Barghuothi: Israeli claims concerning the peace initiative are simply deceiving

Saturday July 28, 2007 15:48 by IMEMC Staff - IMEMC News

Dr. Mustafa Al-Barghuothi the general secretary of the Palestinian National Initiative faction confirmed today that the Israeli allegations of the peace initiative are simply deceiving. Adding, it is just another way of by passing the final status of peace negotiations with the Palestinians.

His statements came during a conference held in the southern West Bank city of Bethlehem on Saturday. Dr. Al-Barghuothi added that the Israeli talk about pulling out from 90% of the West Bank is false due to status of the current geopolitical map. Israel is planning to pull out from 90% of the 50% of the West Bank left over after constructing the wall, and annexing major illegal Israeli settlements to Israel also excluding Jerusalem and the Jordanian Valley.

The Palestinian official said that no Palestinian will accept the creation of a Palestinian state, without sovereignty over Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine. He also reiterated the hazards of creating a Palestinian temporary state, without the dismantling of all illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank in addition to the Israeli withdrawal of all the lands it occupied in 1967. The new Israeli peace plan according to Al-Barghuothi is meant to disrupt the idea of an independent Palestinian state turning it to cantons, following example of the South African apartheid regime.

Al-Barghuothi pointed out that Bush was convening an international meeting and not an international peace conference, highlighting the most serious campaign statements made by Bush and Olmert in an attempt to separate the Palestinian state on the final issue. This will mean converting a fully sovereign Palestinian state into a state within temporary boarders.

Dr. Al-Barghuothi explained that the Salvation Initiative which was initiated by his political faction, along with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine is an initiative aimed at escaping from the political crisis the Palestinians are facing. He also added that there is a great danger threatening the Palestinian future due to the state of segregation and infighting in the political Palestinian arena.

Finally Dr. Al-Barghuothi warned of the risks the Palestinian nation is facing on a daily basis. He claims this is due to the Israeli army's continuous attacks and the deterioration in the level of livelihood which the Palestinian nation is facing. He also emphasizes the importance of the unifying role that the PFLP and his own political faction, the Palestinian National Initiative is doing to put an end to the internal Palestinian power struggle.

Translated by Ghassan Bannoura – IMEMC News Room

bethlehem | palestinian politics | news report ghassanb at imemc dot org