Mustafa Barghouti: "Palestinians Need the People of the World."

by Marilyn Robinson in Ramallah

May 8, 2002

We met with Dr. Bargouthi last night at his office in the Medical Relief center in central Ramallah. Some of his thoughts are as follow:

To the internationals: "Your presence is very appreciated. We need your presence here now and in the future. Palestinians need the people of the world. We are self-reliant, resist pressure and the occupation. Israel is doing the same as the government did in South Africa.  It is important for people to feel confident and continue intifada and the resistance."

Jerusalem Post article indicated Bush and Sharon are isolating Arafat. PLO needs further reform, further marginalizing. We were after reform for sometime. We opposed 1996 elections. They used only one instrument; pressure exercised on us for approval of certain documents from Israel. Camp David offered a Palestine as autonomous, though, no real control of the Palestinian area. No sovereignty. Arafat called it a bad deal. Barak ordered final historical traditions. Everything since then has been punishment to the Palestinians. The Intifada made it easier for Israel to claim a military battle over issues. The plans were all instruments of political pressures. If you do not sign, we will get alternative leadership to sign. Leadership may provide a bigger commitment to ensure Power to the People or go the direction of giving into concessions.

By your presence (the internationals), you enhance the possibility to go in the right direction. It is an important time for everyone.

Question: How about the rebuilding problem?

"Palestinians rebuild and Israel comes to knock it down again. A vicious cycle? The problem is not rebuilding. This office was totally damaged as of last week. No problem to rebuild. Great problem is what you rebuild, to stay and not be destroyed. Israel wants to destroy not just our buildings but our ability to build our independent state and want to Jewdize the West Bank. I feel this is a preparation for ethnic cleansing. 45% of land was assigned to Palestine in 1947. We just want 22% of what was assigned.

Invasion tanks are still here in Ramallah. The invasion is apparently ongoing. The Israelis want to show they can come and go as they want. After WWII, if France and Great Britain had decided to stay occupying Germany, there would have been no peace.

Question: Is the US the only one able to impose peace?

"Peace cannot be imposed, it must be agreeably reached by all and cannot be achieved. Majority in Israel still want peace, the right way is to assure security for Israel. They fear once Palestine signs an agreement, they will wake up and want Haifa etc. They will keep wanting more.

Concentration of moral issues and views of wrongdoings of the occupation must accompany practical methods, i.e. price of boycott of Israeli goods.

I believe the US needs to work on:

1. Moral issues of the occupation.  With this we can reach the majority.

2. Speak to interest groups - there are over 7 million arab/muslim voters in the US. Need to relate to other lobby groups.

3. Media-need to influence media the right way.

Israel has turned to lobby building in the US. In '67 Israel attacked Arab countries with US support. There is no military solution to Palestinian issue. Palestine's weakness is our strength. If we have reached bottom, there is no way but up.

Jewish Americans are very wealthy. They give 2 1/2 to 5% in donations to lobby for Israel organizations. There are 1 million dollar clubs, 500K clubs, 250K clubs, 100K clubs, 50K clubs.  They create a dynamic to always push issue of status with the desire to constantly want to move up to upper level each year.

I want Palestine to become have a democratic system. Personally believe, we will not win until we use democracy.

Corruption destroys people's spirit.

Reconciliation can be reached but you need two parties for reconciliation. One cannot do it alone.

Solidarity to end occupation is most important. Work between Israel and Palestine medical relief organizations has been excellent.

Justice should be true, honest, with equal approach.

[Side note: My independent feeling is the more I hear him speak and read his writings, increases the belief he would make an excellent president of Palestine.]

* Marilyn Robinson is one of four members of the Colorado Campaign for Middle East Peace who have joined international activists in solidarity with Palestinians nonviolently trying to end Israel's illegal military occupation of Palestine.  More on their trip at: www.ccmep.org/palestine.html