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December 14, 2004
On the Road to Becoming a Real Nation - Abbas: Using Arms in Intifada was Mistake, 'Has Got to Stop'
Topics: Middle East News and PerspectivesHa'aretz (Israel), Dec 14.
Words like these, if actually listened to by the Palestinians who then vote for the concept by voting for the man behind the words, could signal more strength in the emerging chances for peace in Palestine and Israel.
The use of weapons in the four-year-long intifada was a mistake and should end, Palestinian Liberation Organization leader Mahmoud Abbas said in an interview the to the London-based Arabic newspaper Asharq al-Awsat published Tuesday.
Abbas said that Palestinians should resist the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza without resorting to violence.
It is important to "keep the uprising away from arms because the uprising is a legitimate right of the people to express their rejection of the occupation by popular and social means," Abbas said.
(Click image to enlarge - Mahmoud Abbas)
"Using the
weapons was harmful and has got to stop," Abbas said, referring to
shootings and bombings by Palestinian militants that have killed
hundreds of Israelis since the outbreak of fighting in September 2000.
Abbas is the front-runner to replace Yasser Arafat in January 9 elections for Palestinian Authority chairman.
A pragmatist who opposes violence, Abbas has the support of Israel and the international community.
While
Arafat was still alive, Abbas told associates in closed-door meetings
that he felt the uprising was a mistake, but never went public with his
ideas, apparently because he did not want to challenge Arafat.
While
Arafat was still alive, Abbas told associates in closed-door meetings
that he felt the uprising was a mistake, but never went public with his
ideas, apparently because he did not want to challenge Arafat.
At
the time, polls also indicated that Palestinian militants enjoyed broad
public support. However, after Arafat's death, Abbas has been more
candid about his views.
Israel has said violence must end before peace talks can resume. Read More...
A further sign that the chances for peace in the region is the signing of a trade deal today which would ensure thousands of Egyptian jobs and secure the often problematic relations between Israel and Egypt. Ha'aretz
Posted by Hyscience at December 14, 2004 8:36 AM
Articles Related to Middle East News and Perspectives:
- On the Road to Becoming a Real Nation - Abbas: Using Arms in Intifada was Mistake, 'Has Got to Stop' - Dec 14, 2004
