Nonviolence and the Fate of the Peace Process in the Palestinian Media
Over the past three weeks, two issues that have captured interest in Palestinian politics were reflected in the Palestinian media. The first was a communique by Palestinian figures, among them Al-Quds University president Sari Nusseibah and former Palestinian ministers Hanan Ashrawi and Yasser Abed Rabbo, and Fatah members, calling for a nonviolent Intifada, and a counter-communique by Fatah's Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades condemning the previous communiqué and calling it another initiative of surrender that serves the occupation.
The second was a speech by Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Ahmad Qurei' (Abu Alaa) as he presented the quarterly report on his government's activity to the Palestinian Legislative Council. In his speech, Abu Alaa addressed such central issues as objections to attacks on Israeli civilians, a statement of adherence to the peace process, a qualified blessing for Israel's possible disengagement from Gaza, and conditions for peace with Israel, including a solution to the refugee problem according to United Nations General Assembly Resolution 194, as well as a statement of total opposition to the anarchy prevailing in the PA territories. The following are excerpts of the communiqué and response to it, and of Ahmad Qurei's speech:
Call for a Non-Violent Intifada
On March 27, 2004, over 100 Palestinians, among them public figures and Fatah members, published an announcement in the Palestinian Authority daily Al-Ayyam calling on the Palestinians to reawaken to a popular and non-violent Intifada even as they condemned the assassination five days earlier of Hamas leader Sheikh Ahmad Yassin.
This announcement was first published in the same paper on March 25, 2004, with 70 signatories, and at the time of this publication has 155 signatories: [1]
"We the undersigned, the sons of the Palestinian people, from various political, ideological, and social frameworks that are united in their struggle and steadfastness, condemn Israel's blatant aggression against our people, which was manifested a couple of days ago in the criminal and base act carried out by Sharon and his extreme right-wing gang that led to the martyr death of the leader Sheikh Ahmad Yassin and his freedom-fighting companions.
"[Even while] we stress the rights of our people, which have been confirmed by all the international treaties, [and stress our right] to use all means to defend our people, even if we explode from pain at the terrible tragedy, we call upon the sons of our people across the homeland to [do as] the national interest dictates: To take the initiative from the hands of the criminal occupation gang, to contain the rage, and to rise up again a non-violent Intifada of the masses, broad in scope, with clear goals and [a] sane message, to be initiated and led by our freedom-fighting people.
"[This Intifada] will make Sharon miss the opportunity to crown his aggression against our people and against the holy places with the final touches of his security plan.
"As we appeal [to make] this Intifada of unity a step toward reawakening to popular activity, purposeful and disciplined, with a clear program and [expected] political yield, we stress our commitment to our just and legitimate demands and to our rights. We call for the unification of the ranks, based on national unity and a united leadership resisting the occupation.
"Enough of the criminal assassination operations. Enough of the bloodshed. Enough of the occupation."
The signatories include:
Al-Quds University president Sari Nusseibah
Former PA minister Yasser Abed Rabbo
PA Minister for Women's Affairs Zuheira Kamal
Fatah Executive Committee Member Abbas Zaki
PA Communications and Technology Minister 'Azzam Al-Ahmad
