Frankly Speaking…..
His popular consensus is wide and his voice authoritative. Haider 'Abdel Shafi, head of the Red Crescent Society in Gaza, led the first Palestinian delegation to the 1991 peace conference in Madrid and subsequent negotiations in Washington. 'Abdel Shafi also received the most votes as a candidate in the 1996 Palestinian Legislative Council elections " he resigned his seat in September 1997. The Palestine Report's Alessandra Antonelli talked to him about al-Nakba and the current political situation.
Q: Dr. 'Abdel Shafi, we are in the middle of al-Nakba remembrance, but the voice of the Palestinian Authority has been rather muted " do you think this is the result of a political decision?
A: I am not qualified to answer that. You should ask Palestinian Authority officials.
Q: Individuals and cultural centers have organized some " documentaries, concerts, photo exhibitions and children festivals " to commemorate the events of April/May 1948 and the consequences " do you think enough has been done?
A: There are differing opinions on this, but getting the message across is the most important.
Q: What should have been done " let information about al-Nakba extend beyond the region and target the international community which is so sympathetic toward the history and tragedies of the Jews, which is well-known through extensive, repetitive public relations material?
A: Our cause is known world-wide. The point is that we didn't do enough in terms of public relations. We should have put more effort into helping the international community understand our situation. We should have tried to turn the sympathetic attitude toward Israel into skepticism about Israeli policies, which have been condemned more than once by the United Nations Security Council.
Q: Al-Nakba has created an as yet unresolved problem: the refugees.
A: Yes, it is difficult to say what to do. I am disappointed that in spite of the fact that Israel has ignored UN Security Council resolutions and taken an aggressive position in the face of international public opinion, Israel is still accommodated by the world. It is a contradiction " indeed, it is a scandal that the world continues to tolerate this situation. Only in one case, in 1956, when Israel occupied Gaza and did not withdraw despite UN resolutions, the United States finally threatened to apply economic sanctions, and the Israelis then withdrew.
Q: Many Palestinians cried while listening to the speech you gave at the Madrid Peace Conference when you were heading the Palestinian delegation. What were your hopes then, and what are your hopes now?
A: I was hoping for a halt to Israeli violations of Palestinian rights. And now, I am still hoping that Israel will suspend its illegal activities, such as the settlements, which have been condemned by UN Security Council resolutions in 1996. Instead, Israel has stuck with its Zionist objective of one hundred years ago, which resulted in Palestine becoming a Jewish homeland.
I do not know how we can still sit at the negotiations table. The peace process is dead.
Q: President Arafat announced that the Palestinian state will be declared in May 1999. Would such a declaration change anything in practical terms for the Palestinians?
A: I don't know what the meaning of such a declaration would be and I cannot predict what it will mean for the Palestinians.
Q: In the 1996 elections, you were the candidate with the most votes, receiving a wide popular consensus. What made you resign and "disappoint", in some way, the trust that so may people placed in you?
A: I wanted to send a clear message to the electorate. I wanted to inform them of the reality " which is that the Palestinian Authority does not respect Palestinian Legislative Council resolutions. The electorate needs to know that the PLC is a marginal body and not a true parliament.
Q: Barely one hundred people signed up to vote in the by-election that will be held to fill your seat on the Palestinian Legislative Council. Is this a message to the political leadership?
A: My resignation was a message. And the scarcity of voters is a message to the Palestinian Authority.
Q: At the time of your election you stated that one of your priorities would be to work toward the formation of a real democratic state. How is the health of democracy in Palestine today?
A: Violations of Palestinian rights aoutrageous. Rarely in history has a population sacrificed so much in order to achieve their goal. They should be respected for the historical contribution they have made. And at the same time, Palestinians should not let this happen " Palestinians should protest and get the respect they deserve [from the Authority].
Q: In which sector is democracy most lacking, would you say? Human rights, freedom of expression...
A: There is an overall lack of democracy. Human rights are violated, freedom of expression is not granted, social rights are disregarded. I understand that the Palestinian Authority is now preoccupied with the peace process. But this is not an excuse for such things happening.
Q: What, in another 50 years, what would you like Palestinians to celebrate?
A: The achievement of their full rights, although I am not optimistic about that happening. The development of a democratic society, the strength of the society itself, the development of international relations so as to regain sympathy and respect from the world.
Q: And where in Palestinians' hearts and memories should al-Nakba take its place, then?
A: It should figure in the consciences and in the memories of all Palestinians. We cannot forget what has happened and the violation we have suffered.