As Fatah convenes its first conference in two decades in Bethlehem, there is universal agreement that Fatah will not change its Charter which calls for the eradication of the Zionist entity (the State of Israel), the establishment of a Palestinian (Zionist free) state with its capital Jerusalem (there is no East or West division), and a commitment to continue resistance against the State of Israel. President Abbas's opening speech emphasized "the right to resistance."

There is also general agreement that Fatah will not recognize any Jewish State nor will it drop its insistence that Arabs have the right to lay claim to land in the State of Israel.(At a recent Fatah graduation ceremony Haiffa and other Israeli cities were said to be part of Palestine.)

In the eyes of the Obama Administration, the European Union, Peace Now Left wing activists, Fatah are "moderates" and worthy negotiating partners for the State of Israel.

Only diplomats with a skewered view of reality would call Fatah moderate or a negotiating partner. They are neither.

They are a corrupt group of opportunists, who are propped up by funds provided to them by the West, the United Nations, and Arab States. They also receive political assistance from the likes of Hillary Clinton and European diplomats. Just yesterday, Clinton berated Israel and took the side of the Palestinians in the controversy over the removal of two families who were illegally occupying a building in Jerusalem. Clinton put the weight of the United States behind unsubstantiated and untrue claims that the removal was a political decision by the State of Israel. When in fact it was a decision by Israel's independent judical system, that more often than not sides with the Palestinians.

But once again the facts play second fiddle to politics. Clinton and the Obama Administration are once again currying favor with the "moderates" by demonizing Israel. And there are reports that the Obama Administration is preparing a full scale public relations campaign to try and force Israel to make concessions that will endanger the Jewish State and it will not result in even a baby-step toward peace

Likud Communications Minister Yuli Edelstein summarized the Fatah leadership and conference in this way:

 

"Are these the moderate leaders the world wants us to hold negotiations with?" he asked. "My feeling is that we are not interested in listening to the voices calling for an armed struggle, for the right of return and for the establishment of a capital of their own in Jerusalem.

 

"We are pretending not to hear the clear trend demonstrated by Abu Mazen (Abbas) and his people to adapt themselves to Hamas," the information minister said.

 

"Our main task is to act in the international arena and explain the difference between dreams and reality," he continued. "There they are doing the easiest thing - accusing Israel of refusing to freeze construction in Jerusalem. They don't see that what is happening in Bethlehem and what is being said there is not being said by Hamas, Hezbollah or (Syrian President) Bashar Assad.

 

"This is Fatah we are talking about, those who the international community is allegedly pushing us to negotiate with. If anyone should talk about settlements endangering peace, the most violent and extreme settlement is the Palestinian state, which will be established and run by the 'moderate' speaking today at the Fatah conference."

Interesting look at the radicalization of Fatah.


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