Casa, Rio de Janeiro (Israel-Palestina, [sorry Mafra!])

Mudando só ligeiramente de assunto, abaixo segue um post meu, originalmente no Harry's Place, que fez algum sucesso. O post é uma tentativa de explicar porque eu acho que a formação de um estado independente palestino é um objetivo louvavel, mas os meios usados para atingi-lo foram e são os piores possiveis; e como isso contribuiu para a série de catastrofes pelas quais passou (e passa) o povo palestino. Um tanto petulantemente, eu então listo o que eu acho que a liderança palestina poderia ter feito diferente, com chances muito maiores de sucesso.

I don't pretend this is an easy question. Any list is bound to be simplistic; certainly none of the things I suggest would be easy. But, considering that the accomplishments of the Palestinian national movement these past 60 years have been non-existent, if not negative, they were at least worth a try.

First, historically a Palestinian state could have been created if
a) The 1947 partition plan had been accepted, or even if the principle of partition had been accepted.
b) A Palestinian state could have been created at any time between 48 and 67.

This is history now, a history HP threads have dissected in nanoscopic details multiple times.

Under the present context of being under occupation, Palestinians, or their leaders, might try to:

1) Have a realistic, non genocidal goal. Wiping Israel off the map is neither. Establishing an independent state in the occupied territories is. Work exclusively towards the goal. Ignore revenge, getting even, paying back or pointless venting of anger. Focus on the goal.

2) Act together. Having multiple groups with fractal splintering, often fighting each other, dissipates energy, and makes negotiating with the nominal head of the movement kind of pointless. Having a democratic, or at least consultive, decision-making process helps in this regard.

3) Be credible. When you say you will do or refraing from doing something, follow through. See 1.

4) Act state-like even before you become a country. Start building solid national institutions, competent and non-corrupt, from the begining. Strive to make such institutions a viable alternative to the occupation.

5) Stop terrorism.. Please don't make me explain why.

6) Understand the occupiers. Not as a racist cartoon, but as a bunch of fallible human beings. Most of which have probably more profitable things to da than make your life miserable. Forge alliances with those without any vested interest in the occupation, to undercut its support in the home front.

7) Keep talking. Put forward tangible proposals, and create a national consensus behind them. Follow the letter of any agreement you do sign, and then demand the other side do the same. Acknowledge that the other side also has legitimate core demands, and learn how to diferentiate those from tactical negotiating positions. In the whole process, the more trusted you are the more concessions you are likely to get.

8) Resist occupation. Collectively, unceasingly. And non-violently. Ignore provocation and distractions, and keep focused on the goal. One of the least noticed side effects of suicide bombings is that they excuse the non-suicidal majority from doing anything against occupation.

Really, if the Palestinian violence and genocidal rhetoric were to stop, the conflict would be quite straightforward for most people, including Israelis: A people under occupation whose land is slowly taken away. Statehood would still be a long walk, but at least the Palestinians would be moving in the right direction.

Eu não quero dizer com isso que a culpa de toda a presente situação é exclusivamente dos palestinos. Os Israelenses também são resposáveis, e de fato muitos dos 'conselhos' acima se aplicam igualmente a eles. A diferença é que enquanto as politicas de ocupação e assentamento não trouxeram paz para Israel e são moralmente corrosivas; a 'resisitencia' tal como tem sido feita pelos palestinos é quase uma forma de suicídio nacional.

PS: Um pouco mais da minha petulancia aqui, onde discuto com Israelenses, Libaneses e Palestinos sobre o Holocausto e a Naqba.