The Palestinian Illusion

If anyone is still under the illusion that the Palestinians are the least bit interested in a peace with Israel then maybe Alice looking through the looking glass represents reality.

The concluding session of the current Fatah Assembly decreed that the return of both east and west Jerusalem to Palestinian control was a "red line" which was non-negotiable, and would need to be fulfilled before any peace talks with Israel could renew, Israel Radio reported.

According to the report, a document adopted by the Fatah delegates declared that Palestinians would "continue to be sacrificed until residents of Jerusalem are free of settlements and settlers." The document went on to state that all of Jerusalem, including the surrounding villages, belonged to the Palestinians, and lands conquered following the Six Day War shared the same status as those located within the Green Line.

In a recent interview on the BBC Persian service, an Iranian writer and commentator observed that in the history of world conflicts no peace treaty has been achieved by victor and vanquished being treated as equals. Israel was victorious in the wars with the Arab States and in this case of the Israel Palestinian conflict, he goes on to say, the UN has always interfered to ensure that Israel has been unable to reach any agreement.

This declaration by Fatah is a clear message to all those who maintain the illusion that the Palestinians were prepared for compromise.

In re-electing Mahmoud Abbas as head of Fatah, it is going to be more of the same. Moderation? Forget it, the emperor has NO clothes!!