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Al-Ahram Weekly 13 - 19 July 2000 Issue No. 490 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 13 - 19 July 2000 Issue No. 490
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Focus International Economy Opinion Interview Culture Features Travel Living Sports Profile People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters Any given deal
Improved relations between Egypt and Iran, and steps toward the restoration of diplomatic ties, severed more than 20 years ago, have been welcomed by the peoples of the two nations, and by the region as a whole.
The past seven years of negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians have lowered the expectations of nearly all those involved in the Middle East process. Optimism is at a low ebb with the opening of the Camp David summit on Tuesday. Many agreements have been signed, innumerable hands shak-n, photos taken and historic events duly applauded, but very little has been implemented on the ground. The Palestinians, who are fighting to restore their legitimate rights and end their suffering under occupation, are being squeezed again -- as is customary -- to make concessions when they have nothing left to offer. Israel, meanwhile, enjoys full US support. It sees no need to put any pressure on its governments, whether Likud or Labour, for domestic reasons. Israel is a democracy -- or so the US tells the Arabs ceaselessly. The whole world should therefore understand Israel's domestic squabbles and refusal to implement agreements already signed with the Arabs. Ironically, the same Arab governments are asked to suppress any opposition to unjust peace deals with Israel, as if the Arab peoples were not entitled to the same democratic rights as Israelis.
US President Bill Clinton, who recently said that he could now draw a map of the West Bank in his sleep (illustrating his deep involvement in attempts to find a settlement between Israel and Palestinians), was absolutely right when he warned that failing to reach a deal now might open the door to an outbreak of violence. But an unjust deal, which does not recognise the Palestinians' legitimate demand for a fully independent state with Arab Jerusalem as its capital and the right of return and compensation for millions of Palestinians in the Diaspora, is unacceptable and will surely lead, just as inevitably, to violence and more bitterness.
The fact that President Clinton has only six months left in the White House should not result in greater pressure being placed on Arafat to reach a deal that is neither just nor comprehensive. The Camp David summit, expected to last for nearly a week, must not necessarily be the last of its kind. If basic principles are agreed on by both sides during this week's meeting, without postponing any of the main issues like Jerusalem and refugees, there should be a chance for more meetings. The US effort is very welcome; indeed, the Arab side has repeatedly requested US intervention of this sort. But that does not mean the Palestinians and their legitimate demands can be sidelined yet again.
