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Ayoon wa Azan (Who Will Be the New Palestinian Leader?) |
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Wednesday, 7 January 2009
By Jihad El-Khazen
We need a new Palestinian leadership.
The PLO historical leadership has ended with Mahmoud Abbas. From now on, the Palestinians will not be led by Abu Alaa, Abu Lotof, Abu Maher Ghoneim or others.
Despite their disagreements, Fatah and Hamas have one point in common: they have both failed to rule. As soon as they assume power, they turn the Palestinian government into another Arab government whose ultimate goal is to stay in power thanks to interest or clan-based alliances to the detriment of the Palestinian Cause or the people who brought them to power.
Fatah has failed in 10 years, and Hamas in two. It is the duty of the Palestinians - assisted by other Arabs - to search for a new leadership, one that would stop the blood bath and propel the cause back to the forefront. There is but one absolute truth. With the failure of the factions-led governments, Palestine under occupation was stripped off its title, the Arabs' First Cause. Other causes of concern surface now. There is Iraq as well as Iran and the fear that it might top the list of regional priorities at the expense of Palestine. This is not to mention poverty, corruption, and dictatorship prevalent in many Arab countries, enough problems to divert attention away from other issues.
Abu Mazen will not enter Gaza on an Israeli tank. I know the man and I am sure he will not. The Hamas-PA disagreement has turned into a personal one between the President and Khaled Meshaal. Yet, this is one thing and dealing with the Israelis is totally different and unthinkable of.
On the other hand, Abu Mazen is of a rare type of Arab leaders. Uninterested as he is in power, he may simply step down as he did at the end of 2003 as prime minister. As far as we know, his term expires in two days time. I also know that he wants to pursue his functions as the Arab countries entrusted him in their recent ministerial meeting to conduct the presidential and parliamentary elections in few months. I heard from sources close to him that he will not run for another presidential term.
If Abu Mazen is no longer there, then who will lead the Palestinians after him?
Hamas leaders will remain the leaders of the Islamic faction only. Neither Ismail Haniyeh nor any other person will lead the people. To the Palestinian objection are added a major Arab objection and a fiercer international one.
As the leader cannot spring out from Hamas' ranks, he must be on good terms with it. He must be able to win its trust and deal with it. As such, Dahlan is ruled out from the equation. Bygone is the time when he was labeled as Abu Ammar's successor thanks to his intelligence, potential, charisma and youth.
Dahlan has as many enemies as allies. I once heard leaders from Hamas and Islamic Jihad say, "There is bloodshed between us." Hence, he is not eligible to lead. This is not to mention the charges of corruption and what Hamas claims to have found among his papers in Gaza. What has been published so far is not enough to convict him though a few Fatah figures would like to call him to account along with Samir Mashharawi and Rafic Abu Shabak.
If a young leadership or a new blood is required, then why not propose Nasser al-Kidwa, Palestine's ambassador to the UN and minister of foreign affairs? I find him honest, modest and civil-tongued. I suggest him as a model. I am quite aware that he will not become the next Palestinian leader except if by some miracle. He lacks any popular base likely to drive him to power. In addition, he has no direct contact with the majority of Palestinians. His name crossed my mind after a senior Arab official told me he was "great."
Marwan Al Barghouti could be the best Palestinian leader in the coming stage. But just as Abu Mazen will not enter Gaza on an Israeli tank, Marwan "will be burnt" if the Israelis release him alone to lead the Palestinians; he will appear as their option for leadership.
Marwan was on good terms with the Hamas leadership with whom respect is mutual. The man has Palestinian supporters at home and abroad. But his chances need to be boosted. The best scenario is for him to be set free thanks to concerted Arab and international efforts. Around a thousand prisoners, including jailed Hamas ministers and MPs, would be released, thus buttressing trust among the Palestinian factions.
I do not know who the new Palestinian leader will be. But I know that the Palestinians need a new and young leadership, one that would rally them back behind their cause, as they have not done for years.
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Wednesday, 7 January 2009
Al-Hayat
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