Israel Matzav

New 'Palestinian' political faction formed in Lebanon

A new 'Palestinian' political faction has been founded in Lebanon. If you think that it's going to advocate for things like equal rights for 'Palestinians' in Lebanon so that they can hold normal jobs and have decent living conditions without discrimination, you're wrong.

“The living condition of the Palestinian people has reached boiling point because of Israeli political obstinacy, and the American support of this,” Bilal Al-Hassan, a Palestinian journalist, writer and co-founder of the organization said at the launching ceremony. “This situation will now be translated into action and advancement.”

The exact nature of the movement’s policies remains unclear but leaders of the organization plan to meet in May to “decide on its actions democratically.”

The movement, which is declaredly independent, opposes negotiations and supports resistance against the Israeli occupation but insists armed combat is “not its objective”.

“There are martyrdom factions for this purpose that engage in resistance and we give them our blessing,” Al-Hassan told the London-based A-Sharq Al-Awsat.

“By establishing a Zionist entity on Palestinian land, [the Zionists] are targeting Arabs,” the movement’s manifesto says. “Resisting the occupation in all its forms is an obligation, not just a right. Any talks about a just and permanent peace which is based on recovering parts of the land that were occupied in 1967 or even all of it would effectively accomplish the Israeli aim of this war which is to garner acceptance of Israel’s existence and legitimacy, without solving the Palestinian issue and without granting them their rights.”

“Achieving peace between the Arab and non-Arab nations and individuals can be done regardless of their sectarian roots and religious inclinations but peace is not obtainable with the occupation,” it continues. “The Oslo approach is a second nakba [catastrophe], but the difference is that this nakba was furnished by the Palestine Liberation Organization.”

One of the founders of the movement is Azmi Bishara (pictured) who resigned from the Knesset and fled Israel ahead of an indictment for treason.

The more things change for the 'Palestinians,' the more they stay the same. They've gained a lot in the last 60 years, haven't they? What could go wrong?

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 11:22 AM