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Mahmoud Abbas capitulated, betraying his people again. It's the same role he's played at least since Oslo when as chief Palestinian negotiator he agreed to surrender Palestinian land, their legitimate rights, and end opposition resistance. Then as president, became a coup d'etat leader, collaborating for aid and special favors.
His earlier betrayal got PA economy minister, Bassem Khoury, to resign in protest. PA minister for Jerusalem affairs, Hatem Abdel-Qader, also left, saying his government failed to resist home demolitions, explaining:
"I prefer not to be part of such a government and continue enjoying personal and financial gains, and quit instead."
Moreover, 16 human rights organizations condemned the PA's latest action, a joint statement demanding accountability after decades of impunity, one passage saying:
"The belief that accountability and the rule of law can be brushed aside in the pursuit of peace is misguided. (Sustainable) peace can only be built on human rights, on justice, and the rule of law....As human rights organizations, we strongly condemn the Palestinian leadership's decision to defer the proposal of the international community. Such pressure is in conflict with States international obligations, and is an insult to the Palestinian people."
Signatories included the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights, BADIL Resource Center for Palestinian Residency and Refugee Rights, Physicians for Human Rights/Israel, Public Committee Against Torture in Israel, Addamer, Defense for Children International/Palestine Section, Adalah, Al Haq, Arab Association for Human Rights, among others.
A Final Comment
Goldstone's report isn't dead, but it's on life support. Nonetheless, HRC's Committee of Experts remains active, headed by John Dugard, former UN Special Human Rights Rapporteur for Occupied Palestine. However, whether or not it will matter is worrisome, given forces for delay, obstruct and whitewash in control. Wresting it from them may prove insurmountable, but serious efforts must be made to try. Otherwise, predictable consequences will follow, assuring violence, unaccountability and injustice.
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