Comparing and Contrasting the Declaration of

Independence of the State of Israel and the PLO Charter

ComparingandContrastingtheDeclarationofIndependenceoftheStateofIsrael

andthePLOCharter

ENDURINGUNDERSTANDING:Eachandeverynationalcovenant-beitacharterorthedeclarationofindependence-reflectstheguidingideology,values,philosophies,mainbeliefs,codes,principles,aspirations,andethicsofanygivennationalgroup.ThePLOisthedeclaredrepresentativeofthePalestinianpeople.TheirnationalideologyandaspirationsarereflectedintheirCharter.MeanwhiletheideologyandaspirationsoftherebornJewishstatearerecordedintheDeclarationofindependenceoftheStateofIsrael.

Studyingthem(asprimarysources)allowsustounderstand“thecore”ofeachcommunityandgivesusanopportunitytocompareandcontrastwithacriticallensastoeachgroup’sideology,aspirationsandmeanstoachievetheirgoals.

ASSESSMENT:Studentswillbegivenacopyof:

1. TheDeclarationoftheEstablishmentoftheStateofIsrael

2. ThePLOCharter,1964

3. ThePLOCharter,1968

Analyze,Compare,andContrast#1and#3.

Lookforthedifferencesbetween#2and#3.

ESSENTIALQUESTIONS:1.WhereinthedocumentdoestheDeclarationofIndependencemakeacaseforIsrael`slegitimacy:

A)Legally?

B)Historically?

C)Biblically?

2.WhereinthedocumentdoesthePalestinianChartermakeacaseforitslegitimacy:

A)Legally?

B)Historically?

C)Biblically?

3.IstheBiblealegaldocument?Canitbeusedasasourcetoendorsetoacertaingrouptherighttotheland?

4.TheDeclarationofIndependenceclaimsfortherightoftheJewishpeopletoself-determination.ThePalestinianCharteralsostatesthesamerightforthePalestinians.Wheredothedifferencesliebetweenonedocumentandtheother?

5.Whereintheseofficialdocumentsdowefindrecognitionandrightsfor“theothers”(intheenvisionedPalestinianStateandinthere-establishedJewishState)?Mentioncivilrights,religiousrightsandpoliticalrights.6.WhatisthestanceoftheIsraelisandPalestiniansinrecognizingtheothers’legitimaterighttoastate.

7.WhatareIsrael´smaingoals?Mentionatleasttwo.

8.Howaretheygoingtoachievethem?

9.WhatarethePalestinians´maingoals?Mentionatleasttwo.

10.Howaretheygoingtoachievethem?

11.DobothgroupsabidebytheUNresolutions?Provewithexamples.

12.Dobothgroups,oranyoneofthem,delegitimizetheother?Ifso,howdotheydoit?Explain.

13.Compareandcontrasttheobjectivesandtargetsbetweenbothgroups.

14.Wheredowefindconstructionandwheredowefinddestructionineachoneofthedocuments?Illustratewithquotations.

15.Trytorecognizenarrativesfromhistoricalfactswithinthesetwodocuments.

16.Whatisthehistoricalcontextofeachoneofthesedocuments?Howdotheeventsorcircumstancesleadinguptoeachdocumentaffectitscreation?(CIEAnalyzingPrimarySources)

17.Isitvalidtocompareadocumentfrom1947withonefrom1967?Considerthedifferentpolitical,socialandhistoricalcircumstances,butstillbearinmindbothofthemarebindingtoday.

18.“ItisimportanttonoticethattheIsraeliandthePalestiniannarrativesarenotsymmetricalintheirinternalconstructionandcannotbeexpectedtobesoatthecurrentstate.ThePalestiniannarrativeismuchmoremonolithicinitsinternalstructure,representingPalestinians´needtodeveloptheirindependentstatehood,similartothewaytheIsraeliJewishnarrativewasframedwhenIsraelstruggledforitsindependence.”SidebySideByParallelHistoriesofIsrael-Palestine(Bar-On,2004)

Israel`sDeclarationofIndependencewasprecisely“theofficialdocument”emitted“whenIsraelstruggledforitsindependence,”thus,isitvalidtocompareitwiththePalestinianCharterof1968?Remember1968wasayearaftertheArabslosttheSixDayWarandwhentherewasashiftinPalestinianthinking.ItproducedforthefirsttimeademandforaPalestinianstate.

Twogroupsaresearchingforself-determination.Twogroupsareaskingfortheirrighttosovereignty.Twogroupsexposeinadocumenttheirprojectsandaspirations.Twodifferenthistoricalmoments.Isitafairandvalidexercisetocompareandcontrastthesetwodocuments?Whatdoyouthink?Explainwhy.

GOALSANDOBJECTIVES:

GraspthedifferencesbetweentheIsraeliandthePalestinianguidingideologies,corevalues,projectsandaspirationsbycomparingandcontrastingtheirofficialdeclarations.

Studentswillbeableto:

• Analyzeprimarysources(officialdocuments)• Researchthehistoricalorlegalvalidityofeverystatement• Identifynarrativesfromfacts• Evaluateimplicationsofeachstance• Concludewhereeachgroupstands,wheretheirprincipleslie,whattheiridealsand

convictionsare,grasptheirideologyandcomprehendthestrategiestheywillimplementtoachievetheiraims.

TARGETAUDIENCE:

11thand12thgrades,Adults

FORTEACHERSUSE:

Attachedyouwillfindananalysisofeachoneofthesedocuments,specificallytheDeclarationofIndependenceoftheStateofIsraelandthePLOCharterof1968(thelatestversion).IonlypointoutthemainandsignificantdifferencesbetweenthefirstandsecondPLOCharter,version1964vs.1968.

Therearecommentsandabriefanalysisformostofthearticlesineachdocument.Itisextremelycleartoconcludewhereeachgroupstands,whattheircorevaluesare,theirmainideologies,andhowtheyplantoachievetheirgoals.

Darkblack-Mytext

QuotingtheDeclarationofIndependenceorThePLOCharter

RED-Quotinganauthor

ShortoutlineofPalestinianCharter

• UseofviolenceandarmedconflictasmainchanneltoachievethePalestiniangoal:thedestructionofIsrael

• Noconcessions:maximalist-absolutistposition• Rejectanegotiatedprocess• AskforinternationallegitimacybutdefytheUNResolutions• DenyIsrael´srighttoexist• NotrecognizethenationhoodofJewsbornafter1880s• Pointoutexplicitlythattheydon´twanttheWestBankorGazain1964Charter(Article

24).ChangethecontentofArticle24in1968whenWestBankandGazaarenowinJewishhands,after1967War.

ShortoutlineofIsrael`sDeclarationofIndependence

• Pleaforpeaceandcooperationwithworldandneighbors• Equalcitizenrightstoallitsinhabitantsirrespectiveofreligion,raceorsex• Abidewithinternationalregulations• GuaranteetherightofimmigrationandcitizenshiptoeveryJew• Givethehistorical,political,religiousandlegalbasisforthestate

ATTHEENDOFTHEPROJECTYOUWILLFINDANEXPLANATIONOFHOWTOWORKWITHPRIMARYSOURCES,DEVELOPEDBYCIE.YOUWILLALSOFINDTHELINKTOTHEPAGE.

Darkblack-Mytext

Italics-QuotingtheDeclarationofIndependenceorThePLOCharter

RED-Quotinganauthor

DeclarationofEstablishmentofStateofIsrael

Historic,nationalandbiblicalconnectiontotheland:

PalestinewasthebirthplaceoftheJewishpeople.Heretheirspiritual,religiousandpoliticalidentitywasshaped.Heretheyfirstattainedtostatehood,createdculturalvaluesofnationalanduniversalsignificanceandgavetotheworldtheeternalBookofBooks.

Afterbeingforciblyexiledfromtheirland,thepeoplekeptfaithwithitthroughouttheirDispersionandneverceasedtoprayandhopefortheirreturntoitandfortherestorationinitoftheirpoliticalfreedom.

