Barghouti says Olmert's plan not a peace plan
Photo: AP
Barghouti: Olmert doesn't want peace
Jailed Fatah leader blasts Olmert's diplomatic plan, says convergence aims to deepen occupation; Barghouti charges Israeli society failed to give rise to genuine peace partner
Barghouti unimpressed with Israel: Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's so-called "convergence plan" for further West Bank withdrawals is "not a peace plan, but rather, an attempt to circumvent the aspiration for Palestinian independence and an attempt to salvage the occupation," Jailed Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti says.
In an interview published Saturday in Palestinian newspaper al-Ayyam, Barhghouti issues a scathing attack on Olmert's convergence plan despite his earlier support for the Gaza and northern West Bank pullout.
"The withdrawal from Gaza was almost full with regards to the removal of occupation forces, evacuation of all the settlers, and razing of the settlements," Barghouti explains. "However, the situation in the West Bank and in Jerusalem is different, and that's where the danger inherent in this plan stems from. This plan attempts to eliminate the intention to establish an independent Palestinian state."
"In the West Bank, the withdrawal is the exception, with the essence being the continuation and deepening of the occupation," the jailed Fatah figure and convicted terrorist says. "I'm clearly saying that every agreement or plan, whatever its origin, won't end the occupation and the settlement in the 1967 borders fully, including in Jerusalem, and would push the Palestinians to continue their resistance."
'Israel assassinated Arafat'
During the interview, Barghouti noted the absence of trust between Israelis and Palestinians, but said trust is not a must in order to strike a peace deal.
"Trust between the two peoples isn't a pre-condition for a deal, because the relationship between them is that between an occupier and a people being occupied," he says. "Therefore, it is impossible to achieve trust before the occupation ends and we establish an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital, the refugees will return, all prisoners will be released, and our people will enjoy freedom and independence."
Barghouti warns that the attempt to reach a phased peace deal utterly failed and must not be repeated "under any circumstances."
"Our people, despite all the suffering, is still determined to continue on the path of struggle and resistance," he added. "I’m certain that the occupation is gradually disappearing earlier than what many think, and that the dawn of liberty is close to rising."
Slamming Israel, Barghouti says the Jewish state is "an occupating country that carries out the worst kind of torture and terrorism."
"The question now is whether there's a genuine partner for real peace? Sadly I'm saying that Israeli society did not give rise to a true peace partner," he says.
Finally, Barghouti says the unwillingness to talk with Hamas is a false excuse, "because negotiations have been paralyzed for six years at least, and Israel even assassinated President Yasser Arafat, even though he complied with all the international conditions for peace."
