What We Need Is Palestinian National Unity

Akhbar el-Yom, Egypt, December 1

The Palestinian people must recognize that the surest path to freedom lies in their unity. They must stand together and form a solid collective to face off against the occupation and fight for the establishment of an independent, sovereign Palestinian state. At the head of those who must fully recognize this reality, commit to it, and strive earnestly and loyally to meet all its requirements, are the leaders of the factions and all the members and cadres of the many Palestinian organizations engaged in political, social, and military activities, raising the banner of resistance—be it in Fatah, Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or others. I contend that these factions and groups within Palestine must rise to the level of hopes and aspirations held by the Palestinian people and work together. These people have continuously taken a stand in their combat against the oppressive occupation forces since the Nakba up until today. These groups’ leaders must take on the critical and essential task of striving earnestly and with integrity to end their differences and put aside their divisions to reach unity in their ranks and goals. This is an obligation and necessity that is placed upon them to achieve the aspirations of the Palestinian people and to gain their legitimate rights to liberation and the establishment of their own state with its boundaries existing before June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital. All people, no matter their loyalties or beliefs, must be aware that their duty is to their homeland and its people. They must understand that their homeland and its people won’t forgive anyone sowing division and fragmentation among the Palestinian people. The only way to achieve Palestinian self-determination is through national unity. —Mohamad Barakat (translated by Asaf Zilberfarb)