Feb 10, 2005
Q&A with Khaled Abu Toameh

Khaled Abu Toameh, a veteran Jerusalem-based journalist, has been covering Palestinian Affairs for The Jerusalem Post since August 2002

Ken Kaufman, Agoura Hills, California, USA: We hear in the press that Abbas is completely against the use of terror and is committed to ending it. What is the word on the Palestinian street in regards to whether or not Abbas is sincere in this commitment? Is he making the same commitment and saying the same things in Arabic to his Palestinian constituency?

Khaled Abu Toameh: Mahmoud Abbas has said in Arabic that he wants to end the state of lawlessness and chaos and has spoken out against the "militarization" of the intifada. The Palestinians think he’s serious about ending bloodshed and violence, but only a few believe that he would be able to take drastic measures against Hamas and other armed groups. Besides, Abbas himself has stated that he won’t use force against any Palestinian group. Unlike Yasser Arafat, Abbas does not use fiery rhetoric and has been talking about the need for reconciliation with Israel. In fact, Abbas was one of the first PLO leaders to accept the two-state solution back in 1977.

Laurence Simon, Houston, TX USA: In the three months since Arafat’s death, has there been a change in how the Palestinian press covers the Palestinian Authority?

Khaled Abu Toameh: There are no real changes in the Palestinian media’s attitude towards the Palestinian Authority, except for the fact that Yasser Arafat’s pictures have been replaced with those of Mahmoud Abbas. Yet there have been a few cases where prominent columnists and politicians were allowed to criticize the Palestinian cabinet’s performance and corruption.

Miriam Schwab, Jerusalem, Israel:Please can you describe your personal background — your name seems to indicate that you are from an Arab background, and if so then your viewpoints are certainly unique in the Arab world.

Khaled Abu Toameh: I’m an Arab Muslim living in Jerusalem and I report the truth as I find it. I try to follow the best traditions of a free press and truthful reporting.

James Davis, Fort Lauderdale, Florida., USA: Previous efforts to talk peace have been by renewed attacks on Israel by Palestinian terrorists. In your estimation, is Mahmoud Abbas able to rein in terrorist organizations without jeopardizing his own position as Palestinian leader?

Khaled Abu Toameh: Mahmoud Abbas is caught between the rock and a hard place. If he cracks down on the armed groups, he will be accused of collaboration with Israel and the US against his own people. The last thing he needs now is to be portrayed as a CIA or Israeli agent. On the other hand, if he does not take action against these groups, he will be accused by Israel and the US of failing to stop terrorist attacks.

Edy Burak, City Of Aventura , Florida, USA: Why don’t the Palestinians care about where the donor money goes? In other words: they don’t take care why they don’t have better hospitals, schools ? With the Arafat money (from where the money come) the people can have good facilities.

Khaled Abu Toameh: The Palestinians do care about the money. That’s why many of them are demanding an end to corruption and are asking about the fate of the $6.5 billion that the Palestinian Authority received after the signing of the Oslo Accords. Unfortunately, most of the money ended up in the wrong hands.

Morton Friedman, Wilmette, Illinois, USA: Does the Palestinian demand that Israel release prisoners with blood on their hands indicate that the Palestinians still see terror as a legitimate weapon?

Khaled Abu Toameh: Although some Palestinians are openly opposed to terrorism, many still regard it as a legitimate weapon against an occupying force. In their view, suicide bombings and armed attacks are part of a legitimate "resistance" against Israeli occupation. All the security prisoners are seen as soldiers (and heroes) who were fighting against an occupying force.

Brian J. Grossman, Richmond, Virginia, USA: In the context of an overall peace settlement, is there a workable way to divide or share Jerusalem that will be accepted by both Jews and Arabs and won’t lead to increased inter-communal friction?

Khaled Abu Toameh: Jerusalem is so small that it’s difficult to see how the city could ever be re-divided with a fence or wall. The Palestinians want full sovereignty over east Jerusalem, which already has a Jewish majority. Since 1967 Israel has built a string of Jewish neighborhoods in and around east Jerusalem, rendering it impossible to re-divide the city. Some Israelis and Palestinians have lately been pondering the idea of "sharing" Jerusalem by handing control over Arab neighborhoods in the city to the Palestinian Authority. This was the formula discussed at the botched Camp David summit in 2000 — what is Arab (in Jerusalem) belongs to the Arabs and what is Jewish belongs to the Jews.

