Yasser Arafat's Break-through

The closing weeks of 1988 saw important developments in Palestinian policy under the leadership of Yasser Arafat, developments which "profoundly altered the Middle East's political landscape".

First came the sensational declaration of an independent Palestinian State, when the Palestine National Council met in Algiers (15th November). Although this was a merely theoretical exercise, since no actual state exists, it was calculated to express solidarity of support for the Palestinian uprising in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, so encouraging the morale of those suffering in that cause.

There followed the refusal of the United States to allow Yasser Arafat entrance for a session of the United Nations in New York on the grounds that as a known terrorist he was a threat to security. Most countries took the view that Arafat should not have been excluded in this way, and the United Nations arranged a special session in Geneva so that the PLO leader could state the Palestinian cause. In an impassioned speech he pleaded the case for a Palestinian State, and claimed that his people genuinely wished for a peaceful solution to the political problems of the Middle East (December 13).

The following day Arafat again spelt out the PLO's position - "the right of all parties concerned in the Middle East conflict to exist in peace and security ... including the State of Palestine, Israel and other neighbours". There was also absolute renunciation of terrorism. In response came the United States' agreement to engage in dialogue with the PLO - a dramatic reversal of the policy which has obtained for the past thirteen years. For in 1975 Henry Kissinger promised Israel that the United States would not deal with the PLO unless certain conditions were met - notably the PLO's recognition of the right of the State of Israel to exist, and renunciation of terrorism. At long last Arafat had complied with these conditions.

World opinion generally welcomed the United States decision. Indeed among European and Arab nations opinion had long favoured discussion with the PLO on behalf of the Palestinian cause. But to Israel the announcement came as an unwelcome shock. It deprived them of their main support for a policy of refusing to have any dealings with Yasser Arafat and the PLO. The Israeli Prime Minister denounced Arafat's address to the United Nations as a "monumental act of deception". Most Israelis profoundly distrust Arafat after suffering twenty-four years of violent terrorism at the hands of his organization.

It remains for Arafat of course to match his words with performance. The United States will look for proof that he can control the PLO and bring to an end the hijackings, bombings and murders of the past two decades. If he fails the dialogue could be brought to an abrupt end. Provided that conversations can be maintained, the United States hopes that Israel might be persuaded to accept a Palestinian role in negotiations to further the peace process in the Middle East.

Meantime Palestinians of the West Bank have been celebrating the United States decision as a victory for their cause. Having drawn world-wide attention to their national aspirations through their year-long uprising in the "occupied territories", they see the United States' willingness to talk to Arafat as a significant step forward, with further political gains in prospect. One immediate result was an intensification of unrest in the West Bank, making the ensuing month one of the bloodiest of the uprising - 40 Arabs killed and 500 wounded.

Worldly political judgement of the Palestinian issue has clearly swung in favour of at least a large measure of autonomy for Palestinians within Israel's boundaries. Many would support Yasser Arafat's demand for an independent Palestinian State, including the "occupied territory" of the West Bank. Scripture suggests that some such arrangement may well eventuate. For in Joel ch. 3 the Lord declares: "I will gather the nations~ and will bring them down into the Valley of Jehoshaphat; and I will plead with them there for My people and for My heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted My land". In that future day of judgement one of God's charges against the nations will be their dividing up of the land which He promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Gen. 13:14-17; 28:13-14). Christian observers will continue to watch with deep interest the outcome of the Palestinian problem in the light of the prophetic Word.

unknown | May 1989
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