Taking the initiative

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The formation of a Palestinian national unity government ended a year of division that pitted Fatah and President Mahmoud Abbas on the one hand against Hamas and its government on the other. This development has created a new situation, one in which the Palestinians can act, not only react. The Palestinians should stop listening for a while and make others listen. Many parties are involved in the Palestinian problem, including the US, Israel, Russia, China, Europe, the UN, Arabs and Muslims. They need to recognise the needs of the Palestinians. So the Palestinians, with their newly formed national government, should start outlining their needs, instead of waiting for others to tell them what to do.

The time is right for the Palestinians to take the initiative. The Bush administration and Ehud Olmert's government are as weak and unpopular as ever. And the Mecca Accord has created a favourable momentum in the Arab world. Saudi Arabia and Syria have already mended their rift, and an important Arab summit is about to be held. There is also a growing consensus on such matters as Iraq and Arab-Iranian relations. So the prospects for Arab solidarity are encouraging at present.

The Palestinians could start by asking for the separation wall to be demolished. They should ask for Israeli settlements to be dismantled. And they could stress their inalienable rights in Jerusalem. This would be more useful than begging for assistance or recognition. This would be more useful than trying to please the Quartet or anyone else. The Palestinians should focus on the occupation, dismantling settlements and the return to 1949 armistice lines. Even the matter of establishing their own state can wait until such matters are settled. The Palestinians should affirm their priorities and stick to them.

The Quartet has been unfair to the Palestinians. It wanted Palestinians to make concessions while offering nothing in return, aside from assistance. The Palestinians need their land and this is what should be the focus of any talks. The Palestinians should not stoop into begging, not from the Europeans or the Americans or anyone else. And the Arabs can help them out. The upcoming Arab summit can do something to free the Palestinians from financial pressure and provide a context in which Palestinian national rights can be upheld.