Oded Zyssman, Atlanta, Georgia, USA: Scary times are hovering over Israel nowadays What does the Arab Israeli street wish for in this conflict? Are they really going to turn into a mobilized fifth column once a larger-scale Arab Israeli conflict erupts?

Khaled Abu Toameh: The vast majority of the 1.2 million Arab Israelis want to live in Israel as equal citizens. They are fighting for integration into Israeli society, and not separation. With a few exceptions, Arab Israelis have been loyal to the State ever since its establishment in 1948 and would never agree to leave their homes to live in another country.

The fact that they identify with and support their Palestinian brothers in the West Bank and Gaza Strip does not necessarily mean that they are hostile to Israel. Israel has had several wars with its Arab neighbors, yet we never saw Arab citizens rising en masse against the State. Therefore, I believe some Israelis are making a huge mistake by looking at the Arab citizens as a "fifth column."

David Gani, Barcelona, Spain: What will be the situation of Palestinian Christians under Mr Abbas’ government?

Khaled Abu Toameh: The number of Palestinian Christians has fallen dramatically in the past few decades and they are now a tiny minority. Mahmoud Abbas has vowed to establish the rule of law under his government, and no doubt Palestinian Christians will also benefit.

Shula Hamilton, Atlanta, Georgia, USA: I think that peace between the Palestinians and Israelis is not possible unless Saudi Arabia makes peace with Israel. Can you comment?

Khaled Abu Toameh: While the influence of Saudi Arabia — both financially and in religious terms — can be seen among certain sectors of the Palestinian population, Palestinian society as whole is much more westernized and open than in Saudi Arabia. And remember that the Palestinians already signed a peace deal with Israel without involving the Arab countries.

Lou Averbach, Santa Monica, California, USA: What do you know about European support and financing of the Israeli left including peace now and other groups?

What do you know about the connections of these same Israeli groups with Palestinian leadership? Is it true that members of some of these groups have been advising groups that are involved with committing terrorist acts?

Khaled Abu Toameh: The European Union does not publish the details of its grants to Israeli groups and those groups that have contact with Palestinian leaders are quiet open about that. I suggest you check their Web sites.

Gary Stahl, Givrins, Switzerland: What do you think of Said K. Aburish’s biography of Arafat, entitled ’Arafat: From Defender to Dictator’? Is it a balanced report or not?

Khaled Abu Toameh: This was the first authentic biography of Arafat written by an Arabic-speaking insider who knew him personally. Like any biographer, Abu Rish has his own take on Arafat, but overall it is an excellent study of the man.

Khaim Kalontar, Hillcrest, USA: George  W. Bush has recently pledged $350 million to the Palestinian people. Do you believe this sum is enough and what can the Palestinian leadership do to improve its economy?

Khaled Abu Toameh: The Palestinians say they need at least $1 billion to rebuild infrastructure and create jobs. If the new-old Palestinian leadership starts investing money for the welfare of the people, there is a good chance that the economy will improve.

Eugen Tarnow, Fair Lawn, USA: Would the Palestinians be better or worse of being part of Jordan? If a new country is created, what will happen to all the Palestinians living in Jordan?

Khaled Abu Toameh: The Palestinians don’t want to be part of Jordan; they want their own independent state with east Jerusalem as its capital. I think the majority of the Palestinian refugees living in Jordan would move to the Palestinian state once it’s created. The rest of the Palestinians, who are not refugees and who have been living in Jordan for decades, are unlikely to leave the kingdom, especially those who have houses and businesses there.

Gary Stahl Givrins, Switzerland: In his article published in Haaretz (’Not Another Turkish Movie’ / 8 Feb.05), Yoel Marcus makes the claim that M. Abbas is "the antithesis of Arafat,‘ but Abbas, like Arafat before him, is a Shoah (Holocaust) denier. What’s your assessment of Abbas and how do you explain the international media’s obsessive ’good-guy" take on him?

Khaled Abu Toameh: The international media appears to agree with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who has described Abbas as "serious and a real partner for peace."

Daniel Khoury, Ramallah: Do you think the Israeli wall in the West Bank would eventually be removed? Or will it be the future border?

Khaled Abu Toameh: The Israeli government says that the fence is a temporary security measure and has no impact whatsoever on the permanent borders between Israel and a Palestinian state, which will be determined through negotiations.