BirthplaceofJewishpeople;Alwaysasenseofconnectiontotheterritory;ConsiderfirstexiletoBabylon-Tehilim137.

Forcenturies,duringtheexile,theconnectionwiththeLandofIsraelstoodfirminthediversecommunitiesoftheGalut.IftheconnectionwiththelandhadbeenrippedandtheJewshadn´tconsideredtheLandofIsraelasthelandoftheirpastandfuture,thenJudaismwouldhaveturnedintoamerereligiouscommunitylosingitsnationalelements.

WhatdistinguishedtheJewsfromChristianityandIslamarenotonlytheirdifferentreligiousbeliefs,butalsotheirnexuswiththedistanthomelandoftheirancestors.

Theyconsideredthemselvesandtheywereconsideredbyothers,asaminorityinexile.

TheJewsreturntotheland:

Pioneers,ma'pilim[(Hebrew)-immigrantscomingtoEretz-Israelindefianceofrestrictivelegislation]anddefenders,theymadedesertsbloom,revivedtheHebrewlanguage,builtvillagesandtowns,andcreatedathrivingcommunitycontrollingitsowneconomyandculture,lovingpeacebutknowinghowtodefenditself,bringingtheblessingsofprogresstoallthecountry'sinhabitants,andaspiringtowardsindependentnationhood.

ForthemtheromanticismofbeingagriculturalworkersconnectedwiththeideathatmanuallaborwouldredeemtheJewfromthemaladyofgenerations.Thelemmawas:Jewishworker,inagriculturalwork,onJewishland.TheybelievedintheRussianslogan:“Thelandforitsworkers.”AstrongsenseofmissiontoensureanationfortheJews.

Itisn´tcolonizationintheEuropeansense:

“PalestinewasauniquecaseofmainlyEuropeansettlerswhochosetocometoanundeveloped,economicallyundesirablecountryandinvestcapitalandlaborinitfornationalisticandideologicalreasons.

Asocialstructure,inwhichthelandownersareaEuropeanminorityandtheworkersnatives,isreminiscentofthecolonialsocieties,wheretheEuropeanminorityruledthelocalmajorityandexploiteditslabor.

FromtheonsettheJewishsocietyinPalestinedidnotfitthispattern.

ThenewYishuvwasnotestablishedsothatthe‘motherland’couldsenditssonsanddaughterstosettleinacountryitruledandexploitthecolony´sresources.

TheJewsinPalestineestablishedtheirhomelandwithouttheassistanceofanycolonialorimperialisticpower.Theyreliedontheirownhardworkinbuildinganinfrastructureandcultivatinglandtheyhadlegallypurchased.TheyturnedHebrewintoaneverydaylanguageandPalestineasaHebrewcenterofculture.ISRAEL:AHISTORY,ANITASHAPIRA

“UnliketheWhitesettlersintheBritishcolonies,Zionismvoluntarilyundertookrestrictionscompatiblewithdemocraticprinciplesofself-determination.ItstrovetoarriveatademographicmajorityintheLandofIsraelbeforetakingpoliticalcontrolofthecountry.

TheZionistsconsideredJewishmajorityapreconditionforJewishsovereignty.Theybelievedthatthisconditionwasattainablethroughimmigration,notbyexpulsionorannihilationinthemanneraccomplishedbytheWhitesvis-à-visNativeAmericansorAborigines.

EconomictheoriesofcolonialismandsociologicaltheoriesofmigrationmovementsareequallyinadequatewhenappliedtotheZionistexperience.Palestinedifferedfromtypicalcountriesofcolonialistemigrationprimarilybecauseitwasanunderdevelopedandpoorcountry.Usually,Europeanshadimmigratedtocountriesrichinnaturalresourcesandpoorinmanpowerinordertoexploittheirwealth;bycontrast,Palestinewastoopooreventosupportitsindigenouspopulation.AttheendoftheOttomanperiod,nativesofPalestine—JewsandArabsalike—emigratedtoseektheirfutureinAmericaandAustralia.ZionistideologyandtheimportofJewishprivateandnationalcapitalcompensatedforthelackofnaturalresourcesandacceleratedmodernization.Thesetwofactors—ideology(exceptformissionaryzeal)andimportofcapital—weretotallyabsentinothercolonialmovements.Imperialistpowersgenerallyexploitedcoloniesforthebenefitofthemothercountryanddidnotinvestbeyondwhatwasnecessaryforthatexploitation.Bycontrast,theflowofJewishcapitaltoPalestinewentonewayonly.NeitherBritainnortheJewishpeoplederivedanyeconomicgainsfromtheZionistenterprise.AcentralargumentmadebythosewhoclaimthatZionismwascolonialistmovementconcernsthetakingoveroflandandthedispossessionofArabtenants.Theargumentbarelystandsuptocriticaltest.Until1948theZionistsdidnotconquerorexpropriate,but—

unparalleledamongcolonialistmovements—boughtlandinPalestine.”WhyZionismisNotColonialism,YoavGelber

“Thelandtheycultivatedwasnottakenawayfromitsrightfulownersbyforceorconfiscatedbycoloniallaw.Itwaspurchased,primarilyfromabsenteelandlordsandrealestatespeculators.

AsMartinBubersaidin1939,‘OursettlersdonotcomehereasdothecolonialistsfromOccident,tohavenativesdotheirworkforthem;theythemselvessettheirshoulderstotheplowandtheyspendtheirstrengthandtheirbloodtomakethelandfruitful.’

ThelandwasamateriallyworthlesspieceofrealestateinabackwateroftheworldwhosesignificancetoJewswasreligiousandhistorical.”TheCaseforIsrael,AlanDershowitz

Legalstatusandlegitimacy:

Intheyear5657(1897),atthesummonsofthespiritualfatheroftheJewishState,TheodoreHerzl,theFirstZionistCongressconvenedandproclaimedtherightoftheJewishpeopletonationalrebirthinitsowncountry.

TheJewshadtherighttodeterminetheirownfutureconsistentwiththeWilsonianprincipleofself-determination:Self-determination,independenceandsovereignty.

ThisrightisthenaturalrightoftheJewishpeopletobemastersoftheirownfate,likeallothernations,intheirownsovereignState.

The1917BalfourDeclaration,the1920SanRemoConference,the1922LeagueofNationsMandate,the1937PeelCommissionReport,the1947UnitedNationsPartitionResolution,Israel´sDeclarationofIndependence,andsubsequentrecognitionoftheStateofIsraelsecuredIsrael´sstatehoodlawfullybynumerousworldpowers,andIsrael´sacceptanceintotheUnitedNations.

ThisrightwasrecognizedintheBalfourDeclarationofthe2ndNovember,1917,andre-affirmedintheMandateoftheLeagueofNationswhich,inparticular,gaveinternationalsanctiontothehistoricconnectionbetweentheJewishpeopleandEretz-IsraelandtotherightoftheJewishpeopletorebuilditsNationalHome.

Onthe29thNovember,1947,theUnitedNationsGeneralAssemblypassedaresolutioncallingfortheestablishmentofaJewishStateinEretz-Israel;theGeneralAssemblyrequiredtheinhabitantsofEretz-Israeltotakesuchstepsaswerenecessaryontheirpartfortheimplementationofthatresolution.ThisrecognitionbytheUnitedNationsoftherightoftheJewishpeopletoestablishtheirStateisirrevocable.

Consequencesofnationwithouthomeland:

ThecatastrophewhichrecentlybefelltheJewishpeople-themassacreofmillionsofJewsinEurope-wasanothercleardemonstrationoftheurgencyofsolvingtheproblemofits

homelessnessbyre-establishinginEretz-IsraeltheJewishState,whichwouldopenthegatesofthehomelandwidetoeveryJewandconferupontheJewishpeoplethestatusofafullyprivilegedmemberofthecomityofnations.SurvivorsoftheNaziHolocaustinEurope,aswellasJewsfromotherpartsoftheworld,continuedtomigratetoEretz-Israel,undauntedbydifficulties,restrictionsanddangers,andneverceasedtoasserttheirrighttoalifeofdignity,freedomandhonesttoilintheirnationalhomeland.

