Relinquish the Right of Return
Reader comment on item: Arafat's Failure May Offer Seeds of Hope

Submitted by Ron Finkel (United States), May 7, 2002 at 02:28

Palestinians and Arabs put great store on symbols and icons. Two significant steps that would go an enormous way towards convincing Israelis and supporters of Israel that the Palestinians have assimilated the reality of the existence of Israel as the homeland of the Jewish people would be: 1) for the Palestinians to seek compensation for Palestinian refugees and forego any thought of repatriation, and 2) for Yasser Arafat to switch from his uniform and Kaffiyeh to regulation suit.

The resolution of the conflict must be based on mutual recognition of the unremitting incitement to hatred of Israelis and Jews that resonates throughout PA-controlled territory. This incitement in Palestinian media, mosques and school system denies Israel's right to exist, the recognition of which by the Palestinians is an essential precondition for progress on the political front.

Daniel Pipes is hopeful that an emerging realisation on the part of the Palestinians of the gravity of their miscalculation will lead to a change in core policy. The "proof of the pudding" will be in the speed with which the current messages of incitement change. A good place to start would be with the repudiation by Fateh of its principles, goals and methodologies as outlined in its constitution which is available for all to read on its website www.fateh.net (publications).

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