We Hope the U.S. Role Will Be Positive and Effective

Interests are concentrated in the region — and to a large extent, the whole world — around the upcoming direct negotiations in Washington. Arab support is clear, with the participation of President Mubarak and King Abdullah of Jordan. Preliminary meetings are showing the support and importance placed upon these negotiations by Arab countries.

It is clear that without positive and effective involvement of the American administration, Netanyahu will not respond to the just demands of any acceptable final settlement. This is due to his expansionist greed, relying on military and political capabilities and influence of Jewish pressure centers throughout Western capitals.

However, American involvement is also related to the upcoming congressional midterm elections. Strong competition between the Democrats and Republicans is also a part of these elections.

Nevertheless, the intentions expressed by President Obama and his administration give the impression of the existence of a strong desire to reach a final settlement. The American administration considers a final peace agreement to be in the national interest of not only the Palestinians, but of the Americans and Israelis as well. These intentions must be given a fair chance and dealt with accordingly. First and foremost, Israel cannot make any provocative steps at the beginning of negotiations, particularly in relation to settlements, which the U.S. administration considers illegal. If the PLO, backed by the Arab world, has responded positively to all the requirements for making these negotiations successful, then the need not to launch any rockets from Gaza for the next year needs to be emphasized. We hope that the American administration, especially after the midterm elections, is able to play its positive part for the benefit of all and the benefit of peace and stability in the region.

What Is the Role of Wealthy Palestinians?

We talk a lot about the failure of Arab financial support regarding our issue and meeting some of our necessary needs. We also talk a lot about the lack or the delay of Arab support, and we blame donor countries. In both cases, we are facing new challenges and taking many austere measures, while regular citizens are still suffering, unsure of his or his children’s future.

The crisis also has a purely Palestinian element. That is the role of tens of thousands of wealthy Palestinians, whether living in the occupied territories or abroad. When we talk about these people, we mean that they are accumulating millions upon millions of dollars in their bank accounts, yet they are not supporting their motherland or the issue, except through statements, empty movements and useless communications. They ruminate in meetings, both closed and open, so as not to have to talk in absolute terms. We restore the Islamic Charitable Hospital, a citadel of Jerusalem. It took $10 million to expand the hospital to accommodate a larger number of patients from Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza. Not one of these wealthy Palestinians donated, whether on an individual or a group level, to achieve this national goal. Keep in mind, that for these people, $10 million dollars is the equivalent of 10 shekels to the average citizen.

Will anyone move? Will anyone hear? Will anyone be concerned with what is done to our dear Jerusalem?