes.

Revolution until victory.

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Thursday, December 20, 2001

Employment In Israel

- 5,800 Palestinian workers are permitted to work in Israel.

- Female Palestinian workers from the age of 25 and up are permitted to work in Israel without restrictions on the number of workers allowed into Israel.

- Work permits were manufactured for Palestinian workers to work in the industrial area of the West Bank and the Israeli communities there.

- Erez industrial area is always active, and is a source of livelihood for about 4,500 Palestinians every day, despite the fact that terrorists continually attempt to target the entrance to the industrial area, firing mortar shells during working hours.

- In addition, 6,000 workers are employed in the Israeli industrial areas in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

- Making the job circle bigger by lowering criteria.

- Israel is examining the option of allowing workers to stay over night in Israel - depending of course on the workplace, the employer and the current state.

Industrial Regions

- Israel is looking at the option of making a safety-mantle with the Palestinians, which will allow the entrance of Israelis and Palestinians into the Industrial Regions. It was agreed that Karni will be the pilot for the rest of the industrial regions. Actions being taken right now:

- The removal of restrictions on imports and exports of merchandise and raw material to or from Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

- Karni Crossing: An average of 600 trucks carrying exports and imports are allowed through daily.

- Sufa Crossing: An average of about 80 trucks go through daily.

- New Allenby Bridge: Permits a higher level of economic activity between Jordan and the Palestinian Authority.

- Merchants and Buisnessmen: 5,000 Palestinian merchants and businessmen have permits to enter Israel.

- Israel is testing whether or not to give the Palestinians a security package which would allow free passage by Israelis and Palestinians into Industrial areas.

Agriculture

- Israel has initiated the formation of joint committees locally to cooperate in bringing about agricultural progression.

- During March of this year, as part of a veterinary cooperation program between the two peoples Israel sent 200,000 vaccinations against the "Foot and Mouth" disease to the West Bank, where Palestinians claimed had spread. In addition, Israel has approved passes from the West Bank to Israel for veterinary visits.

Israel broadened the fishing area to 12 miles, even though there is a great risk of weapon smuggling via sea. This makes it possible for tens of thousands of Palestinians to earn a living.

Infrastructure

- Israel will continue supplying the foundations for electricity, water and communication services - even though the Palestinian's debt of over $50,000,000

- Israel is endorsing projects that give answers in the field of foundation and is cooperating with the donating countries in order to continue endorsing the projects.

- Israel has approved building sewer foundations in "Region C".

Electricity

- The Power Station in the Gaza strip will be built and ready for work around the end of November 2002.

Israeli acts to ease the water shortage

- Israel is endorsing 23 Project that will connect the villages to water companies.

- 3 connection were established to the Israeli water network.

- 5 water drills were approved.

- Israel and the USAID will be running a water-drilling project to what they did with electricity problem. USAID will also help with the desalination of water and building a water source foundation for the entire Gaza Strip.

Commerce & Trade

- Allowing more people to enter Israel for commerce actions. Allowing the activity of the commerce in Israel to run for more hours.

International Borders

- The continual flow of people and goods through Allenby and Rafah crossings.

Alenby Terminal - a daily average about 1,850 passangers (1,000 to Jordan and 850 from Jordan).

Status Report about general statistics per week

1. International Terminals - Alenby & Raphiach: - Alenby Terminal -

a) Entering the border: 6,550 passengers.

b) Going abroad: 6,550 passengers.

- Alenby Packaging Terminal -

a) Entering the border: 110 trucks.

b) Going abroad: 5.

- Raphiach Terminal -

a) Entering the border: 1,500 passengers.

b) Going abroad: 1,750 passengers.

- Raphiach Packaging Terminal -

a) Entering the border: 6 trucks.

b) Going abroad: - ?

2. The Airport - has been closed since February 6th.

3. Commerce Movement -

- To the Gaza strip - 1,450 trucks.

- From the Gaza strip - 1,050 trucks.

4. Concrete -

- 275 trucks to the Gaza strip.

- 95 trucks to the Judea/Samaria Junction near Beit El

- 65 trucks to Jordan, through Alenby.

5. Large Crates (Back to Back):

- In Karni: 770 crate trucks

- Sufa Crossing: 355 trucks from Jordan

- Altogether 1,125 trucks go to Gaza

6. Gas & Fuel -

- Gas:

To the Gaza strip: 2,234,000 liter, To Ayosh: 3,495,000 liter.

- Fuel:

To the Gaza strip: 530 tons, To Ayosh: 930 tons.

7. Employment in Israel -

Agriculture workers only are permitted to enter Israel.

Female workers are permitted to enter Israel.

- A total of 2,550 valid permits.

Humanitarian Aid

- Israel has permitted receiving 524 humanitarian donations & aids from a total of 584.

- When there is a closure, Israel allows Palestinians carrying special permits to enter Israel.

- Israel is obligated to establish the mandate given to international organizations and to the ICRC.

- Israel has initiated a special program for people who want to visit their families who live on the other side of the border.

- Israel permits people to enter Har-Habait on Fridays and pray.

- Israel permits visitors from abroad to enter the Palestinian Authority.

Tourism

- Coordination between Israel and Palestinians to increase the tourist activities in Israel (apart from Christmas Eve) with emphasis on Bethlehem and the christening location. In addition, roadblock 300 is being reconstructed in order to facilitate the entrance of visitors during the holiday.

