Abu Dhabi TV holds telethon for Palestinians

Sentiments are running high all across the Arab World, where popular sympathy for the Palestinians is deep. It is because of Arab satellite channels the Arab street mobilised its efforts in support of the Palestinians and their Intifada.

Abu Dhabi Television yesterday joined in organising a telethon in support of the Palestinians. Viewers were asked to offer their donations to the UAE Red Crescent Society (RCS) which delivers relief aid to the Palestinians in the Occupied Territories.

RCS officials when contacted by Gulf News yesterday did not reveal the amount of donations saying the fundraising campaign was going on and final figures were not yet worked out.

The television dedicated air-time to broadcast demonstrations being staged in Abu Dhabi, images of the Israeli atrocities taking place in the West Bank and interviews with steadfast Palestinians, officials and media professionals.

Haidar Abul Shafi, chief Palestinian negotiator in the Madrid peace conference, told Abu Dhabi Television that the tragic situation in the Occupied Territories is partly blamed on the lack of organisation on the part of the Palestinians and Arabs.

"Israel is proceeding with its flagrant aggression on the Palestinians and the entire world is watching. This is weird.

"And now what are we supposed to do? Should we go back to the negotiation table? This contradicts the sprit of the intifada. We have no option but to have a better level of organisation in order to exploit the rest of our energy. Had we been more organised we would have drawn the attention of the world," Abdul Shafi said.

In the recent months of the intifada scores Palestinians have been killed. Thousands have been injured. The entire population is now blockaded. Israeli Armed Forces are targeting Palestinian leaders for selective assassination. All these are meant to make the Palestinians accept the reality of the Israeli occupation and give up the struggle and sign 'a surrender agreement'.

But this Israeli strategy seems to be backfiring. Palestinians are not scared and many think the peace process is a fraud. Hence the ongoing resistance. Abdul Shafi sees the official Arab stand "less than the expectations".

"This is because we have no democracy in the Arab world. There must be an organised and committed stand to counter Israel's schemes.

However, Abdul Bari Atwan, Editor of the London-based Al Quds Al Arabi newspaper, sees a major change in the western public opinion. "British Prime Minister Tony Blair is now going to Washington fearing British public opinion in the Palestinian and Iraq causes. This is a positive change and the Arab World should build on this.