A Palestinian state: Does it deserve world recognition?

Bradley Burston examines the right of Palestine to exist. He makes the point that the Palestinans seem intent on destroying Israel, and that no state should have the right to exist at the expense of destroying another state.

 

There is a certain stubborn irony in the circumstance that a central stumbling block to international recognition of the legitimacy of the Palestinian government's right to exist, has been that government's refusal to recognize the legitimacy of Israel's right to exist.

 

Stated differently, the movement to found a Palestinian state has not been well-served by the strategy of suggesting that the very establishment of its neighbor Israel was a historical abomination.

 

Nor was the cause moved far forward this week, when Hamas, stung by Al-Qaida criticism of its coalition deal with Fatah, declared it was still committed to Israel's destruction.

 

Defending itself to Osama Bin Laden's deputy Ayman al-Zawahri, who said "They have ditched the movement of martyrdom operations ? for a government that plays with words in palace halls," Hamas was quick to issue a statement of reassurance:

 

"We will not betray promises we made to God to continue the path of jihad and resistance until the liberation of Palestine, all of Palestine."

But Burston forgot to ask the prior question: Does a Palestinian  Authority that is committed to the destruction of Israel have the right to exist? The PA came into being under the Oslo Interim Agreement ostensibly as a negotiating partner that would settle a peace agreement with Israel. Now the Hamas, who are running the PA government, insist that they will never recognize Israel. What conclusion must be drawn?

 

The platform of the Palestinian Unity Government  insists that the occupation began 60 years ago, and that it will not stop "resistance" until the occupation is ended and the refugees of 1948 are allowed to "return" to Israel.

 

Ami Isseroff

 

Ami Isseroff