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Barghouti's plan for '67 borders

In interview to Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, jailed Fatah leader explains how he managed to get top Hamas, Islamic Jihad leaders to sign principles accepting establishment of Palestine on 1967 borders; next step is to draft peace plan and bring it to people’s approval in national referendum, Barghouti says

Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti, who is imprisoned in Israel, said Wednesday that Hamas and the Islamic Jihad are negotiating with Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas about a plan to bring a peace agreement to a national referendum.

 

Speaking to the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, Barghouti shed light on a document that made waves in the region when it was published – but received only marginal attention in Israel. “I presented a draft which we made together,” Barghouti, 46, said. “I was suggested ideas which I included in the draft, and in the end it was unanimously approved.”

 

The text includes 18 points whose aim is to prevent a Palestinian civil war and pave the way towards negotiations with Israel. “This is the first document approved by both Hamas and Islamic Jihad, which recognizes the birth of a Palestinian country on the borders of 1967. It is pivotal because it unites the factions for a purpose that has international legitimacy.”

 

The interview, conducted by Davide Frattini with mediation of Barghouti’s lawyer Elias Sabag, suggests that Barghouti may have succeeded where Abbas has thus far failed – to convince Hamas to accept the idea of establishing a Palestinian nation on the 1967 territories, and a final agreement recognizing Israel’s secure borders. To do so, Barghouti recruited other leaders jailed with him at the Hadarim prison, which he was able to meet with for two hours daily when prisoners were given free time out of their cells. For weeks he held discussions with them in attempt to garner their support and signatures for his plan.

 

Barghouti’s statements come ahead of the launching of internal Palestinian dialogues Thursday between Fatah, Hamas and the other Palestinian factions, headed by Abbas and Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh. The sides will attempt to ground talks on the understandings reached with Barghouti, Abed al-Halak Natashe (top Hamas member jailed in Israel) and their associates. The understandings require the PA to recognize directly Israel’s existence and should reverse the international boycott on the Hamas government.

 

Your document calls for national unity. But until now the Hamas government has claimed that this is an “interesting project” without endorsing it.

 

We declare in the test that the PLO is the only body with the legitimacy to represent the Palestinian people in negotiations. Hamas and Islamic Jihad must join the organization, which will lead negotiations along with Abbas. A final agreement will be brought to the people to vote on in a referendum.

 

The Islamic Jihad doesn’t accept the ceasefire of February 2005 and continued to carry out suicide bomb attacks in Israeli cities.

 

Islamic Jihad leaders in prison would like the attacks against the occupation to be limited to the West Bank.

 

What about Hamas and Fatah, who are fighting with Kalashnikovs on the streets of Gaza?

 

The security forces should be barred from involvement in the inter-factional power struggles. The government and chairman must work together. My document establishes very important promises for a future Palestinian nation: Political pluralism, respect for women’s rights, freedom of the press.

 

How did you manage to convince Abed al-Halak Natashe to accept the idea of a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders?

 

He is one of the founders of the organization, and is held in high esteem by the other leaders. He believes in national unity.

 

Khaled Mashaal in Damascus rejected the possibility that Hamas would recognize Israel. He invited Fatah to “unite under the flag of the Jihad to liberate all of Palestine.”

 

Hamas heads the government and has a parliamentary majority, but it must understand that no one right now can lead the Palestinian people by themselves. They must make a wider coalition, based on my plan to get Arab and international support for a just cause. Our people has the right to oppose the occupation.

 

What is your evaluation of Olmert’s new government? Amir Peretz as Defense Minister is interested in renewing dialogue with Abbas.

 

The Israelis are unwilling to have real negotiations, that would set a time schedule for their retreat from the territories conquered in 1967 and east Jerusalem. They speak of negotiations to throw dust in everyone’s eyes and to force a unilateral decision which ignores the Palestinian side. They speak of talks and force four million Palestinians to live in a cage.

 

With the withdrawal from Gaza, (former Prime Minister) Ariel Sharon showed bravery and the ability to change his mind. Do you recognize that?

 

From the moment the disengagement was announced, I was sure he would succeed in completing the operation. It was the right choice, a small step towards the end of the occupation. Sharon understood that controlling Gaza became too costly and Israel did not manage to break the spirits of the Palestinians.

 

Ali Waked contributed to the report

 


פרסום ראשון: 05.24.06, 19:20
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