Is a third Palestinian Intifada inevitable ?

international | rights, freedoms and repression | opinion/analysis

Friday March 20, 2009 17:07

by Susan Murray - None

Palestinian Activists in East Jerusalem are predicting a Third Palestinian Intifada in the near future. According to some Palestinians such an outcome is inevitable to Israel's ongoing ethnic cleansing in the city. Could it be that such a thing is now not only inevitable but the only logical next step in order that Palestinian independence to be achieved.

In two reports from East Jerusalem Seth Freedman talks with the local Palestinians facing expulsion and homelessness in the near future. But Freedman warns that if Israeli authorities demolish homes in Silwan and evict families in Sheikh Jarrah they risk a violent uprising by local residents.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/mar/19/isr...ories

Freedman writes : Twice in as many hours this week I was told by outraged east Jerusalemites that any assault on Palestinian property in the area would prove the catalyst for the third intifada: a promise rather than a threat, they assured me. Standing in front of a 10ft banner demanding "Stop the ethnic cleansing", Balad leader Jamal Zahalka issued a similar clarion call into the microphones and video cameras of the on looking press pack, calling on Israeli officials to immediately halt their plans if they wished to avoid an inferno of resistance.
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The obvious response to this from the left camp and those who traditionally support Palestinian calls for independence in their ancient homeland would be to spurn the prospect of such an event out of terror for what suffering will be visited on ordinary Palestinian by the Occupation forces of Israel. And we have every reason to believe that given the right excuses Israel would indeed take the opportunity to unleash a terrible reckoning on man woman and child. But is there a point when one realises that to back any further into the corner is to surrender to eventual destruction anyway. Is that not the point of a resistance movement to know when to cease to resort to only non-violent measures and to defend ones land and rights with rebellion.
A popular uprising is probably the only single thing that can bring about Social and Political resolution between the Palestinian factions, the vital key to progress for the Independence movement at this time.
Do the Palestinians in fact have any choice? The US administration that was predicted to be the herald of a new era of change has trenchantly show already that it intends to change nothing and that Palestinian independence is politically off the table for the time being. Israel has elected an array of extreme rightist from which the next Israeli government will be formed under Netanyahu's Likud. A party whose mandate specifically prohibits Palestinian independence in the occupied territories. Their Platform clearly states:

http://www.knesset.gov.il/elections/knesset15/elikud_m.htm

" The Government of Israel flatly rejects the establishment of a Palestinian Arab state west of the Jordan river "

On the settlers the Likud Party are crystal clear also:

" The Jewish communities in Judea, Samaria and Gaza are the realization of Zionist values. Settlement of the land is a clear expression of the unassailable right of the Jewish people to the Land of Israel and constitutes an important asset in the defense of the vital interests of the State of Israel. The Likud will continue to strengthen and develop these communities and will prevent their uprooting. "
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So in black and white the government of Israel now forming already declares, before it even takes power, that it flatly rejects Palestinian right of independence and will continue to ethnically cleanse the occupied territories for settlement.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/jun/11/isr...eeast

Seth freedman quoted one of the settlers in East Jerusalem saying :

"I don't feel guilty at all about capturing their territory", said a wiry man sprawled on the grass listening intently to the music blaring out from the sound system. "If they don't like it, they can leave...... "Life's tough", shrugged Rabbi Pesach Lerner, an associate of Moskowitz who had flown in from New York for the show. "They kicked us out of here first, so now we're taking back what's ours", he boomed, warming to his theme and brushing away any dissenting opinion espoused by my friends and me.
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It seems obvious that continuing along the path of meetings and conferences under the auspices of a vehemently pro-Israel US government is completely futile and in the light of ongoing expulsion, kidnappings and house demolitions is completely suicidal from the point of view of realising independence with the remaining unannexed territories.
Israeli public has no interest in this issue with many choosing to remain completely ignorant of the explosive situation into which they are sleepwalking. The only thing that might bring their attention back to the table is Violence as has been proven again and again by their own actions. The only time Israelis take interest in Palestinians is when their army is killing them.
So given the sheer cliff face of opposition , indifference and downright imminent destruction faced by Palestinians today, perhaps the time has come for them to accept the so-called Annapolis process for the pre-termination anesthetic that it is and resort to the identified course of action in the declaration of Human in " rebellion against tyranny and oppression" , as their human rights are definitely not being protected by the rule of law.

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Comments (10 of 10)

Another Intifada?

by Fred Johnston

Tue Apr 07, 2009 13:55

Whether there is another intifada depends on Israel's perceived political needs. The last one was started, one might recall, with Ariel Sharon bullying his way around sensitive areas of Jerusalem in what was a clearly provocative gesture. If Israel feel the need for something like an intifada - though public sentiment in Israel is so far against what is perceived as a too-hawkish-for-safety administration - they will similarly provoke the Palestinians by some outrageous two-finger gesture. The US will call for restraint - which means they will not chastise the Israelis if they have to 'defend' themselves against consequences - and will repeat that Hamas is a 'terrorist' organisation. Any mention of Israel being a terrorist State will be greeted with roars of 'anti-Semitism!' and the self-defence argument. Quod erat demonstrandum.

US Abassador : Human rights = Anti- Israel Crap.

by Reporter12

Sat Apr 04, 2009 16:40

The US Obama Administration has decided to get involved with the United Nations Human Rights Council once again.
The stated objective of the action is to hinder investigaiotns into continuous Human Rights abuses by Israel in Gaza and the West Bank. A UNHCR investigation into the massacre of nearly one and a half thousand people - mostly civilians including women and children - in the Gaza strip at the a start of the year is just one of the efforts by the international community to shed light on the ongoing atrocities which the Obama administration has labelled "anti- Israel crap".

