Self-protection only way for Palestinians

Palestinians have intensified their armed attacks against Israel to protect themselves and regain their lost rights after they were let down by the Arab League and the United Nations, according to a political study published in the UAE yesterday.

A study by Mohammed Al Majdoub, Head of the Beirut-based Arab Political Science Organisation, said although the UN Security Council and the Cairo-based Arab League have often issued strong resolutions against Israel, they have had no effect on Tel Aviv's aggressions and repressive policies as they lack concrete moves.

Majdoub states: "In a nutshell, all those organisations, criminal courts and human rights groups have been unable to ensure protection for the Palestinian people.

"It is true that the main responsibility has to be shouldered by the UN, but this organisation has become dominated by the United States, which has proved to be a party to the Arab-Israeli conflict. Because of such a position by Washington, we cannot rely on it to resolve any conflict.

"The Palestinians then are left with only one alternative, which is self-protection, as we see they are now relying on themselves against Israel's brutality backed by the limited support by some public organisations inside the Arab world and outside it."

The study, published in the Public Affairs bulletin of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's office, said Palestinians and Arab countries have frequently been frustrated by the UN's failure to take any concrete action to stop Israel's aggressions.

It noted that the UN Security Council and the General Assembly have often denounced Israel but added such decisions have only remained 'ink on paper'.

"Let us always remember that the Palestinian people have succeeded in wresting international recognition through an armed struggle rather than the UN resolutions.

"Algeria's freedom was also born in the battlefield not on the UN platform and Vietnam which has fought off the biggest imperialist power never asked for protection from anyone."

Majdoub strongly criticised the Arab League which, he said, was supposed to be a more efficient institution in accordance with its charter and founding principles.

He said one of the main objectives of the League is to safeguard and protect its members against external threats and help members under occupation to restore freedom.

"A review of all Arab League positions and resolutions towards Palestine shows that they were characterised by impotence and failure. In fact, with its waning position, the Arab League is no longer qualified to achieve its goals.

"Signs of weakness are prevailing over all its moves as we see in its dubious silence towards what is going on in the region. Even if it has the chance to say something, it comes out with just ambiguous or hesitant words that have no effect.

"If we review its attitudes towards recent issues, we find nothing of importance. For example, what has it done over what is going on in Algeria, Sudan and Somalia? What is its stand towards the siege against some Arab states, especially Iraq?

"What is its stand towards some of the Arab regimes which race towards Israel, deal with it commercially, revive its economy or get close to its leaders and their American allies, and what is its stand towards the Palestinian Intifada, which has gained just one Arab meeting full of empty promises?

"Finally, the organisation which is unable to resolve an internal Arab conflict cannot stand in the face of an external enemy repressing an Arab nation demanding its rights."