'Israel planning to reinvade Palestine'

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, APRIL 1. A visiting Palestinian delegation, headed by Mr. Fati Abu Alardap, Palestinian National Council member, said here on Sunday that the Palestinians were expecting an escalation of the conflict between Israel and Palestine.

Addressing a `Meet-the-Press' programme at the Press Club here, the Mr. Alardap and Ms. Almina Sulaiman, who represents the General Union of Palestine Women, said that they had information that Israel was planning to reinvade Palestine. "We are ready to fight them."

They said that 500 people had been killed, 15,000 maimed and 25,000 injured in the recent attacks by Israel on Palestinians. Children had been targeted by Israel so that there would be fewer fighters in future. Houses had been set on fire and tress and plantations destroyed.

They said the chances of peace had diminished further with Mr. Ariel Sharon becoming the Prime Minister of Israel. He was a person responsible for several massacres of Palestinians in the past. His election indicated that the Jewish people were not ready for peace. Israel was not working for peace, and the United States was not sincere in brokering peace.

They said that the Palestinians knew that peace was not a practical proposition. However, they cooperated with the peace process as a tactical policy. Peace would be possible only when all legitimate rights of Palestinians are recognised. Israel was not willing to go by the Oslo agreement, which specified withdrawal of Israeli forces from occupied territories in five years, and recognised the refugee (Palestinians who are refugees in Arab and other countries) problem. "Thus, peace is in intensive care."

They said that they did not consider that there had been any change in the United States policy with the change in administration. The U.S. President, Mr. George W. Bush, was following the same policy followed by his predecessors. Israel could act in a barbaric manner because of American support. The United States was even proposing to move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem to buttress the Israel claim on Jerusalem.

Asked about India's improved relations with Israel, the delegates said that they were not happy with any action that is pro-Israel. "However, we cannot impose our policies on other countries. India's relationship with Israel was its internal matter. We are confident that Indian people and its political parties would be supporting the Palestinian cause and peace in the Middle East. Our people are struggling for peace, freedom and democracy."

They said that 13 organisations ranging from religious fundamentalists to Marxists were now working as a united front under the umbrella of Palestine Liberation Organisation for the Palestine cause. The 320-member National Council had members representing the Palestinian diaspora. They included 88 members of the legislative council of representatives of people living in Palestine. The election to the Council was held in the presence of international observers.

The Chief of Information Division of the Council, Mr. Hesham Dibsi, and leader of India-Palestine Solidarity Organisation, Mr. M. A. Baby, attended the programme.

The visit of the delegation has been cut short by five days in view of the Israeli attacks and killings in Palestine. The delegation members will be addressing meetings in all districts except Wayanad, Idukki and Pathanamthitta from April 3 to 9, starting from Kasaragod on April 3, under the aegis of the Organisation.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Southern States
Previous : Supplyco backtracks on sale of liquor
Next     : Computerised police depts. soon