January, 2002

The Impact of 11 September on the Palestinian Issue

Dr. Emad Gad

With the United States preparing for its campaign against terrorism, Israel and the Palestinian Authority became engaged in a hectic race to win the support of the US administration. Both parties have been giving priority to enhancing their positions in US discourse. The United States, however, which has always been prepared to accept and defend the Israeli perspective, does not provide a similar or equal chance for the Palestinian party.

While both Israel and the Palestinian Authority condemned the attacks of 11 September, Israel's linking of the attacks to the suicide missions taking place against Israelis soon led to fingers of accusation being pointed at Islamic movements. Israel indicted a number of Arab countries for harbouring terrorism and intensified its coercive attacks against the Palestinians.

US president George Bush declared that the US administration has never been against the declaration of a Palestinian state on the condition that Israel's right of existence is respected and its security guaranteed. The events of 11 September made it clear for Washington that the continuation of the Arab-Israeli conflict is no longer acceptable and that US policy should no longer serve as a patron of the Israeli agenda. Yet the consequences of recent events and the suicide operations carried out by Palestinians in the heart of Israel against civilians have given Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon the opportunity to turn the situation to his advantage.

Following the recent suicide operations in Israel, Washington launched a diplomatic attack against the Palestinians and the Arab countries at a time when the opposite should have taken place. This should have been a time for negotiation on controversial issues such as Jerusalem and refugees. Had this been the case, the different Palestinian organisations could have come out of this dilemma with the least possible losses on the regional and international levels. Priority should have been given to the protection of Palestinian national unity, giving no chance for Washington to render armed resistance a criminal act or include it among acts of terrorism. Had such unity been achieved, the Palestinian Authority could have gained the control it needs.