"It is telling that the authors make no attempt at framing the PA as a body that prioritizes Palestinians’ freedom. Instead, they touch on the “weakness of the PA in the face of hundreds of Palestinian militants.” Such a tired and veiled characterization of Palestinian resistance to occupation is borrowed directly from the Israeli narrative and lends credence to the current perceived scope of the PA’s activities."
Re: "Netanyahu: Israel to work to prevent collapse of Palestinian Authority"
July 11, 2023
Someone completely ignorant about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict could be forgiven for thinking that Ari Rabinovitch and Doina Chiacu’s article, “Netanyahu: Israel to work to prevent collapse of Palestinian Authority,” would outline promising steps taken by the Israeli Prime Minister towards peace. After all, the Palestinian Authority certainly seems, at least nominally, to be the representative voice of the Palestinian people, and so preventing its collapse must be a benevolent gesture.
It is true that the PA was formed during the course of peace talks and that its initial purpose was to advance the interests and protect the rights of Palestinians. However, it was only ever meant to be a transitional body, as the Oslo Accords were believed to be a material step towards Palestinian statehood and sovereignty.
Thirty years on, neither do the Palestinian people nor the PA have any real autonomy, with many maintaining that the latter is simply an extension of the Israeli forces.
Not two weeks ago, Netanyahu himself asserted that while he rejects Palestinian sovereignty and that such ambitions “must be eliminated,” the PA must not be allowed to collapse. Why? Because the PA’s continued existence prolongs the status quo, perpetuating Israel’s oppressive apartheid regime.
It is telling that the authors make no attempt at framing the PA as a body that prioritizes Palestinians’ freedom. Instead, they touch on the “weakness of the PA in the face of hundreds of Palestinian militants.” Such a tired and veiled characterization of Palestinian resistance to occupation is borrowed directly from the Israeli narrative and lends credence to the current perceived scope of the PA’s activities.
The article casually refers to the Palestinian Authority as “Western-backed” and then later quotes U.S. President Joe Biden as saying that it has “lost its credibility.” Given that the U.S. has long since abandoned any credible claim to being a neutral intermediary in the conflict, providing Israel with upwards of $3.8 billion annually, the irony in Biden’s words would be funny if it wasn’t so dismal. Lost credibility indeed—but in the eyes of whom?
Bāssel Abdel-Qader
Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME)
Address: 580 Sainte-Croix, Suite 060, Montreal, QC H4l 3X5
T: 438-380-5410
C: 416-616-0910