ActiveparticipationinWW2:

IntheSecondWorldWar,theJewishcommunityofthiscountrycontributeditsfullsharetothestruggleofthefreedom-lovingandpeace-lovingnationsagainsttheforcesofNaziwickednessand,bythebloodofitssoldiersanditswareffort,gainedtherighttobereckonedamongthepeopleswhofoundedtheUnitedNations.

JewsparticipatedactivelyinWW2withthealliesandthusgainedaright.PleaseconsiderArabcountries,andspecificallyArableadersfromPalestine,theirroleandactiveparticipationwiththeNazis(HajAminHusseini,MuftiofJerusalem).

ConcreteDeclaration:

ACCORDINGLYWE,MEMBERSOFTHEPEOPLE'SCOUNCIL,REPRESENTATIVESOFTHEJEWISHCOMMUNITYOFERETZ-ISRAELANDOFTHEZIONISTMOVEMENT,AREHEREASSEMBLEDONTHEDAYOFTHETERMINATIONOFTHEBRITISHMANDATEOVERERETZ-ISRAELAND,BYVIRTUEOFOURNATURALANDHISTORICRIGHTANDONTHESTRENGTHOFTHERESOLUTIONOFTHEUNITEDNATIONSGENERALASSEMBLY,HEREBYDECLARETHEESTABLISHMENTOFAJEWISHSTATEINERETZ-ISRAEL,TOBEKNOWNASTHESTATEOFISRAEL.

WEDECLAREthat,witheffectfromthemomentoftheterminationoftheMandatebeingtonight,theeveofSabbath,the6thIyar,5708(15thMay,1948),untiltheestablishmentoftheelected,regularauthoritiesoftheStateinaccordancewiththeConstitutionwhichshallbeadoptedbytheElectedConstituentAssemblynotlaterthanthe1stOctober1948,thePeople'sCouncilshallactasaProvisionalCouncilofState,anditsexecutiveorgan,thePeople'sAdministration,shallbetheProvisionalGovernmentoftheJewishState,tobecalled"Israel".

Itthencontinueswithwhattheywanttodo(goalsandaspirations)andhowtoachievethem:

THESTATEOFISRAELwillbeopenforJewishimmigrationandfortheIngatheringoftheExiles…

PleasenoticethatthefirstactoftheJewsintheirindependentstateistoallowJewishimmigration.(ConsidertheyearjustafterWW2andthefateoftheEuropeanJews.)

“ThisguaranteestherightofimmigrationandcitizenshiptoeveryJewishpersonwillingtoimmigratetoIsrael.Thisisalawbasedonsolidaritywiththedowntroddenandpersecuted:neveragainwouldpersecutedJewsbeexposedtoasituationwheretheywouldnothavea

placeofrefugeandasylumwhichwouldbewillingtotaketheminbecauseoftheirJewishcondition.”TheMakingofModernZionism:TheIntellectualOriginsoftheJewishState,ShlomoAvineri

…itwillfosterthedevelopmentofthecountryforthebenefitofallitsinhabitants;itwillbebasedonfreedom,justiceandpeaceasenvisagedbytheprophetsofIsrael;itwillensurecompleteequalityofsocialandpoliticalrightstoallitsinhabitantsirrespectiveofreligion,raceorsex;itwillguaranteefreedomofreligion,conscience,language,educationandculture;itwillsafeguardtheHolyPlacesofallreligions;anditwillbefaithfultotheprinciplesoftheCharteroftheUnitedNations.

TruetothefoundingideasofZionism,theDeclarationguaranteesequalcitizenshiprightstoalloftheinhabitantsofthecountrywithoutdiscriminationandassurestheculturalandreligiousrightsofallcommunities.

IsraelabideswithinternationalregulationsandresolutionsandthepartitionofPalestine(Resolution181):

THESTATEOFISRAELispreparedtocooperatewiththeagenciesandrepresentativesoftheUnitedNationsinimplementingtheresolutionoftheGeneralAssemblyofthe29thNovember,1947,andwilltakestepstobringabouttheeconomicunionofthewholeofEretz-Israel.

WEAPPEALtotheUnitedNationstoassisttheJewishpeopleinthebuilding-upofitsStateandtoreceivetheStateofIsraelintothecomityofnations.

PeaceandCooperationwithNeighborsaspiringtomutualgrowthinspiteofviolence:

WEAPPEAL-intheverymidstoftheonslaughtlaunchedagainstusnowformonths-totheArabinhabitantsoftheStateofIsraeltopreservepeaceandparticipateintheup-buildingoftheStateonthebasisoffullandequalcitizenshipandduerepresentationinallitsprovisionalandpermanentinstitutions.

PLEAFORPEACE,workjointlywithArabnationsfortheprogressofMiddleEast:

WEEXTENDourhandtoallneighboringstatesandtheirpeoplesinanofferofpeaceandgoodneighborliness,andappealtothemtoestablishbondsofcooperationandmutualhelpwiththesovereignJewishpeoplesettledinitsownland.TheStateofIsraelispreparedtodoitsshareinacommoneffortfortheadvancementoftheentireMiddleEast.

InvitingalltheJewsintheworldtohelperectascaffoldtoaidintheconstructionofthenationwehavebeenandtheoneweaspiretobe…

WEAPPEALtotheJewishpeoplethroughouttheDiasporatorallyroundtheJewsofEretz-Israelinthetasksofimmigrationandupbuildingandtostandbytheminthegreatstrugglefortherealizationoftheage-olddream-theredemptionofIsrael.

Religion:

ThedocumentmentionstheTanakhthreetimes:“…theJewsgavetotheworldtheeternalBookofBooks…”“…Israelwillbebasedonfreedom,justiceandpeaceasenvisagedbytheprophetsofIsrael.…”Andfinally“…placingourtrustintheRockofIsrael…”

HistoryofPLO

ThePLOwasfoundedin1964duringthefirstArabsummitinCairo,whereleadersof13Arabnationspledgedtotakeamoreactiveroleforthe“liberationofPalestine.”SincethattimeithasdeclareditselftobetherepresentativeofthePalestinianpeopleandtheirnationalistaspirations.

InitiallyAhmedShukhairyledit.TheguidingideologyofthePLOwasoutlinedinthePalestineNationalCharterorCovenantin1964.ItfunctionedasthePLO’sConstitution.

FollowingtheSixDayWar,thePLOwasreorganizedundertheleadershipofYasserArafat.In1968,delegatesmettoredraftthePLOCharter.ThedeclineofprestigeofArabstatescausedbythewar,createdashiftinPalestinianthinkingandproducedforthefirsttimeaclearandconsistentdemandforaPalestinianstateratherthanconquestofPalestinebyArabcountries.AddingparagraphsandchangingothersamendedthePLOCharterof1964.

TEACHER`SCOPY:(Letthestudents,ifageappropriate,figureoutthedifferencesbetweenthetwochartersof1964and1968).ThemainadditionsconcernthereiteratedcallforarmedstruggletoeliminateIsrael("liberatePalestine")andthechangeinattitudetowardsJewishrights,aswellasachangeinthestatusofJudea,SamariaandGaza(whichwerenowinJewishhands).

TextoftheCharter:

Article1:

PalestineisthehomelandoftheArabPalestinianpeople;itisanindivisiblepartoftheArabhomeland,andthePalestinianpeopleareanintegralpartoftheArabnation.

InArabic,thedocumentiscalled"Al-MithaqAl-KawmeeAl-Philisteeni."Mithaqwasatfirsttranslatedas“covenant,”butlatertheword"charter"wasadopted.Palestiniansclaimthat"AlKawmee"isuntranslatable.ItevidentlyimpliesthatPalestiniansarelessthananationintheirownright,andarepartoftheArabnationorUmmah.

Article2:

Palestine,withtheboundariesithadduringtheBritishMandate,isanindivisibleterritorialunit.

StrangethattheimperialistandcolonialistBritishMandatein1922,afterthearbitrarypartitionofTransjordanwhichmarkedthenewfrontiersofPalestine,wastheonewhodefinedthefrontiersandterritoryofthe“historicalPalestine.”

Article3:

ThePalestinianArabpeoplepossessthelegalrighttotheirhomelandandhavetherighttodeterminetheirdestinyafterachievingtheliberationoftheircountryinaccordancewiththeirwishesandentirelyoftheirownaccordandwill.

PalestiniansandJewshadandhavetherighttodeterminetheirownfutureconsistentwiththeWilsonianprincipleofself-determination.

Jewsacceptedthepartition,Arabsdidn´t.(PeelCommission1937,UnitedNations1947)

“Universalist,humanistandmoralargument:TheJewishclaimtoindependence,statehoodandsovereigntyisbasedontheideaofselfdetermination,onthenotionthatJewshavearighttogovernthemselvesandnotbesubjecttoforeignrule.Thisideabasedontheheritageoftheenlightenmentisauniversalidea;henceifyouclaimthisrightforyourself,youcannotdenyittoothers.

Specifically,ifZionismclaimsthatJewshavearightnottoberuledbyArabs,itfollowsthatArabshavethesamerightnottoberuledbyJews.Ergoacompromiseisneeded;apartitionisthevehiclewhichwillgranttherighttoself-determinationandnotlivingunderforeignrule-tobothJewsandArabs.

TragicallythisdebatedidnotoccurwithintheArabCommunity.Hereanabsolutistposition(wehavealltherightsandJewsdon´thaveanyrights)continuedtobethefoundationoftheirresponsetotheideaofpartition.”TheMakingofModernZionism:TheIntellectualOriginsoftheJewishState,ShlomoAvineri

Article4:

ThePalestinianidentityisagenuine,essential,andinherentcharacteristic;itistransmittedfromparentstochildren.TheZionistoccupationandthedispersalofthePalestinianArabpeople,throughthedisasters,whichbefellthem,donotmakethemlosetheirPalestinianidentityandtheirmembershipinthePalestiniancommunity,nordotheynegatethem.

Article5:

ThePalestiniansarethoseArabnationalswho,until1947,normallyresidedinPalestineregardlessofwhethertheywereevictedfromitorhavestayedthere.Anyoneborn,afterthatdate,ofaPalestinianfather-whetherinsidePalestineoroutsideit-isalsoaPalestinian.

ThisarticleseemstomakereferencetoanyJewborninIsrael.However,therevisedversionof1968wasmoreexplicit:

Article6:

TheJewswhohadnormallyresidedinPalestineuntilthebeginningoftheZionistinvasionwillbeconsideredPalestinians.

MostsuchJews"ofPalestinianorigin"orwhohad"normallyresidedinPalestineuntilthebeginningoftheZionistinvasion,"meaningbefore1880,hadalreadydiedby1968.Thefateoftheirdescendantsisnotspecifiedandprobablymost,oratleastsomeofthem,marriedZionists.Inanycase,theywereatinyminority.ThefateoftheotherJewslivinginPalestineisnotspecified.

Expresscommitmenttoarmedstruggle:

Article7:

ThatthereisaPalestiniancommunityandthatithasmaterial,spiritual,andhistoricalconnectionwithPalestineareindisputablefacts.ItisanationaldutytobringupindividualPalestiniansinanArabrevolutionarymanner.AllmeansofinformationandeducationmustbeadoptedinordertoacquaintthePalestinianwithhiscountryinthemostprofoundmanner,bothspiritualandmaterial,thatispossible.Hemustbepreparedforthearmedstruggleandreadytosacrificehiswealthandhislifeinordertowinbackhishomelandandbringaboutitsliberation.

Remember:ThelocalArabresidentshadneverhadpoliticalindependenceandwerenotadistinctpeople.TheywerehistoricallypartoftheArabcommunity.

Article7ofthe1964editionreadlikethis:

Article7:

JewsofPalestinianoriginareconsideredPalestiniansiftheyarewillingtolivepeacefullyandloyallyinPalestine.

“ThepresenceofArabpopulationinIsraelwasnotaconclusivereasonagainsttheZionistmovementbecausethatcommunityhadneverenjoyedpoliticalindependence,andJewswereatlibertytoseekpoliticalrevivalintheonlyplacethathadbeentheirhomeland.”TheNationalRightsofJews,RUTHGAVISON

TheHistoricPalestine:

AfterBarKokhba´srebellionagainsttheRomanEmpirein135CEtheRomanEmperordecidedtodestroynotonlyJerusalembutallthetraditionalJewishnomenclatureoftheregion.HisintentionwastoeraseeverysingletraceofJewishculture.ThusherenamedJudeaasPalestineandJerusalemasAeliaCapitolina.

UndertheArabMuslimadministrationinthe12thand13thcenturiestheterm“Palestine”wasincompletedisuse.Itreappearsinthe19thcenturyinEuropetorefertotheHolyLandanditcoversbothsidesoftheJordanRiver.

SincethedestructionoftheJewishstateinantiquityuntilthebeginningoftheBritishMandateintheregion,thelandcalled“Palestine”wasn´tacountrynordidithaveestablishedborders.ItwasapartoftheGreatSyria.

ItwasonlyaftertheBritishconquestin1917-1918andthesubsequentestablishmentoftheBritishMandate,thatthisterritorialregionisofficiallycalled“Palestine”forthefirsttimeincenturies.

Thisdesignationwasn’tacceptablefortheJewsortheArabs.FromtheJewishpointofviewitreestablishedanameassociatedwiththeRomanEmpire’sintenttodestroytheJewishidentityandcultureintheLandofIsrael.

FortheArabsitwasmeaningless.ItdesignatedanindependentareawhichfortheArabswasapartoftheGreatSyria.ThatregionthattheBritishnominatedPalestinewasnotanindependentcountrybutthesouthernregionoftheGreatSyria.

CallingforthedestructionoftheStateofIsrael:

Article8:

Thephaseintheirhistory,throughwhichthePalestinianpeoplearenowliving,isthatofnational(watani)strugglefortheliberationofPalestine.ThustheconflictsamongthePalestiniannationalforcesaresecondary,andshouldbeendedforthesakeofthebasicconflictthatexistsbetweentheforcesofZionismandofimperialismontheonehand,andthePalestinianArabpeopleontheother.OnthisbasisthePalestinianmasses,regardlessofwhethertheyareresidinginthenationalhomelandorindiaspora(mahajir)constitute-boththeirorganizationsandtheindividuals-onenationalfrontworkingfortheretrievalofPalestineanditsliberationthrougharmedstruggle.

HeretheydeclaretheprincipleofthearmedstruggleanddenyIsrael´srighttoexist.

Article9:

ArmedstruggleistheonlywaytoliberatePalestine.Thisitistheoverallstrategy,notmerelyatacticalphase.ThePalestinianArabpeopleasserttheirabsolutedeterminationandfirmresolutiontocontinuetheirarmedstruggleandtoworkforanarmedpopularrevolutionfortheliberationoftheircountryandtheirreturntoit.TheyalsoasserttheirrighttonormallifeinPalestineandtoexercisetheirrighttoself-determinationandsovereigntyoverit.

ThePalestiniansdefinedthemselvesandtheirnationalmovementasaviolentmovementdirectedatdestroyingthenationstateoftheJews.

Article10:

CommandoactionconstitutesthenucleusofthePalestinianpopularliberationwar.Thisrequiresitsescalation,comprehensiveness,andthemobilizationofallthePalestinianpopularandeducationaleffortsandtheirorganizationandinvolvementinthearmedPalestinianrevolution.Italsorequirestheachievingofunityforthenational(watani)struggleamongthedifferentgroupingsofthePalestinianpeople,andbetweenthePalestinianpeopleandtheArabmasses,soastosecurethecontinuationoftherevolution,itsescalation,andvictory.

InthisarticletheFedayeen(thosewhosacrificethemselves)arenamedasthenucleusofthearmedstruggle.

ThePLOwasresponsibleformanyofactsofterrorism,resultinginthedeathsofthousandsofcivilians:themurderof11Israeliathletesatthe1972MunichOlympicGames;thekillingof21schoolchildrenatMa’alotin1974;thedeathof35peopleandwoundingof85inanattackonIsraelitouristbusesalongtheHaifa-TelAvivcoastalhighwayin1978;thehijackingoftheAchilleLaurocruiseshipin1985andthemurderofdisabledAmericanJewishpassengerLeonKlinghoffertomentionafew.

Article11:

ThePalestinianswillhavethreemottoes:national(wataniyya)unity,national(qawmiyya)mobilization,andliberation.

Article12:

ThePalestinianpeoplebelieveinArabunity.Inordertocontributetheirsharetowardtheattainmentofthatobjective,however,theymust,atthepresentstageoftheirstruggle,safeguardtheirPalestinianidentityanddeveloptheirconsciousnessofthatidentity,andopposeanyplanthatmaydissolveorimpairit.

Article13:

ArabunityandtheliberationofPalestinearetwocomplementaryobjectives,theattainmentofeitherofwhichfacilitatestheattainmentoftheother.Thus,ArabunityleadstotheliberationofPalestine,theliberationofPalestineleadstoArabunity;andworktowardtherealizationofoneobjectiveproceedssidebysidewithworktowardtherealizationoftheother.

Article14:

ThedestinyoftheArabnation,andindeedArabexistenceitself,dependuponthedestinyofthePalestinecause.FromthisinterdependencespringstheArabnation'spursuitof,andstrivingfor,theliberationofPalestine.ThepeopleofPalestineplaytheroleofthevanguardintherealizationofthissacred(qawmi)goal.

ThePalestineLiberationOrganization’sZuhairMohsentoldtheDutchnewspaperTrouwin1977:

"ThePalestinianpeople[do]notexist.ThecreationofaPalestinianstateisonlyameansforcontinuingourstruggleagainstthestateofIsraelforourArabunity.InrealitytodaythereisnodifferencebetweenJordanians,Palestinians,SyriansandLebanese.OnlyforpoliticalandtacticalreasonsdowespeaktodayabouttheexistenceofaPalestinianpeople,sinceArabnationalinterestsdemandthatweposittheexistenceofadistinctPalestinianpeopletoopposeZionism.

Fortacticalreasons,Jordan,whichisasovereignstatewithdefinedborders,cannotraiseclaimstoHaifaandJaffa;whileasaPalestinian,IcanundoubtedlydemandHaifa,Jaffa,Beer-ShevaandJerusalem.However,themomentwereclaimourrighttoallofPalestine,wewillnotwaitevenaminutetounitePalestineandJordan."

ThePalestiniancausewas“reconstructed”in1964byEgypt.PresidentGamalAbdelNasserwantedtoachieveArabunitywithEgyptatitshead.Inhisintenttoachievepan-ArabismhejoinedEgyptwithSyriacreatingtheUAR-UnitedArabRepublic-butduetothefactthattheArabsdidn´thavemanyelementsincommon(remembertheyweredividedbyclans;therewerepowerandcontroldisputes),hisprojectwasunattainable.

ThusEgyptreachedtheconclusionthattheoneexcusethatwouldbeextremelyefficienttounifytheArabworldwasthefightagainstIsrael.

ItisthenthatNasserspeaksabouttheneedtoliberatePalestine,abouttheneedtofreethelandinordertocreatethegreatArabnation.HeinvitesthemembersoftheArabLeagueinJanuary1964,whereunderNasser´sinitiative,thePLOisfounded.

Article15:

TheliberationofPalestine,fromanArabviewpoint,isanational(qawmi)dutyanditattemptstorepeltheZionistandimperialistaggressionagainsttheArabhomeland,andaimsattheeliminationofZionisminPalestine.AbsoluteresponsibilityforthisfallsupontheArabnation-peoplesandgovernments-withtheArabpeopleofPalestineinthevanguard.Accordingly,theArabnationmustmobilizeallitsmilitary,human,moral,andspiritualcapabilitiestoparticipateactivelywiththePalestinianpeopleintheliberationofPalestine.Itmust,particularlyinthephaseofthearmedPalestinianrevolution,offerandfurnishthePalestinianpeoplewithallpossiblehelp,andmaterialandhumansupport,andmakeavailabletothemthemeansandopportunitiesthatwillenablethemtocontinuetocarryouttheirleadingroleinthearmedrevolution,untiltheyliberatetheirhomeland.

Article16:

TheliberationofPalestine,fromaspiritualpointofview,willprovidetheHolyLandwithanatmosphereofsafetyandtranquility,whichinturnwillsafeguardthecountry'sreligioussanctuariesandguaranteefreedomofworshipandofvisittoall,withoutdiscriminationofrace,color,language,orreligion.Accordingly,thepeopleofPalestinelooktoallspiritualforcesintheworldforsupport.

FollowingtheIsraeliWarofIndependencein1948,aspartoftheArmisticeAgreementsignedonApril3,1949,Jordanwascompelledtoallow“freeaccesstotheholysitesandculturalinstitutionsandcemeteriesontheMountofOlives.”

HoweverJewswerebarredfromenteringintotheOldCityandvisitingJewishholyplacesincludingtheTempleMount.SynagogueswithintheOldCityweredestroyed;andgravestonesintheJewishMountofOlivesweredesecratedandusedaspavingstones.Thusreligiousfreedomwas-atleastthen-afallacy.

Article17:

TheliberationofPalestine,fromahumanpointofview,willrestoretothePalestinianindividualhisdignity,pride,andfreedom.AccordinglythePalestinianArabpeoplelookforwardtothesupportofallthosewhobelieveinthedignityofmanandhisfreedomintheworld.

ArabPalestiniansaskforfreedomandsovereigntybutwon´tallowitforothers.

“Palestinianself-determinationcannotbepermittedtoundermineJewishself-determination.Itcannotpertaintothewholeoftheterritory.Twostatesfortwopeoples.”TheNationalRightsofJews,RuthGavison

Article18:

TheliberationofPalestine,fromaninternationalpointofview,isadefensiveactionnecessitatedbythedemandsofself-defense.AccordinglythePalestinianpeople,desirousastheyareofthefriendshipofallpeople,looktofreedom-loving,andpeace-lovingstatesforsupportinordertorestoretheirlegitimaterightsinPalestine,tore-establishpeaceandsecurityinthecountry,andtoenableitspeopletoexercisenationalsovereigntyandfreedom.

Article19:

ThepartitionofPalestinein1947andtheestablishmentoftheStateofIsraelareentirelyillegal,regardlessofthepassageoftime,becausetheywerecontrarytothewillofthePalestinianpeopleandtotheirnaturalrightintheirhomeland,andinconsistentwiththeprinciplesembodiedintheCharteroftheUnitedNations;particularlytherighttoself-determination.

DefianceofUNGeneralAssemblyResolution181,whichcalledforpartitionofPalestine,whichisespeciallysurprisinggiventhePalestinianinsistenceon"internationallegitimacy."

Resolution181ofNovember1947envisagedtwoethnicnationstates,eachofwhichwouldprovideself-determinationtoJewsandArabs(nowPalestinians).

“TheArabstates(someofthemmembersoftheUnitedNations)wenttowarnotonlyagainsttheemergingJewishState,butalsoagainstaUNresolution.TheonlycasewhenmemberstatesoftheUNnotonlydidnotabidebyaUNresolution,butwenttowaragainstit.”TheMakingofModernZionism:TheIntellectualOriginsoftheJewishState,ShlomoAvineri

Article20:

TheBalfourDeclaration,theMandateforPalestine,andeverythingthathasbeenbaseduponthem,aredeemednullandvoid.ClaimsofhistoricalorreligioustiesofJewswithPalestineareincompatiblewiththefactsofhistoryandthetrueconceptionofwhatconstitutesstatehood.Judaism,beingareligion,isnotanindependentnationality.NordoJewsconstituteasinglenationwithanidentityofitsown;theyarecitizensofthestatestowhichtheybelong.

EraseordenyarcheologicalandotherevidenceofJewishhabitationinJerusalemandelsewhereinancienttimes:

ClaimsofhistoricalorreligioustiesofJewswithPalestineareincompatiblewiththefactsofhistoryandthetrueconceptionofwhatconstitutesstatehood.

DenialofJewishpeoplehoodandoftheirrighttoself-determination:

Judaism,beingareligion,isnotanindependentnationality.NordoJewsconstituteasinglenationwithanidentityofitsown;theyarecitizensofthestatestowhichtheybelong.

Forcenturies,duringtheexile,theconnectionwiththeLandofIsraelstoodfirminthediversecommunitiesoftheGalut.

IftheconnectionwiththeLandhadbeenrippedandtheJewshadn´tconsideredtheLandofIsraelastheLandoftheirpastandfuture,thenJudaismwouldhaveturnedintoamerereligiouscommunitylosingitsnationalelements.

WhatdistinguishedtheJewsfromChristianityandIslamarenotonlytheirdifferentreligiousbeliefs,butalsotheirnexuswiththedistanthomelandoftheirancestors.

Theyconsideredthemselvesandothersconsideredthemasaminority-in-exile.

“Jewishidentityovertheyearswasmaintainedandtransmittedviamembershipincommunitiesoffaithandworship.JewswhodidnotobservedidnotremainJews.OftenJewswhointegratedintohostsocietiesandagreedtotheprivatizationoftheirdistinctJewishidentityasareligionwerenoteffectiveintransmittingittolattergenerations.YetthetiesamongJewishcommunitieswerenotexhaustedbyreligionevenbeforesecularization.Jewsfeltacommunityoffateandsharedahistoryandacultureacrosscountriesinwhichtheylivedandthelanguagesthattheyused.ThestrengthofthissenseofsharedfateisacentralcomponentoftheamazingfactthatJewsremainedadistinctethnicgroupdespitecenturiesofdispersion…

ThosewhoremainedJewschosetodoso.Andtheychosetodosobecausetheyfeltitwasanimportantpartoftheiridentity.Thefactthatthisidentitywasnotonlyreligiousbecameclearwhenmanywhostoppedobserving,someofwhomdefinedthemselvesashavingnoreligion,wantedtoremainandtransmittheirJewishidentitytotheirchildren.Theculturalrevival

leadingtoZionismwasinfacttriggeredbythiswish.”TheNationalRightsofJews,RUTHGAVISON

Article21:

TheArabPalestinianpeople,expressingthemselvesbythearmedPalestinianrevolution,rejectallsolutionswhicharesubstitutesforthetotalliberationofPalestineandrejectallproposalsaimingattheliquidationofthePalestinianproblem,oritsinternationalization.

Herethemaximalist–absolutistpositiongivesnoroomfornegotiationsorcompromises.Itisexplicit:

…rejectallsolutionswhicharesubstitutesforthetotalliberationofPalestineandrejectallproposalsaimingattheliquidationofthePalestinianproblem,oritsinternationalization.”

ThemeanstosolvethePalestinianproblemisbyanarmedrevolution:

TheArabPalestinianpeople[are]expressingthemselvesbythearmedPalestinianrevolution.

Article22:

Zionismisapoliticalmovementorganicallyassociatedwithinternationalimperialismandantagonistictoallactionforliberationandtoprogressivemovementsintheworld.Itisracistandfanaticinitsnature,aggressive,expansionist,andcolonialinitsaims,andfascistinitsmethods.IsraelistheinstrumentoftheZionistmovement,andgeographicalbaseforworldimperialismplacedstrategicallyinthemidstoftheArabhomelandtocombatthehopesoftheArabnationforliberation,unity,andprogress.Israelisaconstantsourceofthreatvis-a-vispeaceintheMiddleEastandthewholeworld.SincetheliberationofPalestinewilldestroytheZionistandimperialistpresenceandwillcontributetotheestablishmentofpeaceintheMiddleEast,thePalestinianpeoplelookforthesupportofalltheprogressiveandpeacefulforcesandurgethemall,irrespectiveoftheiraffiliationsandbeliefs,toofferthePalestinianpeopleallaidandsupportintheirjuststrugglefortheliberationoftheirhomeland.

“Zionismisbeingdemonizedtwiningthetermwithexpansionism,colonialism,imperialism,racism…”GilTroy

TheArabsneverunderstoodtheZionistmovement.TheyinterpretedZionismasamerecolonialistmovement,withoutunderstandingitssubstanceasanationalrevivalmovement.Howcouldtheyunderstandit?Itwasaforeignconcept.

“Thenationalidea”inEuropeanmeaningandcontext,hadn´tbeenknownintheregion…WiththeexceptionofEgypt,theArabsweredividedintoethnicalandreligioustribesandcommunities.Theyweregovernedbysupra-nationalempires.TheFirstWorldWarintroducedtotheregionthestrangecustomsoftheEuropeanCulture.”(SYKES-PICOT)

“ThusintheMiddleEast,ZionismandIsraelwereinterpretedprimarilyasthespearheadsofOccident.Zionismsymbolizednotonlyastrangeconceptbutacompletelydifferentcivilization.”Elcontextodelprocesodepaz,MedioOriente,YoavGelber

“ThosewhoclaimthattheJewishrefugeeswhoimmigratedtoPalestineinthelastdecadesofthe19thcenturywerethetoolsofEuropeanimperialismmustanswerthefollowingquestion:forwhomwerethesesocialistsandidealistsworking?WheretheyplantingtheflagofthehatedczarofRussiaortheanti-SemiticregimesofPolandorLithuania?Theserefugeeswantednothingtodowiththecountriesfromwhichtheyfledtoavoidpogromsandreligiousdiscrimination....

Thelandtheycultivatedwasnottakenawayfromitsrightfulownersbyforceorconfiscatedbycoloniallaw.Itwaspurchased,primarilyfromabsenteelandlordsandrealestatespeculators.

AsMartinBubersaidin1939,‘OursettlersdonotcomehereasdothecolonialistsfromOccident,tohavenativesdotheirworkforthem;theythemselvessettheirshoulderstotheplowandtheyspendtheirstrengthandtheirbloodtomakethelandfruitful.’

ThelandwasamateriallyworthlesspieceofrealestateinabackwateroftheworldwhosesignificancetoJewswasreligiousandhistorical.”TheCaseforIsrael,AlanDershowitz

“PalestinewasauniquecaseofmainlyEuropeansettlerswhochosetocometoanundeveloped,economicallyundesirablecountryandinvestcapitalandlaborinitfornationalisticandideologicalreasons.

AsocialstructureinwhichthelandownersareaEuropeanminorityandtheworkersnatives,isreminiscentofthecolonialsocieties,wheretheEuropeanminorityruledthelocalmajorityandexploiteditslabor.

FromtheonsettheJewishsocietyinPalestinedidnotfitthispattern.

ThenewYishuvwasnotestablishedsothatthe‘motherland’couldsenditssonsanddaughterstosettleinacountryitruledandexploitthecolony´sresources.