The new ambassador to the UN for the US- Susan Rice - apparently has a way with words but manages to utter some with which even decent people can probably agree.

"There's just enormous goodwill and optimism," said Rice. "I'd say even excessive expectations about President Obama and what his administration can bring."

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3696921,00.html

Barry, have you read it till the end?

by Ron

Fri Apr 03, 2009 10:16

"I do not know how many of you who read the above report believed the story, because Today is the First of April, and the above report is only April's Fool, so Happy April Fool, sometimes lies can be dreams".

Belated Wishes for new hope.

by Barry Ward

Thu Apr 02, 2009 01:25

http://www.imemc.org/article/59729

"New Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the members of Israeli Parliament (The Knesset) during his inaugural speech that in order to reach genuin and comprehensive peace with the Palestinians, the idea of Jewish state must be dropped and instead establish one democratic state for all the residents, Muslims, Jews, Christians and others to live in equally "

No dealing with Neo -Fascists

by Susan

Wed Apr 01, 2009 16:08

The New Israeli Foreign Minister, rabid racist and right wing demagog Avigdor Lieberman wasted no time in setting out his stall today. He has told Israelis that no concessions will be made and they are to prepare for war. We here in Ireland must take a very serious view towards any Irish politician who legitimises this ultra fascist war monger by meeting with him either here or in Israel or in any forum. We must punish any political party at the ballots who do business with fascists.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3695840,00.html

"Those who think that through concessions they will gain respect and peace are wrong," the new minister said. "It's the other way around; it will lead to more wars......Those who want peace should prepare for war and be strong," he added.

The Rise of Nuclear Fascism.

Wed Apr 01, 2009 10:31

Netanyahu warns that nuclear armed extremists in the middle East are the greatest threat to the world.

The biggest government Israel has ever seen has 31 ministries, many without a portfolio, in order to line the pockets of all the factions that have climbed on board this extemist right wing regime's political gravy train.

Netanyahu reiterates his rejection of the two-state solution to the conflict whilst demanding that the Palestinians accept nuclear Israel's hegemony over all of historical Palestine.

" He said that in order to achieve peace, the Palestinians “must fight terrorism and extremist Islamists”. He also demanded a full recognition of the state of Israel but did not mention any Israeli recognition of the internally guaranteed Palestinian rights of liberation and independence; nor did he even hint the Right of Return for Palestinian refugees. "

http://www.imemc.org/article/59708

Easy 4 U 2 Say.

by Ben Done

Fri Mar 27, 2009 15:25

With such a potentially genocidal government being formed in Israel at this point in time, with the likes of Lieberman and Netanyahu at the reigns, do you really think this is a good time to be advocating a violent uprising which will most certainly be welcomed by Israel as a pretext for all out massacre.
Are the comfortable Europeans now going to fight the Israeli war machine to the death with every last drop of Palestinian blood ?

Unity is the key.

by Vincent

Mon Mar 23, 2009 16:03

Ramzy Baroud reckons that the conditions for a third Palestinian Intifada have been created on the ground by Israeli intrasigience and he asserts that if for no other reason that the uniting of the Palestinian Factions such an event would be worthwhile.

" The new illegal units are built on stolen land, illegally confiscated from their rightful Palestinian owners. With such a move, Israel purposely renders the so-called two-state solution permanently incapacitated, while insisting that a one-state solution is the equivalent to the "annihilation" of the Jewish state. Israel is once again molding the very desperate environment that led to the revolts of 1987 and 2000, at the cost of thousands of lives......Indeed, it may not in the future, but a third Intifada, in the eyes of many, could accomplish one vital task. It could provide the platform for the Palestinians to reclaim their unity (despite the prevailing factionalism of today) and declare that they will struggle until the day when they finally embrace freedom. If this is all that a third Intifada accomplishes, in the eyes of many Palestinians, then it is certainly a necessary and worthy endeavor. "

http://www.countercurrents.org/baroud210309.htm

Erasing Palestinian culture

Sun Mar 22, 2009 13:27

Israeli police carry out raids against cultural events in occupied East Jerusalem which were perceived as a threat to the fascist state. In an attempt to further obliterate Palestinian existence in Jerusalem Israeli authorities have taken to arresting clowns and performers and other parties who might in some way promote Palestinian culture.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3689980,00.html

"We waited for them to set up the stage, and then we detained all those present for questioning," said the source.
No violent events were recorded throughout the day. "I hope our activity deters them and they think twice before trying to hold future rallies," the source concluded." We will continue to be on the lookout. If they try and carry out further events, we'll thwart them."

A socialist federation involving Jews and Arabs

by PADDY HACKETT

Sat Mar 21, 2009 17:27

rasherrs at eircom dot com

The correct demand is a sociaist federation that includes Arabs and Jews.

Seeking an independent Palestinian state makes no sense. Such an aim forms part of a narrow reactionary nationalism that has contributed nothing but bloodshed and misery. A communist moverment innvolving Jews and Arabs is the only way forward, Nationalism today, whatever its hue, is an obsolescent reactionary ideology and politics.

The problem is that much of the radical left including marxism-leninism have been guilty of collaborating with nationalism.

Paddy Hackett

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Is a third Palestinian Intifada inevitable ?

Comments (10 of 10)