Interview with Mr. Faisal Husseini on the Israeli elections results [Voice of Palestine morning broadcast, May 18]

Faisal Husseini - PLO Executive Committee Member in charge of Jerusalem portfolio

Q: what is your comment on results of Israeli elections?

A: disregarding the crisis observed by the Orient House and the attack against the entire Jerusalem, Netanyahu pays the costs of his arrogance, incitements and disrespect to what he signed. There is a saying which reads, you can deceive some people for some time but you cannot deceive all the people all the time. However, we are now preparing to observe a new battle in a new shape because the Israeli society has many internal social problems such as: the shape of their future state; the conflict between secular and religious parties, between left and right parties and between western Jews and Eastern Jews. It is not easy to deal with this formula. On our part, we should be aware and adhere to our principals in order to continue with this political confrontation after which we hope to obtain our rights.

Q: Barak told his voters that he will not give concessions in Jerusalem. what is your comment?

A: I believe that Barak wants to step back few steps in order to start negotiations from a point which is on a lower level than we are now whether in regards of the issue of ID cards and Palestinian institutions, etc. However, in fact there are negotiations over the issue of Jerusalem with both of its sectors.

Q: in streets, Palestinians say that there is no difference between Netanyahu and Barak. How do you elaborate? A: no, there is a big difference. One part is more pragmatic rather than being ideological while the other is more ideological than being pragmatic.

Q: is there a possibility to achieve an understanding with Barak and his new government?

A: I believe that if an understanding is reached between Shas, Shinui and Meretz, I think there will be a possibility to form a new government which will face no political problems in finding a better solution. Yet, if this coalition is impossible to be achieved then there will be a real problem. 

Hasan Abdel Rahman - PLO Representative in Washington

Q: Washington is pleased with outcomes of Israeli elections. Do you think there will be new efforts to get the peace process back on track?

A: It is not a secret that US has disagreed with the Netanyahu government over the peace process. USA used to call the Netanyahu government to implement its obligations of peace, however, it did not respond. I believe that the Administration sees that a government headed by Mr. Barak will more responding to requirements of peace process.

Q: are there US - Palestinian talks in order to resume final-status talks?

A: in fact, I together with (PLO Secretary) Mahmoud Abbas, met yesterday with US Special Envoy to the Middle East Peace Process Dennis Ross who informed us that the Administration will start its efforts after forming the new government in Israel. US Administration also hopes that the new Israeli government will begin implementing Wye River Memorandum and then to start the final - status negotiations. There is an impression among the Administration that there will be no problem before Barak government in implementing Wye agreement and starting the final-status negotiations. 

Ahmad Abdel Rahman - Secretary of Palestinian Cabinet

Q: what is your comment on Barak statements in which he echoed Netanyahu's No's?

A: what was defeated in Israel is the ideological trend which was represented by Netanyahu and calls for the "greater Israel," rejects Palestinian existence and builds settlements instead of peace. However, Labor party is another thing and have another program which is pragmatic and based on compromise. We have started with Rabin the Oslo Agreement, then we observed the Israeli withdrawal from Palestinian cities. Therefore, there is a practical approach which has accepted the compromise despite the fact that Barak represents the right wing inside the Labor Party. The new structure which assumes power in Israel will actually affect Barak's program. We are waiting to see what the government will say in its statement before the Knesset and how the negotiations will be undertaking after that.

Q: do you think Barak's program will be affected by the leftist parties?

A: we should review carefully the new Knesset map. The major losers are those who call for settlements and expansion. They are the Netanyahu party and settlers. For example, the Mifdal Party's seats have decreased to only five seats. On the other hand, the new elected parties in the Israeli Knesset have no tough positions against the Palestinian people and against establishing a Palestinian state. Barak or other than Barak will not be able to change the suggested proposals for solving the Palestinian cause. Barak cannot move the wheel of history backward.