Mustafa Barghouthi, secretary general of the Palestinian National Initiative and a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council, is considered a moderate in the Palestinian world by the West. His column in Friday's Atlanta Journal and Constitution defines 'moderate' for us as he asks for America's help:
The administration can help level the playing field by taking three steps. First, insist Israel immediately stop all settlement activity. Second, reject Israel’s embrace of apartheid. One set of laws for Jewish settlers and another for Palestinians is unacceptable. Third, accept our democratic choice.The democratic choice mentioned here is the election of Hamas:
Despite the Obama administration’s reluctance to deal with the government Palestinians elected, a breath of fresh air is clearly blowing through Washington. And just in time....Barghouthi also argues that American principles and interests should make them pro-Palestinian. He doesn't mention any requirements from the Palestinians, for example recognizing Israel's right to exist and cessation of terror.
I am convinced that an evenhanded mediator such as former Sen. George Mitchell will soon find that we are not the recalcitrant party. He will uphold American principles and serve American interests if he has the courage to say so. And let us hope that more American officials go see for themselves the harm Israel is causing Palestinians — and long-term Israeli interests — with American tax dollars.
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