The presence of groups opposed to Israel gives the authorities a degree of diplomatic muscle, writes MICHAEL JANSENin Damascus
ONE DEMAND Washington makes of Damascus is to close down offices maintained here by a dozen dissident Palestinian groups which have not signed up for the policies adopted by the Fatah-run Palestinian Authority in the West Bank. The most high-profile of these groups is Hamas, the Muslim resistance organisation that rules Gaza.
Its politburo, which has the final say in Hamas policy, is based in Damascus. This gives Syria a strong “card” to play in the diplomatic game of peacemaking.
Syrian analysts say, under prodding from Damascus, politburo head Khaled Mishaal has adopted a “moderate” line in recent months. He has accepted the internationally approved proposal for a Palestinian state in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza; agreed to halt attacks against Israel; and recognised agreements reached by Fatah and Israel. This shift in stance has not been recognised by the Quartet – the US, UN, EU and Russia.
The Quartet continues to ostracise Hamas in spite of calls – even by Israeli president Shimon Peres – to engage Hamas.
Among other factions based here is the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), a movement founded in 1968 by George Habash, leader of the pan-Arab Nationalist Movement, to resist the Israeli occupation of 1967. Like Hamas, the Marxist PFLP is regarded as a “terrorist” group by the US and Israel. In 1969 and 1970, the PFLP caught international attention by dramatic aircraft hijackings.
Leila Khaled, the attractive young woman who took part in two hijackings, became the glamour girl of Palestinian militancy. She is a member of the Palestinian-parliament-in-exile.
Unlike Hamas, the PFLP belongs to the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), the Fatah-dominated umbrella organisation of secular Palestinian factions. Abu Khalil, octogenarian and international relations spokesman of the PFLP, told The Irish Timesthe PFLP remains influential because it has supporters "from the Arctic Circle to the Antarctic: among herders in northern Norway and fishermen in southern Chile". He asserted, "Our first priority is to unify [Palestinian] ranks. This is the only way to restore our political struggle on the ground. Without [unity] we will be smashed, crushed."
A graduate of the American University of Beirut and former teacher, Khalil said the PFLP has been trying to mediate between Hamas and Fatah to end the rift between Gaza and the West Bank. “Our relations with Hamas go up and down,” he said. The Hamas leadership in Gaza “calls on the PFLP not to launch rockets” into Israel. But, he said, “The PFLP will not give up the armed struggle unless we achieve our national aspirations, our national rights.
“We have major differences [with Fatah] over recognition of Israel,” he stated. Relations with Fatah are also undermined by its co-operation with US general Keith Dayton who has reformed the Palestinian Authority’s security services and deployed them against Palestinians seeking to resist the occupation.
Khalil pointed out although “some European governments have been promoting division among Palestinians, the people of Europe back the Palestinians. The Israelis are losing. Now Israel . . . is no longer untouchable. Israel’s 2006 war [against Hizbullah in Lebanon] showed the Arabs that Israel’s army could be defeated.”
In spite of these developments, he remarked, “Everyone who comes to power in the US promises [Palestinians self-determination], but does their best to secure Israel by providing arms and economic support. Unfortunately those who hold the keys to a solution think tricks will bring a solution. They are wrong. The question of Palestine is deeply rooted in the Arab and Islamic worlds where people seek justice for the Palestinians.”