Palestinians must act, not talk

Zakaria Al-Agha Gaza - Mohammad Habib      Zakaria Al-Agha, member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), said none of the articles of the reconciliation agreement recently ratified in Cairo are being observed by Israel. The real problem, he points out, is that it leaves Palestinian people in dismay. Al-Agha said to "Arabstoday" that the calls made by the PLO to return to negotiations while settlement activities were still going on should have urged Israel to show more cooperation to  resume the peace process. About the Israeli escalation against Gaza, Al-Agha claimed that Israel "always tried to undermine Palestine`s internal situation every time it was aiming for stability". AT: Do you see any of the articles in the agreement being implemented? ZAA: Although the meeting I had with President Mahmoud Abbas and Al Sayed Mashal was open and positive, no concrete steps were taken to implement any of the articles. Within a week, a number of meetings will be held between Fatah and Hamas in Cairo. Shortly after, a general meeting of the Executive Committee of the PLO will also be held to discuss the so-called "Temporary United Leadership", attended by Hamas and Jihad movements as well as other Palestinian groups. AT: However, everybody feels that seriousness is completely absent in the process of reconciliation. Do you agree with that? ZAA: There are certainly good intentions and many statements were made by both sides to stress seriousness as a main component of the agreement. However, what we need in Palestine is not simply to receive reassuring and comforting messages. AT: Hamas says that there are several barriers to reconciliation. What do you think about it? ZAA: Concrete actions as freeing prisoners from both sides, issuing passports to Palestinians coming from both sides and putting an end to oppression against institutions supposed to be an essential component of the relationship between us and Israel. AT: Does the current Arab unrest represent a push forward to reconciliation? ZAA: Of course, the Arab spring is a good boost for reconciliation, as each side has its reasons for it. To Hamas, Syria represents a source of concern as part of its officials will have to be brought back to Gaza.On the other hand, Fatah will be in a great dilemma too as long as the political situation is not settled with Israel. Both movements are in huge need to end divisions and to unite with one another to face such challenges. AT: How does the PLO see the calls for returning to negotiations? ZAA: Such calls should be attributed to Israel, as Fatah didn`t ask to take any further step in terms of negotiations as long as settlement construction goes on. Moreover, the UN should pressure Israel to observe the obligations set by the peace process in accordance with UN resolution No. 242, 338 and 194 and to recognise the State of Palestine. AT: What are your thoughts on rumours about a potential agreement on taking back a number of Fatah officials from Egypt to Gaza?” ZAA: The agreement you are talking about is part of the confidence-building process between the two sides. There is a list of 100 names of Fatah officials who must return to Gaza. Egypt is intervening now to convince Hamas to put an end to this matter. AT: Representative Mohamed Dahlan announced his return to Gaza. Mahmoud El Zahar, the Hamas member, said that such a return will be conditional…what do think about that? ZAA: It is a right guaranteed to any Palestinian to return home. And if we are calling upon the right of return for refugees, how would a Palestinian deprive his brothers from this right? Dahlan has the right to return to Gaza and any controversies should be solved later. I believe statements by institutional figures should favour the atmosphere of reconciliation instead of acting against it. AT: Is it possible to hold the elections by the 4th of May? ZAA: The date of the elections is not something sent from above, it is a targeted decision. If everything goes well, enough space will be given to Hamas in the West Bank and the same will be done with Fatah in Gaza. Moreover, we have to reach an agreement on the Central Elections Commission. This way we will go to the elections on time, but if more barriers persist, there will be no elections at all. AT: Is Fatah ready for these elections?" ZAA: I believe Fatah is ready and I have already seen steps being taken in that direction. However, Gaza still needs time, as it is forbidden to do organisational work there.