Ramallah- On the 59th anniversary of its launch, the Palestinian National Liberation Movement Fatah, which for years before the Oslo Accords led the Palestinian people, is facing criticism for the decline of its struggle role on the ground during the war that Israel has been waging for more than 100 days on the Gaza Strip, and the accompanying attacks in The West Bank affected all aspects of daily life.
What is the future of the movement? And its strength in the Palestinian street in the current confrontation? To what extent is it able to maintain its resistance identity after years of identification with the authority that raises the slogan of a peaceful solution?
During this meeting with one of Fatah’s leaders and a member of its central committee, Abbas Zaki, Tel Aviv Tribune Net surveyed the movement’s positions on the most important issues on the Palestinian scene currently.
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You followed the International Court of Justice hearing on accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. What is the importance of the step taken by South Africa? How can the Palestinians build on it?
South Africa previously lived in the conditions that Palestine is now experiencing under occupation, but with will, determination, patience and great wisdom, they were able to prevail, and this victory was a victory for all the oppressed in the world.
Therefore, with the start of the war on the Gaza Strip, South Africa was watching the massacre carried out by Israel, knowing its previous crimes since 1948.
This step established a new phase based on comprehensive, radical change on the basis that Palestine now divides the world morally between those who support the occupation and injustice, and those who support international law, justice and peace, in addition to re-correcting the concepts of Zionism, the occupation, and the right of the occupied people to use all forms of struggle to end the occupation.
This step strengthened the popular international and Arab position in support of the Palestinian issue, which became convinced of the justice of the issue and the necessity of ending the occupation, which has become a burden on the West and the world.
“Our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinian people.” #South Africa In my footsteps #NelsonMandela #FreePalestine pic.twitter.com/y1zRqDk6Ev
— Abed Dolah (@AbedDolah) January 11, 2024
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US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken’s recent meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas revealed the presence of American demands for reform and renewal of the authority. Is the current form of authority intended to be more acceptable to Israel and America?
America, and behind it Israel, see that this authority does not serve them, so they seek to reshape the authority to suit them, which is something that no one accepts. Therefore, we are supposed to confront and reject these demands.
America supports Israel with its genocide of our people in the Gaza Strip, and on the other hand, it cannot force Israel to fulfill the simplest obligations to the Palestinian side, the least of which is paying tax money (clearance).
All talk about reforming the Authority currently as a prelude to post-war arrangements by a party that practices genocide with Israel is rejected, as no one would accept to go to Gaza under American cover.
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In light of the continuation of the Israeli war of annihilation in the Gaza Strip, and the daily crimes of the occupation and settlement in the West Bank, where is the Palestinian Authority in what is happening here, and what is required of it in your opinion?
The Authority is performing its duty day and night to protect the Palestinian situation, prevent collapse, provide aid, and communicate with international parties, whether in the United Nations or international forums, but it cannot do more than that.
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President Mahmoud Abbas threatened to stop security coordination with the occupation at more than one point. What prevents this threat from being implemented, as long as the occupation crosses all red lines in dealing with the Authority and with Palestinian citizens?
Personally, I do not know if there is currently security coordination, because the Israeli side does not adhere to it. Security coordination applies when there are communications between Palestinian and Israeli officers, but what is happening is that Israel is violating the entire West Bank. It may be wise not to formally cancel coordination by the president. And leadership, but no real coordination on the ground.
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Speaking of the war on Gaza, what is the role of the Fatah movement after the Al-Aqsa flood events, and how do you respond to criticism regarding the decline of its role in the Palestinian street?
Unfortunately, they have mortgaged our fate with an illusion called peace, and during the past 30 years there has been no preparation for battles as much as they were preoccupied with building state institutions, and in all of that Fatah was to the left of power, which made its role in the resistance less. But this does not mean that Fatah is not fighting. Gaza is not devoid of Fatahists who are fighting, and even in the West Bank, despite all the restrictions and agreements that prevent Fatah from carrying weapons, we see the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades resisting.
I say that the day Israel annexes the West Bank, all Fatahists will confront it, no matter how involved they are with the authority and its interests. I am confident that Israel’s aggression will lead us all into battle.
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The Fatah movement was supposed to hold its eighth general conference in the middle of last month. What is hindering that? What are the most prominent decisions that it is expected to come up with if it is held?
We needed to hold the conference to devote democratic life to the Fatah movement choosing its leaders, but it is not possible under any circumstances to hold our conference without Gaza, and to discuss in light of this war who is leading and there is a leadership on the ground fighting in Gaza. I said and I say that as long as Muhammad Deif walks on his feet, we are all fine.
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In general, how do you evaluate the Fatah movement 59 years after its launch? Does it still lead the street? Can it be said that its internal disputes affected its power on the ground?
The inspiring idea does not lie in individuals, and Fatah’s idea is to liberate the entire Palestinian territory, despite our engagement in peace agreements with Israel. Fatah still has the same strategy, and is still strong despite all the differences. The more Israel increases its pressure, the more the movement regains cohesion and strength. We do not disagree with those of us who want peace, but we say that they must also prepare for war.
Now we in the Fatah movement are making an effort to make this forced dimension, as a result of previous circumstances, not permanent.
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Speaking of internal affairs, are there any contacts between the Palestinian Authority, the Fatah movement, and the Hamas movement? What are the most important files that, in your opinion, these communications should address?
For us, the assassination of Commander Saleh Al-Arouri was like the assassination of Abu Jihad. There is no difference between them in relation to the Fatah movement, and despite all the circumstances and threats and his classification by America as a terrorist, we declared mourning.
I believe that the position between us and Hamas “under the table” is acceptable, but without it resulting in political results or official contacts.
From my point of view, there should have been contacts from the first day of the aggression, and I support a call by the president to put the Palestinian house in order now. Hamas needs us and we need it, and there is nothing to hinder that.
Leader of the Fatah movement, Abbas Zaki..!! pic.twitter.com/gNwcrfZKCl
– (Sami Atta) Sami Atta (@SamiAtta) January 8, 2024
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After the Al-Aqsa flood battle, we heard voices from within the Fatah movement criticizing the Hamas movement and demanding that it be held accountable. Do you agree with these criticisms?
During the battle, nothing of this kind can be said, but after that everyone will be held accountable to the people through the election ballots for a new leadership.
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Despite the series of Israeli invasions and assassinations of resistance cadres in the West Bank, especially Jenin, Nablus and Tulkarm, the confrontation with the occupation continues, and is even escalating and intensifying. In your opinion, where is this resistance going? Are the situations in the West Bank heading towards explosion or calm?
Israel’s strategic goal is the West Bank, and the guillotine was for the West Bank, not Gaza. We say that if they want to implement what they are talking about by displacing the Palestinians from the West Bank, we will not leave, no matter the size of the sacrifices.
