Al-Dostour, Jordan, February 14
“We will accept whatever the Palestinians accept,” is a slogan we’ve heard coming from several Arab leaders at different times in history and in various circumstances. It seems to have become a rule of thumb when forming an Arab position on the Palestinian cause. When in doubt, an Arab leader may simply assert that he stands behind whatever it is that the Palestinians believe. However, this hasn’t always been the case. Arab governments have notoriously pressured the Palestinian leadership to make significant concessions throughout history. Arab states would claim to stand behind the Palestinian people, only to force their own opinions on the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO). Today, as more and more states choose to normalize ties with Israel, leading to a weakening in the Arab position on Palestine, this mantra has again resurfaced. But this time it may very well be a good thing. As U.S. President Trump works on devising his so-called “deal of the century” behind the Palestinians’ backs and without their consent, reminding the American administration that the Arab world stands united behind the red lines imposed by the Palestinian leadership is crucial. It sends an important message to the world that, although the Arab position on Palestine is not as unified has it has historically been, Arab leaders remain unwilling to turn their backs on their Palestinian brethren. The Palestinian people are not looking for sympathy or special favors. They can defend and represent themselves. What they do need, however, is for Arab governments to stay away from their internal affairs and, at the very least, recognize the Palestinian leadership as the sole representative of the Palestinian people. Regional initiatives that plan on imposing an external solution on the people of Palestine without their formal consent should be equivocally dismissed by anyone who claims to support the Palestinian cause. The very least the Arab world can do for the Palestinian people is follow the example of Jordan and remind the world of the injustices of the Israeli occupation and urge support for the Palestinian leadership’s legitimacy and sovereignty. The Palestinian people can deal with the rest themselves. – Areeb al-Rantawi