Elise Barenblat, San Antonio, TX USA: A few weeks ago you wrote an article which stated that Abu Mazen had requested that the Palestinian press should stop focusing so much on praising him and focus more on what was really going on. Have you seen any changes in the Palestinian media’s focus since this time, and is there any sign that the press is becoming less controlled and freer?

Khaled Abu Toameh: Mahmoud Abbas has indeed said that he wants to see a free and independent Palestinian media. However, the Palestinian media continues to function as a mouthpiece for the Palestinian Authority, just as it did under Yasser Arafat. Two of the three major newspapers — Al-Ayyam and Al-Hayat Al-Jadeeda — are financed and controlled by the Palestinian Authority. The same applies to Palestine TV and Radio. Most Palestinians still have to watch al-Jazeera and other Arab TV stations to learn about what’s happening in their area.

J. Katz, Saskatoon, Canada: Do you believe that peace can be achieved in spite of the Palestinian call for a right of return?

Khaled Abu Toameh: The right of return for the refugees is, in my view, the most important issue on the table. I believe that the majority of the refugees know that they would never be allowed to return to their original villages inside Israel and would accept compensation in the context of a comprehensive deal with Israel. Some Palestinians say all they want is that Israel accept the right of return in principle and acknowledge its responsibility for the plight of the refugees. No Palestinian leader would be able to sign an agreement with Israel that ignores the predicament of the refugees. Some Palestinian officials who have expressed willingness to compromise on the right of return have been condemned as "traitors."

Ivan Lubash, Sudbury, Massachusetts, USA: To date the Palestinian Authority has reduced attacks on Israel (or the IDF is being very effective), but constructive action on their part seems to be missing. There is a "hudna," but that is a truce to rearm and prepare for the next attack. There are demands upon Israel but the PA has not made (as far as I can determine) positive counter-moves. Your comments please, particularly why we should be optimistic.

Khaled Abu Toameh: The Palestinian Authority has over the past few weeks taken a number of steps designed to stop terror attacks on Israel, including the deployment of thousands of armed policemen in the Gaza Strip and the sealing of underground tunnels used for smuggling weapons from Egypt into the Gaza Strip. In addition, the Palestinians have resumed security coordination with Israel and are exerting heavy pressure on the armed groups to halt their attacks on Israel. Mahmoud Abbas has also succeeded in persuading the armed groups to temporarily halt their attacks on Israel. My impression is that the majority of the Palestinians want to see real changes, particularly an end to the vicious cycle of violence.

Steve Acre, Canada: From 1948 to 1967 war, Old Jerusalem was under the control and jurisdiction of Jordan. Why is it that the Palestinians are claiming that Jerusalem was their Capital, when in fact it was not? As far as I know from history, there was never an independent country called Palestine. I would appreciate your comments.

Khaled Abu Toameh: The Palestinians, as far as I know, are not saying that Jerusalem WAS their capital. What they are saying is that they want to turn east Jerusalem into the capital of their future state. East Jerusalem was part of the territories captured by Israel in the 1967 Six Day War and the Palestinians and Arabs, as well as the international community, have never recognized Israel’s decision to annex the Arab part of the city. Today there are more than 200,000 Arabs living in Jerusalem. Although they carry Israeli-issued ID cards, they are regarded as part of the Palestinian people in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The Palestinians insist that Israel should withdraw from all the territories it occupied in 1967, including east Jerusalem, which they hope to turn into their future capital mainly because it is the site of Islam’s third holiest shrine, the Aksa Mosque.

Daniel Bilar, Waterville, Maine, USA: I read Arab newspapers (in translation) and various reports on what is taught to schoolchildren in Arab states. As I understand it, this constant, venomous incitement against Israel and Jews in Arab government-controlled newspapers and schoolbooks (including the PA) serves one purpose: grooming the next generation for war.

Would you agree that the one true measure of gauging acceptance of the Jewish state of Israel is to monitor Arab school books; because these are directed inwards, towards the next generation; concomitantly, that Israel should be wary of nations that have not reformed their school books and keep inciting their children from early childhood onwards?

Khaled Abu Toameh: I agree that school textbooks and the media play a major role in shaping public opinion. Sadly, the message coming out of the Arab media and education system remains hostile to Israel and the Jews. This includes countries that have peace agreements with Israel, such as Jordan and Egypt. Add to this what is being said in many mosques throughout the Arab world and the result is yet another generation that is raised on hatred for Jews and Israel. Therefore it’s very important to carefully follow what’s being said and written in Arabic.

