ME talks no recipe for peace

Palestinian Islamic Jihad warns that the US-brokered talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA) do not herald peace.

“All the world must know that these negotiations are meaningless and it does not mean that peace will spread all over the Arab world and especially Palestine,” said the group’s Secretary General Ramadan Shallah on Wednesday.

Direct negotiations between Israel and the PA resumed in Washington on Thursday after about 20 months.

Talks broke off at the turn of 2009, when Israel launched a full-scale war on the Gaza Strip, killing more than 1,400 Palestinians.

The PA was reportedly railroaded into joining the talks after inordinate United States pressure, including Washington’s threats that the PA would lose American ties, should it raise any objections.

“All the world knows that these negotiations are not for Palestine’s favor but it is a way to cover the Israeli crimes toward our land and people. This behavior must be stopped,” Shallah noted.

The talks have resumed amid Tel Aviv’s continued refusal to completely halt its construction of illegal Jewish settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Many Palestinian groups are dismissive of the process, citing the White House’s partiality towards Tel Aviv and saying that acting PA Chief Mahmoud Abbas does not represent all the Palestinians.

Israel claimed existence in 1948, when it occupied the Palestinian land alongside vast expanses of other Arab territories during full-fledged military operations.

In 1967, it went on to annex the other Palestinian territory of West Bank — a move not recognized by the international community.

The area encompasses al-Quds (Jerusalem), whose eastern part is hailed as the capital of any potential Palestinian state.

Shallah, who is also a notable academic, said, “Both Islamic and Arab world must stick together and remind the enemy that we did not forget our belonging, otherwise they will think that we are weak and we do not care about this precious al-Quds.”

“All people must realize that when al-Quds is in danger, Palestine is in danger too as well as the whole world. This is our message for Arabs, Muslims and for the whole world. We are asking the whole world to realize the danger that is surrounding us.”

Iranians, who have likewise condemned the talks, besides Muslims across the world, are expected to express solidarity with the Palestinians during mass rallies on the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan, declared as the Quds Day by the late founder of Iran’s Islamic Revolution, Imam Khomeini.

The Islamic Jihad leader hailed the occasion, to be held on September 3.

“Quds Day is a symbol of Palestine’s holiness. It is a Palestinian day that they must care about. This day has an important meaning to all Muslims and Arabs that must be revived.”