The Villages Beit-Dejan, Beit-Phorik, Rantiss & Yericho

In the villages of Beit-Dajan and Beit-Phorik there exists a shortage of gas - due to the fact that the gas-companies themselves and the city of Nablus both suffer from a gas shortage.

In addition to that, the IDF does not allow transit between the city and the villages.

Within houses there are various quantities of food stored.

In the shops and stores however, the granary and food-storage is starting to deplete. There is no water shortage in the villages.

The heads of the village councils have already addressed the D.C.O of Nablus in order to make arrangements for transit of fuel, gas and food towards the holiday of "E'dl fiter"

- Rammalla:

The food traders responsible for the arrival of food to the village of Rantis report that there is no food shortage.

There is a gas station near the village and gas is transported to the people of Rammalla without a problem.

The general feeling in the village is that of distance and of a disconnection. That is due to the fact that it is very hard getting there, and especially today - when it takes about 3 hours.

- Jericho:

There is no shortage whatsoever of food in the city, due to the free transit of trucks carrying merchandise. In the city, there are about 30 merchants and shopkeepers hold in their stores product that can last for at least one week. There is no shortage of gas or fuel, due to the free transits of trucks during the last week. The is a storage of about 25 tons of gas.

The Gaza Strip Region

- Karni Terminal - through the Karni terminal pass about a few hundred trucks a day, which bring various kinds of merchandise and stocks from Israel to the Gaza strip and vise-versa.

- Sopha Terminal - crate-carriers are allowed to enter the unloading zone on the Palestinian side. More then 100 such trucks arrive there every day.

- A.T Erez - the activity there is as it should be, when over 3,000 Palestinian workers enter the area.

- The Fishing Range - Palestinian fishing boats are allowed to exit the Gaza strip up to 12 miles from the beach.

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1. An Israel Government Policy Decision

On October 18, 2001, following the murder of Israel Cabinet Minister Rehavam Z'evi, for which the PFLP took credit, the Israeli government cabinet met in emergency session

On that occasion, the Israeli cabinet unanimously decided that it would break all negotiations with Arafat and the PLO until such time as Arafat arrests the PFLP leadership, which is an integral part of the PLO.

The Israeli demand that Arafat arrest the killers of an Israeli citizen is in keeping with one of the major tenets of the Oslo accords which require the PLO to apprehend the killers of any Israeli citizen who escapes to the areas under their control.

The Israeli government has not enforced this killer arrest provision in the Oslo accords with enough consistency.

However, in the matter of the murder of an Israeli cabinet minister, the Israeli government finally made the matter of the PLO asylum for murderers as a matter of policy

After Arafat did not respond to the request of the Israeli government to arrest the PFLP leadership, the Israeli government decided in a further unanimous vote to not allow Arafat to leave Ramallah until Arafat would indeed carry through with its demand to arrest the PFLP .

PFLP offices are located 200 meters from Arafat's own office in Ramallah.

To this date, Arafat has not arrested the PFLP leaders, all of whom maintain a high profile in Ramallah.

On December 22, 2001, Arafat dispatched PA Cabinet Secretary Ahmed Abed Al-Rahman to address the 34th anniversary celebration of the PFLP which was held in Ramallah, a ceremony which was prominently covered in the official media of the PA - radio, tv and newspapers.

2. Reinforcing an Israeli Government Policy Decision

On December 23, 2001, Arafat requested permission to visit Bethlehem for Christmas - a request that was denied by the Israeli security cabinet. The vote was eight to six. The Israeli cabinet secretary explained the decision to confine Arafat to Ramallah was because Arafat had not fulfilled its demand to arrest the PFLP killers.

Dissenting cabinet minister, Israel Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Shimon Peres, claiming that this step would cause Israel harm in world opinion. Peres enlisted support for his position from Israel Chief Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau, and Israel President Moshe Katzav and Israel security expert Uzi Arad, who is closely identified with former Israel Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu, all of whom gave interviews on the Voice of Israel radio newsreels on December 24th

Throughout December 24th, a rumor was reported on the Voice of Israel Radio that the US embassy had demanded that Israel allow Arafat to Bethlehem.

Since the US embassy was closed on December 24th, there was no way to confirm if that was indeed the case.

3. Countering an Israeli Government Policy Decision Within the Government

Meanwhile, Peres ordered the director of the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs Avi Gil not to defend the decision of the Israeli government to disallow Arafat's participation in the ceremonies in Bethlehem.

And Gil ordered the Israeli diplomatic missions abroad to not defend the Israeli government decision in this regard. The Israel Prime Minister's office and the cabinet secretary requested that the Israel Foreign Ministry do their job to defend a cabinet decision of the government of Israel. The Israel Foreign Ministry respectfully refused to do so.

So there you have it. You might call it the Christmas coup in Israel - the day that it became official that two governments of Israel indeed exist.

4. Which Israeli Government Policy Will Be Perceived by the World as the Policy of the Israeli Government?

The answer lies in the budget for press relations.

As a result of the coalition agreement, the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, under the authority of Shimon Peres, oversees a budget of 24, 000,000 IS at its disposal, while the Israel Government Press Office, under the authority of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, oversees a budget of less than 500,000 IS

It would therefore be reasonable to assume that the Israeli "government" under the control of Shimon Peres will promote its policies to the media with greater zeal and efficiency.

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The Israel Resource Review is brought to you by the Israel Resource, a media firm based at the Bet Agron Press Center in Jerusalem, and the Gaza Media Center under the juristdiction of the Palestine Authority.
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