Barakeh: Israel evading Saudi initiative
צילום: ניב קלדרון
Barakeh: Olmert gov't can't advance peace
In Amman meeting with chief of Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, Hadash chairman says Israeli government has lost public's faith and is therefore powerless to bring about change in region
The Olmert government cannot bring about change in the region because it lacks the public's trust after the failures of the Second Lebanon War, Hadash chairman MK Mohammad Barakeh told Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine secretary-general Nayef Hawatmeh.
The two met in the Jordanian capital of Amman Saturday, along with Hadash secretary-general Ayman Auda.
Barakeh said that the Winograd Commission's final report, which is due this summer, may damage Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's government even more than the partial report published last week. While the initial report deals with the events leading up to the war's outbreak and its first five days, the final report will focus on the government's performance during the war.
From left to right: Barakeh, Hawatmeh and Auda
The future of the Cabinet will become clearer after the Labor primaries at the end of this month, Barakeh noted.
Hawatmeh's organization was responsible for numerous deadly terror attacks against Israel in the past, including the Ma'alot massacre in 1974, in which 26 Israelis were killed after terrorists took 100 schoolchildren and teachers hostage.
After the Oslo Accords, Hawatmeh repeatedly requested the right to live in the Palestinian territories, but the Israeli government refused.
'Unity pivotal'
Hawatmeh expressed his deep respect for the Arab public "that remained in their homeland despite the Naqba, and kept their national heritage as Palestinian Arabs."Hawatmeh said the Democratic Front was committed to the PA coalition agreement and the prisoners' document, which was agreed upon by Hamas and Fatah prisoners in Israeli prisons.
"Unity among the Palestinian people is the most important thing now," Hawtmeh asserted.
Barakeh responded that the Palestinian people's most important achievements have been staying in their homeland and establishing the PLO.
"The Communist party (DFLP) and Hadash will continue their committed struggle to remain in our land, defend our identity and history, preserve our national awareness and instill it in future generations," Barakeh said.
During the meeting, Barakeh also commented on the Saudi peace initiative and criticized "Israel's repeated attempts to evade and reject it."
