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The Palestinian Leadership's Regression in the Peace Process

(Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs) Lt. Col. (ret.) Jonathan D. Halevi - Dr. Saeb Erekat, a member of the PLO Executive Committee and head of the Palestinian negotiating team, published a new position paper on June 18 that includes a set of recommendations for the Palestinian leadership. The document outlines a Palestinian strategy for a diplomatic struggle with Israel. Its main points include annulling the PLO's recognition of Israel; a diplomatic campaign to recruit international support to coerce an Israeli withdrawal to the 1967 lines; insisting on the "right of return" of Palestinian "refugees" along with their descendants; rejection of any proposals for a temporary or partial settlement with Israel; a legal battle against Israel in the international arena aimed at constraining Israel's ability to defend itself against Palestinian terror; strategic cooperation with Hamas and Islamic Jihad by integrating them into the PLO's institutions; and the waging of an all-out "peaceful popular struggle" against Israel (defined by Palestinian leadership as local terror attacks). The document reflects the old Palestinian strategy of "stages," which regards an Israeli withdrawal to the 1967 borders as affording an improved posture to continue the struggle. The writer, a senior researcher at the Jerusalem Center, is a co-founder of the Orient Research Group Ltd.
2015-07-01 00:00:00
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