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A Declaration to the Peaceful and Progressive People of Israel and the World
Fatah-Tanzim Statement September 10, 2002
On the occasion of the second anniversary of the launching of the Intifada, the leadership and the cadre of the Palestinian National Liberation Movement, Fatah, would like to express our appreciation and admiration for the legendary and heroic steadfastness of our people, the sacrifices of our martyrs, and the steadfastness of our captives and those injured during the Intifada. We would like to seize this opportunity to announce and declare to the peaceful and coexistence loving forces all over the world that:
- We remain committed to our legitimate right to resist the occupation of our land occupied in 1967, and we remain committed to our legitimate rights in spite of all of the occupation's aggressive actions, the destructive settlements, the exiles, house demolitions, the targeting of our holy sites, the land confiscations, arrests, curfews, closures, assassinations, the turning of our cities, villages and refugee camps into prisons, after the humiliation of our people and our leadership, after the destruction of our orchards, and other illegal acts. We now pledge that we will continue our resistance until our people achieve their legal national right of return and self-determination, and the establishment of the independent State of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital consistent with relevant international resolutions;
- In accordance with our legitimate right of freedom and independence, we will continue our resistance against the occupation with all legitimate means. We strongly condemn all the aggressive measures of the occupation including targeting Palestinian civilians. And in accordance with the higher interests of the Palestinian people, and with our moral values, tolerant religions and belief; we, the Fatah movement reject and we will prevent any attacks against Israeli civilians. We are aware that the continuation of the Israeli occupation and aggression and the targeting of our women, children and homes will lead to individual responses; nevertheless, we are committed to following this political line and we will work to prevent all attacks on civilians in keeping with our human values and this important human principle.
- In the name of the Fatah organization, on behalf of both its leaders and on behalf of its cadres in this our homeland and in the name of Palestinians in exile and in the Diaspora, we all reconfirm our support for our elected leader, Yasser Arafat, who is the symbol of Palestinian patriotism. We will resist all external attempts to interfere in internal Palestinian politics. The Palestinian people alone have the right to choose their leaders.
- We choose peace. We call on Israeli society to work with us to put an end to the continuous suffering of the two peoples. We believe in the importance of the continuity of dialogue between Palestinians and Israelis. We seek to achieve peace immediately and are ready to fulfill the requirements of this peace upon finding a partner on the Israeli side. The only choice we have is to live side by side in two neighboring states, in security and peace, far from hatred, violence, and war.
- We send our children to schools under curfews, sieges, and their fear of Israeli tanks and soldiers. We hope and pray that this declaration contributes to building a new reality and a better future for both of our children, so that they can play, celebrate their holidays, and grow up free without fear and occupation. We both must exclude children from the circle of this conflict.
- Maintaining the unity of all Palestinian political organizations represents a vital necessity to preserving our national achievements, strengthening our legitimate resistance to occupation and achieving our national rights. This unity must be based on the existence of a single authority, as well as participation in building democratic institutions. We will continue our national dialogue and we will continue our efforts to convince our people and political forces of the rationality of this direction and of its vital importance. We call on all Palestinian organizations to stop targeting Israeli civilians, in accordance with the interests of our people.
- We will build an independent State of Palestine and a political system in accordance with the principles of democracy, the rule of law, with an independent judicial system, separation of powers, respect for human rights, civil liberties, and a market economy. We will build a state whose institutions are ruled by administrative and financial transparency, free of corruption. We will build a state for all Palestinians, under one government, that protects the heritage of the Palestinian people while respecting their dignity, freedom and security. We will build a state that guarantees a peaceful succession of authority, far from violence and coercion, that works on achieving the comprehensive development of the individual as well as the society, on the basis of equality and justice, without any segregation based on color, sex, religion, race, or geography. Ours will be the state of law and institutions, that prides itself on its political and cultural pluralism, and of religious tolerance, and that builds internal peace. We will create a modern state that believes in openness, and in the dialogue between cultures and civilizations, regionally and internationally.
- We extend our appreciation to all countries and parties that stand by our national and legitimate rights and by our legitimate resistance to occupation. We call on the international community to stand with us in implementing this vision, and we call on them to exert pressure on the government of Israel to end settlement activities, to end assassinations, to end all aggressive acts against our people, to end the occupation of our land, and to demand the immediate release of all prisoners who are detained and brutally tortured in squalid camps.
- We call for an immediate return to negotiations to resolve the Palestinian problem in accordance with the international norms, within a clear and specific achievable time-table; we believe this is an essential factor that is the true means to achieve stability in this sensitive region of the world.
Let us work together, Palestinians, Israelis, and all peace seekers in the world, to achieve peace in the land of peace.
On behalf of:
The Palestinian National Liberation Movement (Fatah)
and its organization - the Tanzim
"The army that will defeat terrorism doesn't wear uniforms, or drive
Humvees, or calls in air-strikes. It doesn't have a high command, or
high security, or a high budget. The army that can defeat terrorism
does battle quietly, clearing minefields and vaccinating children. It
undermines military dictatorships and military lobbyists. It subverts
sweatshops and special interests.Where people feel powerless, it
helps them organize for change, and where people are powerful, it
reminds them of their responsibility." ~~~~ Author Unknown ~~~~
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