(Jerusalem Post)Barry Rubin - The moderates (Abbas, Qurei, Dahlan) are the weakest faction among the Palestinian nationalists. A pragmatic point of view is unpopular among activists who have been indoctrinated to glorify violence, hate Israel, and define moderation as treason. They also face the movement's dominant ideology, which still hinges on Israel's destruction, and the men with guns. The moderates have no charismatic leader, are heretics to the Islamists, and will be seen as puppets of Israel and America. Consequently, they are likely to survive by not doing much. The moderates know it is in the Palestinians' interest to end terrorism against Israel - but attempts to prevent Hamas or their Fatah attacks will be laughed at, ignored, or bring violent retaliation. Veteran Fatah hard-liners led by Farouk Kadoumi see no reason to change their view that the only acceptable outcome is a Palestinian state in place of Israel. They will allow no compromise solution and they have a big majority in Fatah. Fatah will maintain a veto over all policies, blocking any real progress toward a peace agreement. Best-known among the young Fatah hard-liners is Marwan Barghouti - the main architect of the post-2000 intifada - currently serving multiple life sentences for terrorist activities. The young hard-liners believe there is no need for political compromise because they will drive Israel out of the territories, and they are ready to fight on for decades.
2004-11-16 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive