Moderate Palestinian Prime Minister Visits London

J. Sean Curtin (Fellow, GLOCOM)

On Monday, the Palestinian Prime Minister, Ahmed Qurei, visited London to appeal to Tony Blair, the British Prime Minister, for help in moving forward the stalled peace process between Israelis and Palestinians. Mr. Qurei spoke of his hope for peace between the two sides, while strongly condemning the construction of a controversial wall around the Palestinian territories.

Before his discussions with Tony Blair, Prime Minister Qurei addressed the Royal Institute of International Affairs for an hour. In his presentation, he emphasized the need for peace, while continually denouncing the construction of a separation wall currently being built by Israel on Palestinian land. He also outlined the hardships ordinary Palestinians face in their daily lives and appealed to the international community for help. In the last half of the session, the prime minister took questions from the audience. Mr. Qurei came across as a moderate man who offers a ray of hope to the tortuous peace process.

Prime Minister Qurei started his address at the Royal Institute of International Affairs by focusing on the wall Israel is constructing around the Palestinian territories. His main point was that while he accepts that Israel has every right to construct a security wall on its own territory, he totally rejects the building of a barrier on Palestinian land.

Mr. Qurei said, "The Apartheid separation wall is really a wall for the expansion and confiscation of Palestinian territories which the Israelis persist in building on our land and our territory." He added, "The plunder of land and colonialist expansion is now in its fourth decade." Describing the wall, he also said, "It embodies the ugliest activities of its kind to unilaterally draw borders. It also marks the intention of obstructing the realization of the two state solution in accordance with the vision of President George Bush."

He also repeatedly spoke of the need for a peaceful outcome. He believed one was still achievable, if both sides received genuine support from the international community. He said, "Today, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict may be arriving at a rare positive turning point in the history of this long struggle. This depends really on the proper performance of the international community at the forefront of which are the Quartet [United States, European Union, United Nations and Russia] and the G8."

He explained why he believes that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict lies at the heart of most of the region's problems. He said, "It provides terrorism with religious, political and social justification that finds fertile ground among the poor and deprived sector of the society, particularly because of the lack of job opportunities and political participation."

He called on the international community to actively assist in the Middle East peace process and underlined the vital importance of the United States in the whole process. He said, "I also repeat our call on the United States administration to act upon its moral and political responsibility as a sponsor of the peace process. Without the United States, the great superpower of this world, it would not be possible to end this conflict."

The Prime Minister also emphasized that the Palestinians are working hard towards a peaceful settlement and a meaningful ceasefire with Israel. He voiced the hope of soon holding new elections in the Palestinian territories once it becomes practically possible.

Mr. Qurei ended his 20 minute address by pledging to fight extremism and hate, but warned that the extremists were gaining momentum while the position of the peacemakers was losing ground. Palestinians, Israelis and the international community must all work hard if there is going to be a peaceful two state solution.

Following his speech, he answered questions for about half an hour. A reporter from Israel Radio asked, "The Israeli Foreign Minister, Silvan Shalom, said in London last week that you were markedly reluctant to meet your Israeli counterpart, Ariel Sharon. Will you be seeing him before he goes to Washington later this month?"

Prime Minister Qurei responded, "Regarding the meeting with Mr. Sharon, I am not against the meeting…. From the early beginning we said 'yes we want a meeting,' but we want a meeting to send a really positive, constructive message to the people on both sides, the Palestinians and the Israelis. We want to send, after three years of suffering, a real message of hope to the people that need it."

Peter Snow of the BBC asked, "Time is running out you said for a two state solution. What do you say Prime Minister to those, it appears a growing number, who say, 'Two state solution, too late.' Israeli encroachment on the occupied territories is such that it is no longer sensible and viable for Palestinians. Go for a single state in the whole of Palestine, demand political rights in it for the Palestinians. You will soon after all be a majority in that state."

Mr. Qurei replied, "Regarding the two state solution, I still believe it is the only choice. The one state solution has been proposed in the past back in 1969. The Israelis refused it at that time and there was no support from the international community. Because there would be a Palestinian majority, not an Israeli majority, therefore the choice is the two state solution."

An official from the Israeli Embassy in London inquired, "I would like to ask about Hamas [the radical Palestinian organization]. On the eve of a possible Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, and bearing in mind your failure to reach a ceasefire with Hamas, can you share with us your view on Hamas? Do you think it can pose a danger to the Palestinian Authority."

Mr. Qurei responded, "Hamas is not a danger for the Palestinians. No, Hamas are part of the Palestinians. We have differences, but we can negotiate with each other. We can, if the Israelis take their pressure away, I think we can convince each other."

After the presentation, I asked the Prime Minister, who was just about to meet Tony Blair, "Do you think your discussions with Prime Minister Blair will produce any concrete results?" He replied, "I am hopeful. I am hopeful Britain will play a bigger role in the peace process. We need Britain to play a part in negotiations, because of its historical role in the region and its very close relationship with the United States."

I was struck by the Prime Minister's affable nature and genuine charm. These characteristics probably lie behind his successful career as a peace negotiator. It is reported that his relaxed style has won him friendships with many of his Israeli counterparts. Hopefully these skills will help him move the ailing peace process forward in the difficult times that lie ahead.

Profile: Ahmed Qurei
Ahmed Qurei took over as Palestinian Prime Minister when his predecessor, Mahmoud Abbas, resigned in early September 2003. Prior to this he was the Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council, having made his name as one of the architects of the historic Oslo peace accords signed with Israel in 1993. Within the Palestinian leadership, Mr. Qurei is considered a moderate and pragmatic figure, an impression he gave to the audience at the Royal Institute of International Affairs.

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