IF ANY LESSON can be learned from the Israeli government's rejection of the Geneva Accords, it should be that - as with Oslo -the Zionist establishment has no intention of compromising one inch on the eternally thorny issues of settlements, the status of Jerusalem, refugees, and borders. Zionism is on the offensive and has no intention of endus a call. I want to join Socialist Resistance Youth Name... Address. Mobile.
Wing the occupation. In this climate, it may appear unrealistic to argue that there must be a single Palestinian state. Commentators from Freedland to Michael Moore have recently offered thoughtful, coherent arguments in favour of a two-state settlement. This also appears to be the general consensus within the Scottish Socialist Party at present. Join Socialist Resistance Youth! If you agree with what you see in this supplement and want to get involved, why not join us? Simply fill in the form and send it to us - or give
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La single, secular, democratic Palestine, championed by Professor Naseer H. Aruri and the Jonathan
others, looks at the question from the Palestinian perspective rather than the view from the West. Nobody
However, an alternative view, in favour of Arab commentator Rifat Odeh Kassis among urban capital. denies that the Occupied Territories are currently characterised by tion of apartheid unfeasible society. land Published by Socialist Resistance, PO Box | 109 London N4 2UU. Printed by East End Offset, London E3
Apartheid Wall, which is three times as
In this climate, it is fantasy to imagine that a two-state solution is viable. Israel would have the wealth and power and the patronage of the United States, and would continue
Conflict will not end while Israelis feel that (a) they are the window of civilised, western values in the Middle East, and (b) 'the Arabs wish to push them into the sea.
On top of this, there cannot be a just
the refugee problem if Jerusalem is annexed by the Zionists - even Palestinian East Jerusaem is encircled by settlements and Israeli bypasses, making it impossible for Palestinians to develop their
The ideal of a secular, democratic Palestine was always the mainstay of the Palestinian left, most prominently George Habash and Leile Khaled's PFLP. However, this idea has faded from popular discourse much as the Arab left has faded generally.
On the other hand, there can be no quickfix answers to the Palestinian question and it is preferable to take the long view than to settle for a shaky second-best.
Edward Said stated that it may take fifty years, but eventually the shared history of the two peoples will bring them together. By 2010 there will be demographic parity between the peoples, making the continuaIn a similar vein, Palestinian intellectual Nadim Rohanna believes that the struggle will evolve from being a dispute over territo- capitalism. ry and sovereignty to a conflict over power sharing and equality in the form of a secular
Another notable advocate is writer and activist Ghada Kharmi, who contends that the Occupied Territories are bi-national in all but name anyway, so the secular state is actually more pragmatic than the Zionist attempt at creating a jewish state in another people's
Meanwhile, the centre-left thinktank Israel pleading with the US or UN to intervene. It lies in a worldwide boycott of Israeli goods, participation in the solidarity campaigns; the ISM witnesses' to Israeli atrocities; a cultural and academic boycott of Israel; and the linking of the Palestinian struggle with the wider struggle against imperialism and capitalism. movement in solidarity with the Palestinians and in support of a secular state
The answer does not lie in pleading with the US or UN to intervene.
It lies in a worldwide boycott of Israel goods; participation in the solidarity campaigns; the ISM 'witnesses' to Israeli atrocities; a cultural and academic boycott of Israel; and the linking of the Palestinian struggle with the wider struggle against imperialism and
The people who took to the streets to protest the invasion of Iraq; the ESF and WSF; trade union activists; the movement for global justice; those struggling against racism and fascism; those who organise solidarity with the people of Colombia and Cuba -these are the natural allies of the Palestiniar
Only a single, secular state can prevent constant expansion of Zionist and US colo nialism in the Middle East.
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European Social Forum