Do most Palestinians want to recognize Israel after all this is happening?
Answer
There was never any indication that most Palestinians did ever want to recognize Israel. There are still doubts about polls which had all failed to predict the outcome of the past elections. There were also conflicts in the questions regarding recognizing Israel. At the time some polls indicate that the majority of Palestinians do want to recognize Israel, some others indicate that there is a majority that wants Hamas never to compromise any Palestinian rights. In short, nothing indicates that the majority of Palestinians indeed want to recognize Israel against the backdrop of Israel's categorical denial of Palestinian rights. Jericho' incident again confirms Israel's policies and the course Israel has been taking in dealing with Palestinians. With the exception of Israel, people and government, President Bush and British Prime Minister Blair, no one else in the whole world gave any support to the Israeli actions in Jericho. IN fact, all indications point clearly that there was a great deal of dismay at the Israeli action.
Name
richard
- United States
Profession
Lawyer
Question
Given that it appears the palestinians were about to release the PFLF prisoners, what choice did the Isrealis have but to attack the prison and take these prisoners?
Answer
In diplomatic norms, agreements must be respected at all times. It is totally unacceptable to violate these agreements in that manner which reflects gangster mentality in dealing with maters of that nature. Israeli actions might possibly be accepted within smaller non-governmental movements, but never at governments level. It would have been much more understandable have the Israelis declared publicly that the agreements were null and void and then go after their targets, then, and then only all parties would be accountable for their decisions. It is noteworthy to mention that the whole issue was subject to deep disagreement where the Palestinian Supreme Court had ordered Mr. Saadat and the other prisoners release due to the unconstitutionality of their incarceration.
Name
Fatih
- Turkey
Profession
Engineer
Question
Assalamu aleikom,
ý want to ask about the observers. who were the observers during the incident? I heard something that they were American and British soldiers?
Answer
The agreement dictated the presence of British and American observers. The impression was that these observers were prison guards, but it appeared that the agreements limited their role to that of an observers. The reason for that was perhaps the Israeli attitude which opposes the presence of foreign force in Palestinian territories. Thus the compromise indicated that the guards should be Palestinians with the presence of international observers who represent a guarantee that the prisoners were indeed incarcerated in a manner which Israel dictated
Name
Shamil
- Russian Federation
Profession
auditor
Question
What is the main (actual, but not that one which is made public in engaged mass media) reason for "JSC Israel's" assault of Jericho's jail, in your opinion?
Answer
No doubt that the heat of election campaigning in Israel has a great effect ion their decision to assault Jericho. There are some analysts that give credence to the theory that Olmert does indeed want to enhance his chances in the upcoming elections to the point that some of those analysts predicted that Olmert might carry out major stunts like assassinating major Palestinian government figures (Hamas leaders). This prediction might not be opposed by the US which wants Kadima to be ahead the upcoming elections.
This operation, in my opinion, achieves more than one goal for Israel. One of these reasons is to widen the gap between Hamas and the other Palestinian factions where this will embarrass Hamas who is now seeking for form a government in a stable political atmosphere.
Israel recognizes well that political stability within the Palestinian territories is in Hamas' interest, at least in the present time. Thus, the continuing attempts to destabilize the situation and creating tense atmosphere.
Name
Asif
-
Profession
Software engineer
Question
Sometime ago on islamonline.net there was US dept rept online harping/moaning about how Hamas has to honor this/that/Oslo agreement and not shy away from its obligations etc (besides the usual rubbish from him).
Why don't you also go onto US media and complain about Israel not honoring its end of deal from jericho agreement to Oslo accords- it was Israel which FIRST violated Oslo by continuing settlements.
Answer
We must admit that there is great deal of difficulty in penetrating the American & Western media machine. This media was wholly, completely, and totally penetrated by Zionist and pro-Israel influence. Israel supporters were able to have great influence on such media and dictating the Israeli version of the events and selling such stories to the public.
This does not necessarily mean that Palestinians and Arabs should stand with their hands tied in face of this vicious media machine. It is necessary to at least attempt to present the Palestinian viewpoint and mobilize public opinion to support the Palestinian side. It is equally important to recognize that the means to achieve this goal is very insignificant compared to that of those pro-Israel whether managerial or logistically.
