Our Position between Moscow and Washington

Russian President Dimitry Medvedev was the guest of Palestine the day before yesterday, a visit welcomed by Palestinians not only because of the close relations between two states, but also the support Palestinians received from Russia at all levels. Additionally, Russia after the Cold War has exerted its utmost efforts to maintain this special relationship between them in new frameworks, consistent with the post-Soviet stage where national interests will set the tone of international relations and identify the trends of different countries in this world.

Both the Palestinian side and the Russian side clearly agree that they have common interests to promote their relationship; in particular, Russia adopts an independent policy in dealing with countries and the peoples of the world, especially in the Middle East region.

In this context, Russia has undertaken initiatives for an interactive peace process, including a call for the convening of a conference in Moscow to follow up the outcome of the Annapolis Conference held at the end of President Bush’s era. Although the follow-up conference in Moscow was not held because of Israel’s rejection to holding such a conference, Russia didn’t cease its efforts to spur the political course of the conflict. Hopefully, the positive declaration President Medvedev made in Jericho will be an indication of Russia’s established position in support of the struggle of the Palestinian people to obtain their legitimate rights, which is the same attitude Moscow took during and after the Cold War.

In spite of the sides of both states, and the fact that both states are members of the international Quartet of Middle East peacemakers, it is not the issue here, especially in light of Washington’s failure to pressure Israel to freeze settlement activity. But the issue here is that there is a positive development, which is the flying of the Palestinian flag in Washington.

Such a development, if relatively simple, comes in a larger context regarding a series of international resolutions to recognize Palestine as a state within 1967 borders and the upgrading of a number of Palestinian embassies in Western capitals.

Obviously, the path is long and hard before the world’s countries recognize Palestine as a state within 1967 borders. The next goal is for the U.S to recognize Palestine as a state within 1967 borders.

What the Palestinian people need is full conformity between Moscow and Washington regarding the fair, comprehensive and lasting solution of the Palestinian case in accordance with what all the world’s countries agreed upon. This solution is to end both occupation and settlement and to establish a Palestinian state within 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as the Palestinian capital. Consequently, Palestinians will fully obtain their inalienable rights sooner or later.