TheJewsinPalestineestablishedtheirhomelandwithouttheassistanceofanycolonialorimperialisticpower.Theyreliedontheirownhardworkinbuildingandaninfrastructureandcultivatinglandtheyhadlegallypurchased.TheyturnedHebrewintoaneverydaylanguageandPalestineasaHebrewcenterofculture.”ISRAEL:AHISTORY,ANITASHAPIRA

“UnliketheWhitesettlersintheBritishcolonies,Zionismvoluntarilyundertookrestrictionscompatiblewithdemocraticprinciplesofself-determination.ItstrovetoarriveatademographicmajorityintheLandofIsraelbeforetakingpoliticalcontrolofthecountry.TheZionistsconsideredJewishmajorityapreconditionforJewishsovereignty.Theybelievedthatthisconditionwasattainablethroughimmigration,notbyexpulsionor

annihilationinthemanneraccomplishedbytheWhitesvis-à-visNativeAmericansorAborigines.EconomictheoriesofcolonialismandsociologicaltheoriesofmigrationmovementsareequallyinadequatewhenappliedtotheZionistexperience.Palestinedifferedfromtypicalcountriesofcolonialistemigrationprimarilybecauseitwasanunderdevelopedandpoorcountry.Usually,Europeanshadimmigratedtocountriesrichinnaturalresourcesandpoorinmanpowerinordertoexploittheirwealth;bycontrast,Palestinewastoopooreventosupportitsindigenouspopulation.AttheendoftheOttomanperiod,nativesofPalestine—JewsandArabsalike—emigratedtoseektheirfutureinAmericaandAustralia.ZionistideologyandtheimportofJewishprivateandnationalcapitalcompensatedforthelackofnaturalresourcesandacceleratedmodernization.Thesetwofactors—ideology(exceptformissionaryzeal)andimportofcapital—weretotallyabsentinothercolonialmovements.Imperialistpowersgenerallyexploitedcoloniesforthebenefitofthemothercountryanddidnotinvestbeyondwhatwasnecessaryforthatexploitation.Bycontrast,theflowofJewishcapitaltoPalestinewentonewayonly.NeitherBritainnortheJewishpeoplederivedanyeconomicgainsfromtheZionistenterprise.AcentralargumentmadebythosewhoclaimthatZionismwascolonialistmovementconcernsthetakingoveroflandandthedispossessionofArabtenants.Theargumentbarelystandsuptocriticaltest.Until1948theZionistsdidnotconquerorexpropriate,but—unparalleledamongcolonialistmovements—boughtlandinPalestine.”WhyZionismisNotColonialism,YoavGelber“ThosewhoaccuseIsraelofracismexhibitafundamentalmisunderstandingofthenatureoftheJewishstate.TheJewsofIsraelthemselvescomprisemultipleracialandethnicgroups.JewishIsraeliscompriseEuropeans,Africans,Ethiopians,Persians,etc.RacethereforecannotformthebasisforallegedinstitutionalizeddiscriminationinIsraelbecausetheallegeddiscriminators(JewishIsraelis)aremulti-ethnicalthemselves.Israel,unlikeneighboringArabnations,doesnotusereligiouscoercion;neitheristheresegregationordiscriminationagainstminoritieswhoarenotJewish.”CounteringChallengestoIsrael´sLegitimacy,AlanMDershowitzRefutingRacism:“IsraeladoptedamulticulturalapproachtowardsitsArabminority,maintainingtheStatusofArabicasanofficiallanguage.IsraeliArabssendtheirchildrentoschoolswhichteachArabic,withtheircurriculumtailoredtotheirculture.”TheMakingofModernZionism:TheIntellectualOriginsoftheJewishState,ShlomoAvineri

OnceagainthePLOCharternegatesIsrael´srighttoexist:Article22:Thedemandsofsecurityandpeace,aswellasthedemandsofrightandjustice,requireallstatestoconsiderZionismanillegitimatemovement,tooutlawitsexistence,andtobanits

operations,inorderthatfriendlyrelationsamongpeoplesmaybepreserved,andtheloyaltyofcitizenstotheirrespectivehomelandssafeguarded.ThenextarticlemanifestlyappliesforallthepeopleexcepttheJews:Article23:ThePalestinianpeoplebelieveintheprinciplesofjustice,freedom,sovereignty,self-determination,humandignity,andintherightofallpeoplestoexercisethem.Article24inthe1964versionoftheCharterexcludedanyclaimbythePalestinianstotheWestBankandGaza-andbyinferencetoJordan-whichtogetherhadcomprisedabout80%offormerPalestine:Article24:ThisOrganizationdoesnotexerciseanyterritorialsovereigntyovertheWestBankintheHashemiteKingdomofJordan,ontheGazaStriporintheHimmahArea.Itsactivitieswillbeonthenationalpopularlevelintheliberational,organizational,politicalandfinancialfields.Thisarticlewassubsequentlydeletedfromthe1968CharterfollowingJordan'slossoftheWestBankandEgypt'slossofGazaintheSixDayWar,1967.Article24inthe1968Charter:Article24:FortherealizationofthegoalsofthisCharteranditsprinciples,thePalestineLiberationOrganizationwillperformitsroleintheliberationofPalestineinaccordancewiththeConstitutionofthisOrganization.

Article25:

ThePalestineLiberationOrganization,representativeofthePalestinianrevolutionaryforces,isresponsibleforthePalestinianArabpeople’smovementinitsstruggle–toretrieveitshomeland,liberateandreturntoitandexercisetherighttoself-determinationinit–inallmilitary,political,andfinancialfieldsandalsoforwhatevermayberequiredbythePalestiniancaseontheinter-Arabandinternationallevels.

Article26:

ThePalestineLiberationOrganizationshallcooperatewithallArabstates,eachaccordingtoitspotentialities;andwilladoptaneutralpolicyamongtheminthelightoftherequirementsofthewarofliberation;andonthisbasisitshallnotinterfereintheinternalaffairsofanyArabstate.

Article27:

ThePalestinianArabpeopleassertthegenuinenessandindependenceoftheirnational(wataniyya)revolutionandrejectallformsofintervention,trusteeshipandsubordination.

Article28:

ThePalestinianpeoplepossessthefundamentalandgenuinelegalrighttoliberateandretrievetheirhomeland.ThePalestinianpeopledeterminetheirattitudetowardsallstatesandforcesonthebasisofthestandstheyadoptvis-a-visthePalestiniancaseandtheextentofthesupporttheyoffertothePalestinianrevolutiontofulfilltheaimsofthePalestinianpeople.

TherewasnoPalestineasastate.ItwaspartoftheOttomanEmpire.TakealookatArticle7andtheinterpretation.

Article29:

Fightersandcarriersofarmsinthewarofliberationarethenucleusofthepopulararmy,whichwillbetheprotectiveforceforthegainsofthePalestinianArabpeople.

TheFedayeenarethefundamentalelementsofthearmedstruggle.TakealookatArticle10andtheinterpretation.

Article30:

TheOrganizationshallhaveaflag,anoathofallegianceandananthem.Allthisshallbedecideduponinaccordancewithaspecialregulation.

Article31:

Regulations,whichshallbeknownastheConstitutionofthePalestinianLiberationOrganization,shallbeannexedtothisCharter.ItshalllaydownthemannerinwhichtheOrganization,anditsorgansandinstitutions,shallbeconstituted;therespectivecompetenceofeach;andtherequirementsofitsobligationsundertheCharter.

Article32:

ThisChartershallnotbeamendedsaveby[voteof]amajorityoftwo-thirdsofthetotalmembershipoftheNationalCongressofthePalestineLiberationOrganization[taken]ataspecialsessionconvenedforthatpurpose.

IfyoulooktodayforthePalestinianNationalCharterintheOfficialpageofthePLOyouwon´tfindit,atleastnotintheEnglishversion.Howevertheydomentionitasacurrentandvaliddocument.

http://palestineun.org/about-palestine/palestine-liberation-organization/

PalestineNationalCouncil:

ThePNC,whichisthehighestdecision-makingbodyofthePLO,isconsideredtobetheparliamentofallPalestiniansinsideandoutsideoftheOccupiedPalestinianTerritory,includingJerusalem.ThePNCnormallysetsPLOpolicies,electstheExecutiveCommitteeandmakesthenecessarychangesinitsownmembership,aswellaschangestothePalestineNationalCharter(aspecialmeetingisrequired)andtotheFundamentalLawoftheorganization.ThePNCalsoelectsaspeaker,twodeputiesandasecretary,whomakeuptheBureauoftheCouncil.TheCouncilhasitsownstandingcommitteesforvariousaspectsofitswork,suchasitslegalandpoliticalcommittees.ThecompositionofthePNCrepresentsallsectorsofthePalestiniancommunityworldwideandincludesnumerousorganizationsoftheresistancemovement,politicalparties,popularorganizations(eachoftheaboveisrepresentedbyspecificquotas)andindependentpersonalitiesandfiguresfromallsectorsoflife,includingintellectuals,religiousleadersandbusinessmen.

