Palestinian Liberation Requires Unity - by Stephen Lendman
Israel promotes division.
PLO Executive Committee member Hanan Ashrawi wants EU help to end Israel's occupation. She said America's preoccupied with elections and grossly biased for Israel.
Calling the current situation "dangerous" she said Israel's "dragging the region into the abyss." As a result, urgent EU help is needed "to end the occupation."
EU nations know their obligations under international law, including Geneva's Common Article 1. Requiring all nations enforce them, it states:
"The High Contracting Parties undertake to respect and to ensure respect for the present Convention in all circumstances."
Moreover, Lisbon Treaty (December 2009) principles require EU nations affirm fundamental freedoms, peace, democracy, human rights and dignity, justice, equality, the rule of law, security, tolerance, solidarity, mutual respect among peoples, the rights of the child, strict adherence to the UN Charter and international law, environmental protection, and sustainable development.
They also mandate preventing conflicts and combatting social exclusion and discrimination.
So far, EU nations, like America, provide one-sided support for Israel. Palestinians must rely on their own will as one people united for liberation in peace.
On January 8, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh addressed a cheering Tunisia crowd, saying Israel faces tough times ahead. Bullying costs it allies. Revolutionary dignity and pride have arrived.
"We promise that we will not cede a single part of Palestine. We will not cede Jerusalem. We will continue to fight and we will not lay down our arms.""To Tunisia we say: It is us today who are going to build the new Middle East."
Hamas wages nonviolent struggle. It responds defensively after repeated Israeli attacks. Tunisia's ruling Islamist Ennahda party organized the rally. Around 5,000 attended. They walked over a cloth displaying Israel's Star of David and shouted anti-Israeli slogans. Across the region, justifiable anti-Israeli street sentiment is strong.
On January 9, Hamas Political Bureau Chairman Khaled Mashal called for Palestinian unity, saying:
"Our country is more important than partisan interest. We need a transitional period. We hope it will not be long until we can cooperate."
