Even during the most dangerous wars in 1967, in 1973 and during the Zionist invasion of Lebanon in 1982, nobody held his breath as the whole area is doing now while waiting for Sharon to come. This state of horror and fear is based on the idea that something wrong may happen to the peace process.

The Oslo Accord was a historical risk and it failed in different aspects. However, our steadfastness has increased due to our adherence to international legality and to what the intifada has already achieved. What also strengthens our steadfastness is the national unity that combines all the forces that comprise the Palestinian civil society in addition to the PNA executive, legislative and judicial authorities.

The Palestinian people, therefore, will not waste their time on wishful thinking. To us, it does not matter whether Sharon or Barak will win the elections. They are two faces for the same dirty coin. And we have to prepare ourselves for the worst.

Sharon’s election campaign reminds us of that of Netanyahu who not only refused the Oslo Accord but he also accused the Labor party of being traitors who transferred “the land of Israel” to those Palestinians who according to him have no national rights. The storm that engulfed his campaign then took him to power, and Shimon Peres sank in the blood of his victims in Lebanon.

Nowadays, we witness another storm that is highly likely to take Sharon to power after the atrocities that Barak has done. His follies were much more serious than those of Peres who bombarded Qana killing hundreds of civilians. He and the high-ranking officials in his army in addition to the gangs of settlers attack the Palestinian people as part of a state-organized terror campaign. Also, he destroyed the few signs of coexistence that remained between the Palestinians living in Israel and the Israelis, when his policemen killed thirteen Arab demonstrators. He also exerted all kinds of economic pressures and closed down all crossing points in and out of the occupied territories.

The tragic living conditions that we are living as a result of Barak’s policies make us believe that the intifada should remain regardless of the results of the Israeli elections. The consensus that formed the basis of the intifada will also remain since it embodies our legal rights: the liberation of al-Aqsa and Jerusalem, the establishment of our independent state, and the return of refugees.

If Barak turns out to be the winner, then nothing will change. His victory will help resume the vicious circle that started because of Barak’s intransigence in dealing with our national rights. As to Sharon, it is not necessary to mention the atrocities he committed against our people. One thing should be stressed here: regardless of who is the winner, any future Israeli government will not last for long due to the composition of the current Israeli Knesset.

In short, the upcoming Israeli elections make it necessary to prepare our selves for the worst prospects. A short-term plan has to be devised taking into account the following levels:

First: The Palestinian Level

Our adherence to the basic principles that are embodied in international resolutions is the first requirement that we need for our action plan. A clear and solid political position will enhance our trust in ourselves, the Muslim world and the international community. Our commitment to a comprehensive peace remains an important guarantee in our battle against the arrogant Zionists who continue to violate the international resolutions.

The clarity of the political position requires the strengthening of the organizational and administrative structure of all forces participating in the struggle. These forces consists of:

The PNA executive, legislative and judicial authorities.

The PNA shoulders the responsibility of maintaining a high degree of readiness while it is engaged in the negotiations with Israel. This will enhance the negotiating position and guarantee the continuation of the intifada.

In this regard, the role that the Ministry of Health has played during the intifada offers a good example to other ministries, with each ministry contributing in accordance with its capabilities and the nature of services it offers.

The ministry of Education has also played a wonderful role in organizing the educational and teaching process without any serious interruptions. The ministry helped maintain the level of stability that is essential for a civil society to carry out its activities.

Other ministries such as the Ministry of Information and the Ministry of Finance have also played a role. However, their future plans have to take into account the nature of tasks to be carried out as part of our continuous struggle.

Emphasis should be placed on the vital role of the security apparatus in maintaining a high level of security for the Palestinian society. The security apparatus has also played a role in the battle against collaborators who helped Israel in its military as well as psychological warfare against us.

As to the judicial authorities, they can help in the fight against corruption and any attempts that may be made to distort the Palestinian society.

National and Islamic Forces

These forces make up the hard core necessary for implementing the action plan to be devised. The unified statements expressing the political position that were issued by all forces participating in the intifada reflect the high degree of national unity we have. This will strengthen the position of the Palestinian negotiating team.

Enhancing national unity requires a higher level of co-ordination between the institutions of the PNA and the national and Islamic forces. Such coordination will help avoid any contradictions that may emerge as a result of political differences. Priority should be given to our national rights.

Public Organizations and Federations and NGOs

A third force in the confrontation against the Israeli occupation is the non -government organizations. These institutions comprise the Palestinian civil society whose participation in the intifada is essential. It is these institutions that give the intifada its public nature and guarantee its continuity.

These three basic forces that constitute our society need to have a high degree of coordination because of the complementary nature of the tasks they carry out as their contribution to the intifada. The unity they should experience in their work is the only guarantee for avoiding any risks that may destroy any achievements we have made since the Oslo Accord.

Secondly: The Arab and Islamic Level

The Arab and Islamic support for our national project is necessary for avoiding the dangers of the Oslo Accord. The intifada succeeded in unifying the Arab and Islamic front against the colonial Zionist danger. It made possible the holding of two important conferences: the Arab summit conference and the Islamic conference. However, Arab and Muslim countries have not yet played the role we expect of them. U.S. and Israeli threats in addition to the absence of a true Arab consensus as a result of the Gulf war, explain the failure of an active role by these countries.

The moral and material support that Iraq has offered for the Intifada represents a good example to other Arab countries.

Palestinian national and Islamic forces reaffirm their earlier position that Arab and Islamic countries should shoulder their responsibilities towards our cause. These countries should realize that the upcoming confrontation with the new Israeli government will be much more forceful.

Third: The International Level

The disappearance of Denis Ross and the Zionist administration of Clinton will hopefully put an end to the U.S. monopoly over the peace process. The latest statements by Mr. Kofi Anan and the interest he has shown in the Palestinian Israeli negotiations, indicate that the U.N. can play a much more effective role instead of the marginal one it has so far played.

The determination of such a role depends on us. We should continue to adhere to all international resolutions relevant to our issue: 181, 242, 338 and 194. As to international sponsorship, Russia, Europe, the Security Council countries and some Arab countries should be involved.

A more effective role by the U.N. and a wider international involvement in sponsoring the peace process will protect our rights and the peace process as well.

These expectations of what needs to be done requires a great deal of preparations without paying attention to Israeli propaganda that will eventually fade away.

Revolution Until Victory.
Special Thanks to “imra” at www.imra.org.il for calling our attention to this site.

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