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Tuesday, 29 March 2011

Israel's primary partner in peace?

Never mind about Hamas, at least Fatah recognise Israel's right to exist, so the argument goes. Or not, as this protest made to the United Nations explains (my emphasis):
'WORLD UNION FOR PROGRESSIVE JUDAISM
UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL – 16th session (28 Feb. – 25 March 2011)
Statement by David G. Littman (read for him by an NGO colleague) 21 March (pm)

The PLO Charter still precludes the possibility of a peaceful solution

Thank you, sir. I have been asked to read this statement for Mr David Littman who is unfortunately indisposed.

Sir, Israel is surrounded by states calling for its destruction, which has created a climate of fear for all Israelis.

Despite many calls for the 1968 Fatah Charter to be changed, the main principles remain: (1)

In the Palestinian state only Jews who lived in Palestine before 1917 will be recognized as citizens [Article 6]:
– Only the Palestinian Arabs possess the right of self-determination, and the entire country belongs to them [Articles 3 and 21].
Any solution that does not involve total liberation of the country is rejected. This aim cannot be achieved politically; it can only be accomplished militarily [Articles 9 & 21].
Warfare against Israel is legal, whereas Israel's self-defence is illegal [Article 18]. (2)

All public promises since 1989 to amend the Palestinian National Charter have led nowhere. This was confirmed in 2009 [Fatah’s 6th General Conference] by Central Committee member 'Azzam Al-Ahmad: “The movement's charter remains as it was, without any changes.” (3)

The Palestinian Authority thus still refuses to recognise the historic reality of a “Jewish State of Israel” – even the term ‘Jewish’ – in less than 20% of its ancestral homeland, thereby denying Israel’s international legitimacy for 64 years. (4)

We appeal to the Council to ask why the 1968 PLO Charter calling for the destruction of Israel and the massive exodus of 99% of its Jewish population has still not been amended by the Palestinian Authority, despite official promises to that effect for over 20 years. And we appeal to the Council to examine the 1988 genocidal Hamas Charter, since Hamas is the de-facto government in Gaza. So long as these two Palestinian Charters remain valid – and without any olive branches offered by either side – any peace negotiations, and a two state solution, will remain problematic.

Thank you, sir.'
For more background on this matter I recommend a look at this Jihad Watch article may be of interest, it gives full references for all points made.

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