Ray Saperstein, Baltimore, Maryland, USA: The Palestinians attach great importance to the release of prisoners as an early stage of negotiation. Historically, prisoner release has taken place as one of the last things done between warring parties once a peace treaty has been negotiated. Is it realistic for the Palestinians to demand such a release up front before serious agreements are reached?

Khaled Abu Toameh: The Palestinians argue that Israel should have released all the prisoners back in 1995, following the signing of the Oslo Accords and the launching of the Middle East peace process. Then, there were approximately 5,000 prisoners in Israel. Today, there are nearly 8,000 Palestinians in Israeli jails. The Palestinians say they want to see all the prisoners freed, especially now that negotiations with Israel have been resumed.

They are also saying that a prisoner release is needed to bolster Mahmoud Abbas’s status and encourage the moderate camp among the Palestinians.

Jonny May, London, UK: In 2003 Yasser Arafat heeded the pressure of the international community and created the post of prime minister in the PA. The aim of this was to turn Arafat into a figurehead and empower a new prime minister. As head of the PLO as well as the less important PA, Abu Mazen is clearly the most important character in Palestinian politics. You have recently been reporting differences between Abu Mazen and Abu Ala. With legislative and municipal elections planned later this year, how do you see their relationship panning out? Is the role of Farouk Kaddoumi also relevant here?

Khaled Abu Toameh: Some Palestinian officials in Ramallah have been talking recently about a sharp dispute between Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei over the formation of a new cabinet. However, this does not mean that Qurei is challenging Abbas or trying to undermine his power. And unlike Arafat, Abbas does not feel threatened by his prime minister.

The row erupted after Abbas declared his intention to replace at least six ministers — a move strongly opposed by Qurei, who wants to wait until next July’s parliamentary election before introducing major changes to his cabinet. I believe the two will continue to work together, although we are likely to se more squabbling and tensions between them. By continuing to sit in Tunis, Kaddoumi has limited influence over the process of decision-making in the Palestinian Authority. As such, he continues to be as irrelevant as ever.

Joshua Keidan, Houston, TX, USA: What is the most "sensitive and pressing‘ issue for the Palestinians? First it was Jerusalem, then the refugees, then the security wall, now the ’unacceptable" number of prisoners being released from Israeli jails. Is it just me or is everything sensitive and pressing or do they have one or two things that are not sensitive and pressing? If so, what are they? (I am really curious; this is not a sarcastic letter.)

Khaled Abu Toameh: All the issues you mention are sensitive and pressing — as far as the Palestinians are concerned. For the Palestinians living in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, the most pressing issue these days is Israeli security measures that disrupt normal life, including checkpoints, closures and the security fence. The majority of the Palestinians want to return to normal life and rebuild their economy, which was virtually destroyed over the past four years. They want to see an end to the violence and the release of thousands of prisoners from Israeli jails. On the other hand, there is no sense of urgency regarding the long-standing and sensitive issues of Jerusalem and the refugees.

Harold Moskowitz, Chicago, IL, USA: While Mr. Abbas has made some positive steps, aren’t we going down the same road again with the same issues; i.e. Palestinian demands for Israel to release prisoners who have killed Israelis; arrest of terrorists or their leaders and their immediate release; giving over security to the Palestinians, and temporary hudnas without any real reciprocity (i.e. doing something about Hamas, major media push in the Palestinian press to favor a peace deal, etc.) when in a couple of weeks when there is a bombing, everyone will pretend nothing happened? Without some concrete steps that show the Palestinians mean it this time, why go through with this charade again?

Khaled Abu Toameh: If anyone thinks that Mahmoud Abbas is going to give up any of the basic Palestinian demands and aspirations, then he/she is mistaken. Abbas may be serious about ending the violence and restoring law and order, but he still has a long way to go. He has nevertheless made it clear that he won’t use force to disarm the various militias and that he prefers to engage in a dialogue with Hamas and other radical groups to convince them to stop their attacks on Israel. For the time being, he appears to have succeeded in his efforts to achieve a temporary truce. Israel and the US are now closely following his actions and appear to be satisfied with his performance.

Mladen Andrijasevic, Beersheba, Israel: What is your understanding of why there have been no Christian Palestinian suicide bombers among the 141 suicide bombers who exploded since September 2000, although Christian Palestinians represent some 4 percent of the Palestinian population?

