Palestinian Finance Minister Salam Fayyad (pictured) got op-ed space in the LA Times. How does he write this with a straight face?
Because Hamas’ political platform did not conform to key elements of the peace process, including Palestinian recognition of Israel’s right to exist and a commitment to renounce violence, the international community imposed sanctions on the Palestinian Authority.
Although much of the discussion leading to the formation of the unity government has focused on these two commitments, their validity should not have been much in question. After all, these commitments were made by the Palestine Liberation Organization, the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, in a crystal-clear and binding agreement in 1993, and no Palestinian government has the authority to revoke them. In fact, the unity government’s platform explicitly states that it will honor all PLO agreements, which, to be sure, include these two commitments.
“To be sure?” Fayad should know better.
1. A look at the PA unity government platform doesn’t bear out Fayyad’s claims. See here for details.
2. Abbas’ primary task as required by the road map was to dismantle the infrastructure of terror. Instead, Abbas asked Hamas to form a government.
3. The PLO isn’t the “sole representative” of the Palestinian people. The overwhelming number of Palestinians voted for Hamas — which never joined the more secular PLO. Even during the pre-Oslo years, the Tunisia-based PLO nearly faded into obscurity while Israel dealt with local Palestinians on the ground.
4. Mahmoud Abbas’ legitimacy stems from his position as popularly elected President of the Palestinian Authority. He was only chosen as PLO chairman by cadres of the member organizations after Yasser Arafat died. The Palestinians need democracy, and they also need to live with the consequences of their choice of votes. The PA is the democratic and legitimate representative of the Palestinians, who have elected Hamas — warts and all.
