The UN has to reconsider its approach in order to avert a serious and deteriorating situation, writes Ali Halimeh.
The Middle East region is in the process of a dramatic change, if the continued stalemate persists. The cornerstone of revitalising the political settlement requires a specific and new mandate from the international community.
The United Nations has an important role to play, if the region is to avoid a catastrophe. The recent escalating military activities perpetuated by the Israeli army against the Palestinians and the provocative attack against Syria could threaten the future region and the world at large.
Palestinians have accepted and declared for many years their commitment to a peaceful settlement based on United Nations Resolutions 242 and 338 and the land-for- peace formula. These principles have been the main and dominant features of our policy since 1988, when the Palestine National Council in Algeria accepted these principles and the two-state solution of Israel and Palestine living side by side.
We pursued this process and supported the efforts of the United States and Europe and the international community in Madrid.
The PLO endorsed the principles of this conference. Israel reluctantly accepted the idea of the Madrid Conference and tried to frustrate any efforts to resolve the crisis in the Middle East.
The Oslo Accord was a result of genuine and serious talks between the then Labour government of Israel, of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and the PLO. The aim of the interim accord was to create a historic reconciliation between both the Palestinians and the Israelis.
It was a difficult exercise but demonstrated our determination and belief that only through a political process can a solution to our tragic problem be achieved.
The absence of Rabin has had a catastrophic effect on this accord.
A series of crises have followed his death, attempts were made to negate the terms and references of the agreement and even to rewrite the Oslo Accords themselves.
A series of military attacks directed at Israel have occurred as a result of the negative Israeli response to the Oslo agreement.
Increased building of illegal Jewish settlements, confiscation of Palestinian land, the occupation of Jerusalem, daily incursions and the continued assassinations of Palestinian leaders, have all become the features of day-to-day life.
With the collapse of the Camp David talks and the departure of former US president Bill Clinton, the Palestinians and Israelis have lost a forceful man who gave his time and energy to try and effect a final settlement of this conflict.
What was offered in Camp David, and contrary to Israeli claims, was unacceptable, although we maintain that the Oslo Accord still remains a viable option if Israel adheres to the terms of reference.
Sharon was perceived the victor as a result of the failure of Camp David. His visit to the holy Muslim shrines of visits led us to this spiral of violence that we are still facing.
Unfortunately, Sharon did not present any political plan and/or offer any alternative solutions. He made promise after promise to the Israeli people, that he would bring peace and security.
Like his predecessors, Netanyahu and Barak, he deceived his people and the world.
The US administration under President Bush provided him with the means to militarily exact his policies against our people and the Palestinian Authority, and in a brutal manner, destroying the Palestine National Authority infrastructure and resources.
Sharon rejected all international appeals to cease military hostilities, he refused and rejected the George Mitchell reports and Tenet plan and launched the most barbaric attack against our refugee camps, our holy places and the PNA headquarters. The plea from the international community was in vain.
Our position has remained clear. We have engaged in peace initiatives, engaged in reform exercises and taken steps to improve the security, political and economic performance of our situation.
The formation of a post of Prime Minister and the subsequent appointment of Abu Mazen (Mahmoud Abbas) was a significant political advance for us, in response to the regional and international needs.
The meeting in Sharm al-Sheikh and the subsequent meetings between the Palestine Authority and the Israeli and American leaders did not produce substantive results. The collapse of the government of Mahmoud Abbas was a result of the Sharon government's policy of ignoring the basic realities in the region.
The "Road Map" that was presented to the parties after the fall of the Iraqi regime needs to be revived. We strongly believe that the Americans should not impose a solution but rather be involved in encouraging both sides to implement their obligations according to the terms of the Road Map.
The recent statement by George Bush is, I believe, a very significant statement however, democracy can only flourish under freedom and political stability but not under occupation.
The building of the so-called security wall has created a fundamental change in the geographic features of the West Bank. This politically motivated wall is, in my opinion, aimed at creating new realities on the ground. The intention of the Sharon government is to unilaterally demarcate the borders of a future Palestinian state.
The UN has to reconsider its present approach and move swiftly to avert a serious and deteriorating situation.
Terrorism cannot be justified. The killing of innocents is morally unacceptable. Israel has to desist from its state-sponsored terrorism. The assassination and the expulsion of the elected president of the Palestinian people, in flagrant violation of international law, would make the leaders of Israel war criminals.
Our commitment to a peaceful and just political settlement to the conflict is unquestionable. We want to achieve peace and a historic reconciliation for the peoples of Palestine and Israel.
Ali Halimeh is Delegate General of Palestine in Ireland