Khaled Abu Toameh: The phenomenon of suicide bombing is fuelled by the religious Islamic belief in the glory of martyrdom. Christians Palestinians don’t share this ideology.

Alex Bam, Toronto, Canada: I was wondering if being an Arab who writes for a right-leaning "Zionist" newspaper, with a slight pro-Israel tone in your articles, creates any problems or advantages for you when you do your work investigating or interviewing various people.

Khaled Abu Toameh: I’m a professional journalist, and over the years I have written for a wide variety of newspapers with different editorial outlooks, including a PLO newspaper. In common with all other journalists, I will report for any newspaper that respects my journalistic integrity and allows me to report events without twisting them one way or the other.

Lila Friedman, Pembroke Pines, FL USA: In lieu of Abbas’ decision not to confront Hamas and the other Palestinian terror groups on disarming and ceasing violence on Israelis, what do you feel should be Sharon’s position at the Israeli-Palestinian summit at Sharm e-Sheikh?

How can any idea of negotiating with the Palestinians be credible when they threaten to resort to violence if they don’t get their way (as with the release of the number of prisoners they are now demanding), and Abbas has no affect on their actions?

Khaled Abu Toameh: Some Palestinians believe that force is the only language that Israel understands and cite the Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon in May 2000 and the decision to quit the Gaza Strip as good examples. That’s why we keep hearing threats to resort to violence whenever the Palestinians don’t get all that they want.

Jay Lefkowitz, Brooklyn, NY, USA: There have been many serious crimes committed against Palestinians by other Palestinians who, by virtue of their weapons and membership in various militias and gangs, were until now generally immune from any punishment or constraint. Does the new Palestinian government offer any hope that these criminals will be brought to justice and that these crimes will no longer be tolerated?

Khaled Abu Toameh: Mahmoud Abbas has pledged to fight lawlessness and anarchy by waging a relentless war against armed thugs who have long been terrorizing the public. Earlier this month he instructed the security forces to crack down on criminals and asked the mufti to approve death sentences passed against more than 50 convicted murderers so that they would be carried out soon. However, the measures don’t apply to gunmen who have killed scores of Palestinians on charges of "collaboration" with Israel.

Steven Seymour, New York, USA: In your opinion, what will the Palestinian state consist of? Will Israel ever give East Jerusalem to the Palestinians?

Khaled Abu Toameh: The Palestinians have agreed to establish their state on 22 percent of "historic Palestine" — namely in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem. Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak has already offered the Palestinians control of Arab neighborhoods in Jerusalem. Some Likud ministers, including Ehud Olmert, have also offered to hand over some Arab neighborhoods in the city to the Palestinian Authority.

Evan Winer, Chicago, Illinois USA: A society capable of dispatching suicide bombers and then cheering the horrific results strikes me as one that is so utterly pathological as to be irredeemable.

Is it possible to purge the culture of hatred and violence that permeates Palestinian culture? And is there a movement within Palestinian society to do so?

Khaled Abu Toameh: In the last few years there has been a rise in the number of Palestinians who have spoken out against suicide bombings and the killing of innocent civilians. Several groups consisting of human rights activists, politicians, legislators, writers and artists have been publishing advertisements in the Palestinian press condemning terrorism and calling for an end to suicide bombings and other forms of violence. Mahmoud Abbas has also spoken out against terrorism, saying the Palestinians made a big mistake by resorting to arms and terror during the intifada.

Rabbi Gershon Johnson, Agoura Hills, CA, USA: What is Abu Mazen saying to the Arab Media? Is he giving two messages concerning his intentions to make peace with Israel — one to the West and one to the Arab Media?

Khaled Abu Toameh: I can’t say that there is a major difference between what Mahmoud Abbas has been saying in Arabic and what he has been saying in English. His message in both languages has been that he does not believe in the "militarization" of the intifada and that he wants to negotiate a peaceful settlement with Israel. In any case, Abbas rarely speaks in English.

Jonathan Rynhold, Israel: My question relates to the refugee issue. Is it conceivable that the PA would be willing and able to reach and implement a permanent status agreement with Israel, in which no more than 100,000 refugees entered Israel?

Khaled Abu Toameh: There are many indications that the Palestinians would be prepared to make certain concessions on the right of return for the refugees. Most of the refugees have come to terms with the fact that they would never be allowed to return to their original villages inside Israel. A lot depends on what they are offered in the framework of a comprehensive agreement with Israel.