The Arab Union Only Does What America Dictates

The editor of the London-based online newspaper Rai al-Youm severely criticized the Arab countries’ silence in regard to the crimes the Zionist regime has committed in the Gaza Strip; he emphasized that creating a schism among the countries of the region has been planned.

Abdel Bari Atwan said in an interview about the Arab Union’s position on the Gaza conflict, “If the Arab Union really wanted to, it could take serious measures. However, this union is not in the process of taking any actions to assist the Palestinian nation. For example, the Arab Union approved of sending military aid to the Syrian opposition. It was this union that expulsed the Syrian government. This union supported the NATO attack on Libya. Based on this, if the Arab Union wanted to, it could take practical steps in supporting the Palestinian nation.”

Atwan added, “The actuality is that the Arab Union only does what America dictates. Why haven’t Egypt and Jordan expelled the Israeli ambassadors? We will not remain silent in the face of the Arab Union’s humiliating positions, although it approved of sending financial aid to the Palestinians. Most member countries of the Arab Union consider the Hamas party to be a terrorist group. The officials of these countries hope that Israel will destroy Hamas forever. All of the Arab regimes are against armed resistance. For this reason, the Arab Union delayed holding its special session to give the Israeli planes the opportunity to break the resistance in the Gaza Strip. This special session is being held at the request of Kuwait. Why didn’t Mahmoud Abbas pose this request? Mahmoud Abbas did not want to anger Israel and America. The other issue is that this meeting will be held in Cairo. We know that the Egyptian government does not want a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip under the current conditions. Egypt’s resistance is also because it desires Hamas’ destruction. It destroyed 1,300 tunnels on the Gaza border and closed the Rafah crossing, even to ill people, for three months.”

He pointed out, “Mahmoud Abbas says his request is for international support of the Palestine state. Does he mean the deployment of international forces? We witnessed the second massacre of Qana in which the Lebanese sought refuge at the United Nations Headquarters, but still did not escape the Israeli air strike. Mahmoud Abbas actually wants international support of the Palestinian Authority, and not defense of the Palestinian nation. The Arab countries have faced division and dissection. We have witnessed the disintegration and dissolution of the Arab countries. We are faced with the abnormal tribal classification among the Arab countries. They have divided us into Shiite and Sunni, Arab and Kurd. This issue is very dangerous. These conditions did not come about accidentally; they were completely planned and executed with precision. Nevertheless, the Palestine issue is the best issue that can unite the Islamic nations. The Arab nations, and before them, the Palestinian nation, must stand. We feel hopeless with the procrastination of the Palestinians in the West Bank. Before the start of the Israeli attack on the Gaza Strip, we were witness to the rise and rebellion of the people of the West Bank. However, with the start of the attack on the Gaza Strip, they have subsided. These regrettable conditions are surprising, and are the responsibility of the Palestinian Authority. This authority knows that security coordination with occupiers is sacred. Palestinians in the West Bank must rise up and go to Ramallah and tell Mahmoud Abbas that this situation is unacceptable. The situation of the Palestinian Authority’s president is shameful. What are Mahmoud Abbas and the Fatah Central Committee waiting for? The Arab countries are also responsible, and must hold widespread protests.”

Abdel Bari Atwan said, “One-third of the Arab countries’ budgets are for their militaries, but these armies are not engaged in any war except their nation’s own. In the last two years, Arab countries have spent more than $150 billion on advanced weaponry. Where will these planes and tanks be used? Arab countries along the Persian Gulf, including Saudi Arabia, have F-16s. Why are they not using them?”