In1988inGeneva,ArafatannouncedthathewouldaccepttheexistenceoftheStateofIsrael,renounceterrorism,andacceptUNResolutions242and338.Despitethisdeclaration,thePLOcontinuedterroristattacksagainstIsraelis.

FollowingthenegotiationswithIsraelinOslo:

“InhisSeptember9,1993,lettertoIsraeliPrimeMinisterYitzhakRabin,PLOChairmanYasserArafatstatedthatthosearticlesinthePalestinianNationalCharterwhichdenyIsrael'srighttoexistorareinconsistentwiththePLO'snewcommitmentstoIsraelfollowingthemutualrecognitionoftheOsloAccords,arenolongervalid.Arafatalsostatedthat"thePLOundertakestosubmittothePalestinianNationalCouncilforformalapprovalthenecessarychangesinregardtothePalestinianCovenant.”

OnMay4,1996,thePalestinianNationalCouncilwrotearesolutioninits21stsessionheldinGazaCitydeclaringitsintentiontoamendthePalestinianNationalCharterby‘cancelingthearticlesthatarecontrarytothelettersexchangedbetweenthePLOandtheGovernmentofIsrael9-10September1993.’TheCouncilassigneditslegalcommitteewiththetaskofredraftingthePalestinianNationalCharterinorderto‘presentittothefirstsessionofthePalestiniancentralcouncil.’

OnJanuary13,1998,PLOChairmanYasserArafatsentalettertoUSPresidentBillClintonoutliningthespecificarticlesoftheCharterthatwerenullifiedoramendedasaresultofthatdecision,andwrotethat‘alloftheprovisionsoftheCovenantwhichareinconsistentwiththePLOcommitmenttorecognizeandliveinpeacesidebysidewithIsraelarenolongerineffect.’

OnDec.14,1998,inaccordancewiththeWyeRiverMemorandum,boththePLOExecutiveCommitteeandthePLOCentralCouncilreaffirmedthisdecisioninthepresenceofPresidentClinton.PresidentClintonaddressedtheassembledPalestinianofficialsbystating,‘Ithankyouforyourrejection—fully,finallyandforever—ofthepassagesinthePalestinianChartercallingforthedestructionofIsrael.FortheyweretheideologicalunderpinningsofastrugglerenouncedatOslo.Byrevokingthemonceandforall,youhavesent,Isayagain,apowerfulmessagenottothegovernment,buttothepeopleofIsrael.Youwilltouchpeopleonthestreetthere.Youwillreachtheirheartsthere.’

AsofJune16,2006,themostrecentdateofthePalestinianNationalCharterontheofficialPLOwebsite,the1968Charterremainsinitsoriginalform,withanoutlineoftheintendedupdatesmentionedabove.AmorerecentversionoftheChartercouldnotbefoundasofDecember29,2011.

OnMarch28,2011,accordingtoEurasiaReview,PLOChairmanMahmoudAbbasaskedtheExecutiveCommitteeofthePLOtoconveneaConstitutionCommitteeforthefirsttimesince2006withtheintentionofamendingthePLOCharterbySeptember31,2011.AsofDecember29,2011,thiscommitteehasnotconvenedandtheCharterremainsunchanged.”http://israelipalestinian.procon.org/view.answers.php?questionID=000387

“ThedecisionfailstomeettheobligationslaidoutintheOsloAccordsintworespects.First,theactualamendmentoftheCovenanthasbeenleftforafuturedate.Asofnow,theoldCovenant,initsoriginalform,remainsthegoverningdocumentofthePLO,andwillcontinueinthisstatusuntiltheamendmentsareactuallyapproved...Thereisasharpdifferencebetweencallingforsomethingtochangeandactuallyimplementingthechanges.Second,thedecisiondoesnotspecifywhichclauseswillbeamended.”https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palestinian_National_Covenant

http://israeled.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Analyzing-Primary-Sources-Documents.pdf

CIE2012www.israeled.org:ANALYZINGPRIMARYSOURCES

HowtoAnalyzeaDocument

Documentsshedlightonmomentsandeventsinhistory.Theyprovidespecificinformationorgiveabroaddescription.Theygiveusauniqueglimpseintothepast,whichsecondarysourcescannotprovide.Readingseveraldocumentsfromthesametimeframethatstretchoveraperiodoftimeallowsthereadertoseeacontextforanevolvingidea,theme,orundertaking.Similarly,readingseveraldocumentsfromtheexactsametime,butwithdifferingorigins,allowsatapestrytobewovenofthatmoment.Thereadershouldconsideransweringthe“who,what,where,when,why,andhow”questionsthatcontributetothewritingandinterpretationofthetextordocumentunderreview.

1.Whatistheoriginofthedocument?Isitauthentic?Howdoesthetypeofdocumentpresenttheinformation?Isthematerialauthentic?Whatisthesourceofthematerial?Whatwasthepurposeofthedocument?Ifaprescriptionforactionorreport,whatactionorinactionfollowedwhatwaswritten?2.Whocomposedthedocumentandforwhomwasitintended?Whatistherelationshipbetweentheauthor(s)andtherecipient(s)andhowdoesthisaffectcontent,phraseologyandtone?Howdoesthedocumentimpactotherreaderswhoarenotpartofthetargetedrecipients?Whywoulddifferentaudiencesinterpretadocumentdifferently?

3.Whatisthehistoricalcontext?Howdoeventsorcircumstancesleadinguptothedocumentaffectitscreation?Whatisthesignificanceofthedocumentatthistime?Doesthedocumentstandalone,orisitpartofaseriesofdocuments(anexchangeofletters,aphaseinnegotiations,etc.),andhowdoesthisaffectitscontent,phraseologyandtone?

4.Whatisthecontentandhowisitpresented?Specifically,howdoesthedocumentbeginandend,whatareitsmainpoints?Whatcanbeinferredfromspecificwordsorphrasesused(oromitted)?Whatcanonededuceabouttheauthor’s(orrecipients’)views,intentionsandinterests?Why,specifically,insomediplomaticdocuments,arephrasesandwordsambiguousorcertainwordsomitted?

5.Whywasthedocumentsignificant?Whodiditimpact?Whenwasitmadepublic,ifatall?Whoknewaboutthedocumentwhenitwaswritten?Ifprivateorsecret,whodidnotknowaboutitscontentsatthetime?Whatdoesthatmeanforthatmomentinhistoryiftherearepartiestoaconflictandtheydonotknowwhatwasreallygoingoninanadversary’splansormind?Werenewtermscoinedorideasintroduced?Howdidothersreacttothedocument’spublication?Howhasthemeaningofthedocumentchangedovertime?

Bibliographic information

Title Israel: A History

Schusterman series in Israel studies UPCC book collections on Project MUSE

Author Anita Shapira

Translated by Anthony Berris Publisher Brandeis University Press (2012) ISBN 161168353X, 9781611683530 Title The Making of Modern Zionism: The Intellectual Origins of the Jewish State Author Shlomo Avineri

Publisher Hachette UK (2017) ISBN 0465094805, 9780465094806

Title The Case for Israel Author ALAN M. DERSHOWITZ Publisher John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 1st edition (August 1, 2004) ISBN 0471679526, 9780471679523 Title Israel´s Rights as a Nation State in International Diplomacy Editor Ambassador Alan Baker Publisher Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs (2011) ISBN 978 14658 3132 3 Title The National Rights of Jews Author Professor Ruth Gavison Title Nation and History: Israeli Historiography between Zionism and Post-Zionism Author Yoav Gelber Publisher Vallentine Mitchell (February 15, 2011) ISBN 085303933XTitle My Promised Land: The Triumph and Tragedy of Israel Author Ari Shavit Publisher Spiegel & Grau; Reissue edition (February 3, 2015) ISBN 0385521715, 978-0385521710 Title Israel: A History (Paperback) Author Martin Gilbert Publisher Black Swan (February 26, 2008) ISBN 0552774286, 9780552774284