Obama Torpedoes the Palestinian State

Presidential Nominee Barack Obama took only 14president, nor all the kings and presidents, neither any
words to effectively put paid to the idea that a thirdorganization nor all of them, be they Palestinian or
Palestinian State - in addition to Israel and Jordan - willArab, possess the right to do that.
be created during his term as President if he wins theAny attempt therefore by any Arab leader to
forthcoming election in November.abandon negotiate away or compromise on this issue
Addressing the American Israel Public Affairswould bring swift retribution from Hamas.
Committee (AIPAC) in Washington this week MrArticle 1 of the PLO Charter - whilst not as strident or
Obama declared :inflammatory in its language - makes it clear that
"… any agreement with the PalestinianPalestine is an Arab homeland - not Jewish .
people must preserve Israel's identity as a Jewish"Palestine is the homeland of the Arab Palestinian
state",people; it is an indivisible part of the Arab homeland,
Mr Obama had previously made this viewpoint veryand the Palestinian people are an integral part of the
clear when answering a question put to him at aArab nation."
meeting of 100 members of the Cleveland JewishNo amount of soothing words or diplomatic nuances
Community on 24 February 2008:can bridge the gap that these written words have
 "Israel has to remain a Jewish state and what Icreated for the negotiations that have been ongoing
believe that means is that any negotiated peacebetween Israel and the Palestinian Authority with very
between the Israelis and the Palestinians is going tolittle success for the last 15 years.
have to involve the Palestinians relinquishing the right ofWhen push comes to shove this claim to Arab
return as it has been understood in the past. And thatownership of Palestine to the exclusion of the Jews
doesn't mean that there may not be conversationswill bring any negotiations crashing down to an
about compensation issues "ignominious end, since American support for the Arab
Mr Obama - like President Bush - has now given hisposition is absolutely essential if any kind of pressure is
unequivocal support to Israel's rejection of the 40to be put on Israel to moderate its opposition to the
years old demand by the Palestinian Liberationdemanded right of return.
Organisation (PLO) - endorsed by the 22 memberIsrael has long offered to resolve the problem by
States of the Arab League - that millions of formerentering into negotiations for the payment of
Arab residents or their descendants be allowed tocompensation. Such negotiations however would also
emigrate to Israel.need to address compensation claims by Jews
Arabs already comprise 20% of Israel's existingexpelled from Arab countries since Israel's creation
population. They all are Israeli citizens enjoying thesixty years ago. It would take a very brave Arab
same rights privileges and opportunities open to theleader to agree to such negotiations. His shelf life
Jewish majority other than being required to serve inwould be very short and his use by date would soon
the armed forces. Israel is understandably reluctant toexpire.
allow the Arab sector of its population to expand otherAn Israeli proposal in 2000 to allow up to 100000
than by natural growth.Arabs to return to Israel was firmly rejected by the
No political party in Israel espousing a contrary viewArabs. It is unlikely to be offered again given the
would have any hope of gaining Government.radicalisation of the Palestinian Arabs since then..
Agreeing to such a proposal would in a very shortThis issue has been one of the major stumbling blocks
time destroy the Jewish identity of Israel and its Jewishto President Bush's Roadmap failing to even make it to
majority presently living there and replace it with anfirst base despite the backing of the European Union,
Arab identity and an Arab majorityRussia and the United Nations.
The reason for this long standing Arab demand beingNow - almost at the same time as Mr Obama's
maintained is writ large in the Charters of both Hamasspeech to AIPAC - the head of the Palestinian
and the PLO. It is considered as the political means byAuthority's negotiating team - Ahmed Qurei - has told
which Arab sovereignty can be established for thePLO activists at a meeting in Ramallah that an
first time in history in the totality of Palestine - where atagreement between Israel and the Palestinian
present Arab sovereignty exists in 77% - today calledAuthority before the new American President takes
Jordan..office next January would require a "miracle"
For Hamas - the Islamic Resistance Movement - thatNo doubt conferences, negotiations, press releases
right of return is non- negotiable and inviolate and willand Presidential statements will continue to flow until a
be pursued until the complete destruction of Israel'snew American President is in control and will continue
identity as a Jewish state is achieved .throughout the next Presidential term of office but
Article 11 of the Hamas Charter makes that very clearnothing tangible can possibly emerge until the Arabs
when stating :drop their demand for the right of return.
 "The Islamic Resistance Movement believesFor that to happen would also require a miracle.
that the land of Palestine is an Islamic Waqf [anThe region is replete with miracles that form integral
inalienable religious endowment - author ] consecratedparts of the Jewish, Islamic and Christian faiths.
for future Moslem generations until Judgement Day. It,However any hopes that either or both of these
or any part of it, should not be squandered: it, or anycurrent two miracles-in-waiting will eventuate is sheer
part of it, should not be given up. Neither a single Arabfolly.
country nor all Arab countries, neither any king or