The mainstream western narrative has conveyed for decades the myth that Palestinians are uncompromising, and the ones rejecting peace offers, thereby implying we’re responsible for our own oppression.
Arabs never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity
Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs Abba Eban, 1973
This harmful myth implies Palestinians are responsible for their own oppression.
So let’s look at some of the great “peace offers” that Palestinians rejected. Offers that never met Palestinians needs and full rights.
The UN partition plan: Yes, Palestinians in 1947 refused a plan that would give up half their land to European jewish colonizers and deny them the right to self-determination in their own land.
Would you ever accept someone drawing a border in the middle of your country, fragmenting your community and taking your house, properties and belongings?
2000 Camp David II – Ehud Barak: Palestinians rejected it as the condition was that they would give up the right of return and East Jerusalem. The sop for giving up was a “state” in the rest of the West Bank and Gaza.
2002 The Arab Peace initiative: This time Israel dismissed the offer because it didn’t want to withdraw from the territories occupied since 1967 and enable the establishment of an independent Palestinian state in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, with East Jerusalem as its capital. And of course, they reused the right of return for Palestinian refugees.
2008 Ehud Olmert offer: Palestinians disregarded this offer because they would only get 92.7 percent of the West Bank and all of the Gaza Strip, but Israel would keep their settlements in the West Bank. In return they offered a land swap giving Palestinians desert land next to the Gaza Strip. Israel would also keep areas of Jerusalem occupied by Jews.
Trump’s “Deal of the Century”:
- a Palestinian “state” under Israel’s control
- 87% of the territory annexed to Israel
- Jerusalem as Israel’s capital
- All borders controlled by Israel
- Renounce the right to return
No comments needed.
When considering the so-called “peace process” on the question of Palestine, it is necessary to have clear what process the Palestinians were dragged into in a context of settler colonial subjugation.
Palestinians will continue to confront any gaslighting and any process that falls short of meeting Palestinians fundamental rights including their right to self-determination and right of return.
The peace “offer” from the oppressor is like “a conversation between the sword and the neck” (G. Kanafani).