Good morning all, Two significant developments pertaining to our struggle for freedom and independence have taken place in the last few days. The first one was in Cairo this last weekend when the donor countries pledged $5.4 billion in aid for the reconstruction of the totally devastated Gaza Strip. The operative word here is ‘pledged’ not paid. As we all know, nothing will happen without the approval of Israel. As usual, Israel has the power of veto over our lives and destiny. We are in the olive harvest season in Palestine and the heavily armed and fully trained squatters on our land are continuing to uproot our ancient olive trees and prevent our farmers from collecting their meagre harvest. But enough of this. The second, and more significant event was the vote last night in the British parliament to recognize a Palestinian state. The proposer of the motion, Mr. Graham Morris MP said that Britain had “a unique historical connection – and a moral responsibility to the people of both Israel and Palestine”. He said: “In 1920 we undertook a sacred trust to guide Palestine to statehood and to independence. That was nearly a century ago and the Palestinian people are still yet to have their rights recognised.” Bravo Mr. Morris. And bravo Mr. Richard Ottaway, powerful chairman of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee who had this to say. “I have stood by Israel through thick and thin. But I realise now that Israel has been slowly drifting away from world international public opinion. “The annexation of the 950 acres of the West Bank just a few months ago has outraged me more than anything else in my political life.” Please note the word ‘trust’. The first, as Mr. Morris said, “ the sacred trust to guide Palestine to statehood” was totally neglected. The second, the establishment of a homeland for the Jews was pursued meticulously. Israel was created in 1948 and the British government acknowledged it in 1950. We, the Palestinians are still waiting for justice to be served. Having said all that, is what happened in the British parliament last night a cause for celebration? And if it is, what are we celebrating? Public recognition that we Palestinians are people after all with the same human rights as anyone else on this planet? Yes, excellent. But these 274 MPs from both sides of the House of Commons, who voted for the motion have no real power. The vote is not legally binding. The current British coalition government of Conservatives and Liberal Democrats shows no signs of altering its course, at least, not at the moment. As former Foreign Secretary, Malcolm Rifkind said, “For me the most important question is what practical benefit would passing this resolution make? It might make us feel good. But recognising a state should only happen when the territory in question has the basic requirements of a state. And through no fault of the Palestinians that is not true at the moment and it seems to me that the resolution before us is premature.” Yet, Mr. Alan Duncan, the former international development minister, said he would be supporting the motion. “Refusing Palestinian recognition is tantamount to giving Israel the right of veto,” he said. Here, as a Palestinian, is my dilemma. Yes, we all crave recognition and yes we all would want to see a fully independent and functioning Palestinian state, joining the international community. But what is on offer here? And is it cause for celebration? Or just one small step on the long and hard road of our struggle to regain what is rightfully ours? You may celebrate if you feel that this vote was a victory, but though I applaud these MPs who finally found their conscience and courage their vote may make us feel good, but what practical advancements have been made? My compatriots let us take this symbolic gift with grace. Now it is incumbent upon us, all of us, the Palestinians to take our destiny in our own hands and affect the changes that are so sorely needed if we are to achieve our goals. I said it before, on many occasions, and I shall say it again now. Unless we are all united under one flag for one purpose, irrespective of partisan loyalties all will be lost. And now, I hope that you will understand why I am not celebrating yet.
Posted on: Tue, 14 Oct 2014 10:12:16 +0000
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