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Name
Hajjur
- United States
Profession
Question
How do you assess the results of the truce conducted between the Palestinian factions and the Zionists? Can we say that Abu Mazen successfully won America’s sympathy with Palestinian rights?
Answer
First of all, the truce was an agreement the Palestinian authority and the different Palestinian factions; it was not with Israel. I think the factions are awaiting the results of Prime Minister Abbas’s visit to Washington and to see if the visit is going to make a real difference in the daily life of Palestinians.
I think it is too early to say that Abu Mazen won sympathy from the Americans; however, President Bush made some positive statements during the visit. The concern that I have is that the President sounded yesterday that he was backtracking during his joint appearance with Ariel Sharon. He downgraded the war from a problem to a sensitive issue.
Name
Muhammad
-
Profession
Question
How do you see the development for security formula suggested in the Bush-Abu Mazen summit? America has promised 30 millions dollars in return of what?
Answer
I think there are some who believe that the Problem of the Palestinians is that of economics. So they try to solve it through economic development. I believe there is no amount of development that will satisfy the Palestinian desire to be free. Economic development without substantial development on the political level that will eventually lead to the dismantlement of the occupation will be misguided.
Name
Mary
-
Profession
Question
I want to ask one question: How do u face the terrifying Monster called: The Zionist Lobby?
Answer
I believe that extremist pro-Israel groups must be dealt with in the United States through educating the public, building coalition with other like minded groups, efficient advocacy to opinion directed at opinion makers and policy makers in the United States.
Name
Nawal 3arafa-USA
-
Profession
Question
They hated Abu Ammar a lot.. Did they like Abu Mazen? I mean both the Americans & Israelis..
Answer
It is clear that both Americans and Israelis feel that President Arafat is a man with whom they can’t deal. And they demand a change of leadership and reform on the Palestinian side. I believe both the Americans and the Israelis paradigm is one of power and arrogance, which will hurt any effort to bring peace to the region.
Political reform is a Palestinian demand and should not be dictated by the occupying power in Tel Aviv and its financier in Washington DC.
Name
mamoun
-
Profession
Question
Do you think that abu mazin work for palestinian interests or for american and israeli interests?
Answer
No, I believe he works for Palestinian interest with limited leverage.
Name
Faleh
-
Profession
Question
Do you think Abu Mazen’s trip to Washington was successful? What fruits Palestinians gained from that trip?
Answer
I think we will be in a better position to judge Abu Mazen's visit after Ariel Sharon returns to the region. Then we will be able to assess if the Americans were actually successful in pressuring the Israelis on concessions.
However, I am not totally optimistic judging by Sharon’s remarks in the White House yesterday.
Name
Mona
-
Profession
Question
What is the reason behind the release of some prisoners? Do you think it was a tactic to reduce Abu Mazen’s embarrassment in front of desperate Palestinians?
Answer
One of the main issues that Abu Mazen discussed with President Bush was the issue of prisoners, which I would rather refer to them as Palestinians civilians held hostages by Israel for ransom. The release of such small numbers of prisoners is going to help Abu Mazen, especially a substantial number of those who were released were actually criminal elements.
Name
islam
-
Profession
Question
assalamu 'alaikum wa rahmatUllah! it's funny how america always sends its troops somewhere to solve problems - yet we have not done that with this problem. do you think it would be beneficial to send american troops to sort of act as mediators in the israeli-palestinian cause, to keep the violence down?
Answer
I believe some international force is necessary to play a buffer role between Palestinians and Israelis. However, when this issue came to a Security Council resolution, both the United States and Israel opposed it.
Name
Abduallah
-
Profession
Question
Did the last summit between Bush and Abu Mazen make a difference? What 20 or 30 million dollars they are talking about? How much of damage did the destroying forces of Sharon make? It is only worth 30 million dollars?
Answer
This installment was the first time ever that the Americans actually deposit money directly into the account of the PA. If we compare that to the 14 thousands million dollars that the US gave to Israel in aid and loan guarantees, the disparity becomes clear. 20 to one side versus 14 thousands to the other side. I take it as rhetorical when people ask about the honest brokers in the Middle East.
Name
Maymouna
-
Profession
Question
Everybody is aware of the evils of the roadmap especially in ignoring the Palestinians’ right of return and the release of prisoners. But the truce was made on the basis of some promises of releasing all prisoners. There are more than 8, 000 people detained in Israeli jails. What does Abu Mazen have to say about these?
Answer
I believe that Abu Mazen tried his best to win the release of the Palestinians hostages in Israelis jails. Even though I don’t question Abu Mazen’s sincerity, I have my doubts about his ability to extract more concessions from the Israelis.
Name
Wessam
-
Profession
Question
Do you think that Abu Mazen's visit benefitted the Palestinian Lobby? How?
Answer
I believe it did by showing the American public that the Palestinians are not monolithic politically and that they are serious about peace that will bring them justice and dignity. I believe that those who lobby on behalf of the Palestinians will have a positive message to carry and a leader to personify this message.
Name
Suleiman
-
Profession
Question
Is it possible that both the US and Isreal would like to see a civil war between Palestinians?
Answer
Without a doubt there are some elements in the US and Israel who would love to see such a thing. As a matter of fact, a right-wing journalist wrote an opinion piece saying it is time for the Palestinians to have a civil war by which they will eliminate, according to the writer, radical elements. However, I believe the Palestinians have shown tremendous restraints and leadership and cohesion in the face of such possibility.
Name
Adil
-
Profession
Question
What is you commentary on Bush’s praise to Abu Mazen that he is a good leader for Palestinians? Does this mean they have successfully managed to get someone under their thumb to apply their agenda?
Answer
Well, I would say to be fair to all we should not be upset that a president praises Abu Mazen; we complain if he “disses” him. Having said that, I think Abu Mazen should be judged according to his performance.
Name
Islam
-
Profession
Question
I think that Abu Mazen did not go to Washington except to submit more agendas of stopping the intifada. We cannot think of Bush praising Abu Mazen for his defense for the rights of Palestinians. What do you think?
Answer
Again, we should judge Abu Mazen by his performance. One thing for sure is that neither Bush nor Sharon nor Abu Mazen can fool the Palestinians into believing that they are free when they are not. So, Abu Mazen can try to give all the concessions he wants, but at the end of the day it is the Palestinian people who will accept or reject life without freedom.
Name
Mahdi
-
Profession
Question
Do you think Abu Mazen as a father of Oslo will succeed in stopping the intifada?
Answer
Only under one or two conditions: either if turns the intifada into a Palestinian civil war if he removed the conditions which created the intifada, the Israeli occupation.
Name
Khalid
-
Profession
Question
How do you see the future between the Palestinian factions and Abu Mazen's government?
Answer
That will depend on Abu Mazen’s ability to deliver the goods and his ability to withstand American and Israeli pressure to dismantle these groups. I believe Abu Mazen is smart enough not to play the role of Israel enforcer.
Name
Ra'id
-
Profession
Question
What is the effect of Bush-Abu Mazen meeting on the roadmap?
Answer
This visit marks the first time the Palestinian official visits the White House which signals a change in attitude by this administration. I believe success will hinge on Bush’s ability to carry through his commitment to peace in the Middle East.
Name
Editor
-
Profession
Answer
Finally, we would like to thank our guest for speaking to Islamonline viewers today, and we also thank all viewers who participated with us in this dialogue. We apolgize for not being able to accomodate all the questions within the time allocated to this session. We request our viewers to join us in the upcoming sessions.