Name
Ahmed
-
Profession
Question
Could you mention the Israeli targets from the raid as it seems an election tool?
Answer
As we indicated earlier that it is fairly clear that the operation was in the Israeli election campaign. Thus this operation achieves clear Israeli goals in the Palestinian territories, especially after the earthquake that came about as a result of Hamas' ascension to power in the Palestinian areas, and the radical change the political equation. Israel was taken aback due to Hamas' victory which deeply embarrassed the Israeli government, something that forced Israel to look for ways out by attempting to hinder Hamas' government. Istrael considers Hamas in government a much bigger obstacle to their plans in the Palestinian territories than it once did Fatah.
Name
Namir Zuher
-
Profession
Question
How do you see the Hamas' status after the raid.. I think it put Hamas in a critical situation and Israel wanted to test Hamas ability in dealing woth such a provocating act.
Thanks
Answer
Perhaps Hamas was lucky to have such incident before it took power by announcing the formation of its government. No doubt that such incidents will deeply embarrass Hams had been in power, still the outside observer can easily see that it dealt cleverly with past incidents of that magnitude. The most Hams has to lose is government. I believe that power it own merits if not an end for Hamas, rather a means to achieve its goals. However, Hams' cleverness takes it much further. Hamas keenly seeks to forma national unity government so as all Palestinians factions can share in the decisions and responsibilities for such decisions. If we were to add that the Jericho agreement took place between the Palestinian Authority as dominated by Fatah on one side and the Americans and Israelis on the other. Thus the responsibility rest whole at Abbas' hands. Everything that is related to this matter has always been in the office of the president. This does not relieve Hamas from responsibilities in the Palestinian public opinion that sees Hamas as the savior that will never shirk its responsibility by leaving Abbas alone to deal with the government crisis.
Name
Sabeel
-
Profession
Question
How do you see Hamas' options to respond... Hamas is already handicaped by its political shape as a government so we don't expect a militant act against israel to be done by Hamas but other factions can do ... what do you think ?
Answer
We can say anything we want about Hamas' response. The most important thing is Hamas' decision in that respect. The questions being asked are valid, legitimate ones. It is true that logical reasoning leads to a specific results which is that it is in Hamas' best interest to operate in stable political atmosphere. However, anyone who reads Hamas' writings will come to the conclusion that Hamas never abandoned any of its options and that it might be able to find the appropriate way to respond militarily or otherwise.
I believe that Hamas now gives Israel, the US, Europe, and the Arab governments, and perhaps to President Abbas and his Fatah movement, a clear message which says that Hamas, while never abandoning their option of military resistance, that it is fully capable of conducting politics and practicing self-constraint, at the same time it has the ability, right, and option to respond as it sees fit.
In other words, Hamas is giving others the opportunity to test its ability to ply politics, and not vice versa, which means that Hams' hands are not tied but it insists that it succeeds in investing its election victory.
Name
Muhammed Saeed
-
Profession
Question
Britain and the United States have proved that they are agents for Israel. And the palestinians now see Britain especially repeating its historic plot (Belfor) by betrayin the palestinians once again.
Answer
No doubt that America and Britain played an ugly role in the latest incident. Those two countries did not keep the simplest norms especially as it pertains to agreements. No doubt that these two countries worked hand in hand with Israel as one team and dealt with Palestinians with disrespect and humiliation. Perhaps the goals of the three countries were united in directing a strike against Hamas and the increase the political mayhem inside the Palestinian territories, something that will increase the difficulties for any incoming government.
The problem lies in the traditional Palestinian Authority, i.e. the so called old-guard which has absolutely confidence in Europeans and Americans and it believe that they can serve the Palestinian interests despite the fact that all indications for the past tens of years point in the opposite direction. No need for details here. It is important to learn one more lesson from this incident and realize that America and Britain did not lose sleep over this humiliation of all Palestinians, on the contrary, the Western media exaggerated such reaction as burning the British Council or abducting foreigners, choosing to minimize the Israeli actions.
