Print
this page |
| PASSIA Diary 2002 | |
|
|
||
Dictionary
of Palestinian Political Terms:
[ A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P R S T U V W ]
 |
 |
 |
 |
From PASSIA's Publications |  |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
(A)
Absentee
Property Law Israeli
Law adopted in March 1950, classifying anyone who was a citizen or resident of
one of the Arab states or a Palestinian citizen on
ABU MAZEN-BEILIN PLAN Officially: ‘Framework for the Conclusion of a Final Status Agreement
Between Israel and the PLO’ of 31 Oct. 1995; its existence was denied for five
years before being published in Sept 2000. Plan drawn up by the PLO's Abu Mazen
and Israeli deputy FM Yossi Beilin (Labor). Proposed Israel's annexation of
4-5% of the West Bank and transfer of Israeli territory to the
Palestinian state; for Jerusalem: to be the capital of Israel, while
nearby Abu-Dis would become the capital of the Palestinian "state";
and on refugees: to form an International Commission for the final
settlement of all aspects of issue.
Active
Organization for the Liberation of
ADMINISTRATIVE DETENTION Imprisonment by Israel of Palestinians from the WBGS
without charge or trial for a period of up to six months, renewable; based on
the ‘Law on Emergency Powers (Detention)’ adopted by the Knesset in 1979.
All-
Allon Plan One of the first settlement schemes, elaborated by
Yigal Allon (Labor) in July 1967 and officially adopted by the Israeli govt. in
June 1968. Main points included the maximization of Israeli security while
minimizing the inclusion of Arab inhabitants, annexation of the strategically
important and sparsely populated
Anglo-American
Committee of Inquiry regarding
continued Jewish immigration into
Arab League see League of
Arab States.
Arab
Liberation Front (ALF - Jabhat At-Tahrir Al-‘Arabiyya) Iraqi-sponsored, Pan-Arabist, leftist military PLO faction, founded as a guerrilla
group in 1969 by Iraqi Ba’athists to
influence the Palestinian resistance movement; originally led by Zeid
Heidar, now by Abdul Rahim Ahmed.
Ideology similar to As-Saiqa, but carries out fewer operations. Based in
ARAB REVOLT (1916-1920) Arab uprising that began June 1916 against the
Ottoman Empire, triggered by the British promise (Hussein-MacMahon
correspondence) to create a great Arab Kingdom (Hijaz, Syria and Iraq), if the
people of the region revolted against Istanbul. The Arab revolt left its marks,
incl. the colors of its flag black, green, white and red (used today by
| (B) |
|
BALFOUR DECLARATION Letter sent on
Black
September Military confrontation
between the Jordanian army and Palestinian guerrillas in
Brezhnev Plan Six-point plan for the Middle East presented by
Soviet Pres. Brezhnev in Sept. 1982, incl.: the inadmissibility of the
acquisition of territory by force (thus the need for a complete Israeli
withdrawal from all Arab territories occupied since 1967, incl. East
Jerusalem); the exercise of the inalienable rights of the Palestinians to
self-determination and to the establishment of their own independent state;
safeguarding the right of all states in the region to secure an independent
existence and development; termination of the state of war and the
establishment of peace between the Arab States and Israel; and the elaboration
and adoption of international guarantees of a peaceful settlement.
British Mandate
Based on the decision of the 1920
San Remo Conference awarding the mandate for
Bypass Road Term that
emerged with the Oslo Accords, referring to roads used by the Israelis to link
settlements with each other and with
Cairo
Agreement see Gaza-Jericho Agreement
CORPUS SEPARATUM (lit.: separate body) The
status proposed for
Declaration of
Principles (DoP)
Agreement reached between PLO members and Israeli government officials,
secretly negotiated in
Democratic
Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP - Al-Jabha
Ad-Dimuqratiyya li-Tahrir Filastin) Left-wing Palestinian group led by its founder Nayef
Hawatmeh (Abu Nouf). Formed as Popular Democratic Front for the Liberation of
Palestine (PDFLP) after splitting from the PFLP in Feb. 1969 following a
leadership dispute (calling for more Maoist approach and a socialist policy) and became ‘DFLP’ in Aug. 1974. Began a dialogue with
the Israeli extreme left in 1970, and played a major role in placing the idea
of a democratic Palestinian state, with equal rights for Jews and Arabs, on the
political agenda in 1973 (two-state solution). Adopted pragmatic positions and
tried to find a midway position between Arafat and his opponents. Member of the
UNLU during the first Intifada. Split in 1990-91
over policy differences with Yasser Abed Rabbo forming the non-Marxist Fida. Refused to attend the
DEPORTATION Punitive measure prohibited without exception by
Art. 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention (1949) but used by
Disengagement
DUnUm Unit of land area used in
ERETZ
EUROPEAN UNION SPECIAL ENVOY to the Middle East Peace Process is Miguel Angel
Moratinos Cuyaube (appointed in Dec. 1996), a Spanish diplomat and former
Ambassador to
Fahd Plan Eight‑point peace
plan to resolve the Arab-Israeli conflict proposed by Prince Fahd of Saudi
Arabia (Aug. 1981): creation of a Palestinian state, Arab recognition of
Israel's right to exist, and the UNSC establishing guarantees for peace in the
region. Endorsed at the Arab League summit in
FATEH Acronym for Harakat At-Tahrir Al-Filistiniya (Palestinian Liberation Movement),
with the first letters in reverse order giving (Fateh = conquest). Formally
founded in
FATEH Revolutionary Council
(Fateh RC) Anti-Arafat faction established by Sabri Khalil
Al-Banna (Abu Nidal); produced magazine Filastin
Ath-Thawra; also referred to as Abu Nidal Organization. Split
from Fateh in 1974 and - after an assassination
attempt on Abu Mazen - expelled from the PLO with Al-Banna sentenced to death. It became known for military operations in Europe
(such as at the Olympic Games in Munich in 1972), at times under the name Black September. Believed to be behind assassinations of PLO ‘moderates’ in the late
1970s/early 1980s (e.g., Said Hamami).
Close to Libya and Egypt. Listed as a ‘terrorist’ organization by the US
State Dept.
FATEH Uprising
Led
by former Fateh Col. Sa’ed Musa Muragha (Abu Musa), broke away from mainstream Fateh in 1983, aflter
blaming Arafat’s corruption for
ineffective response to Israel’s invasion of Lebanon. Based in Damascus, with
guerrillas in Syria and Lebanon, and opposes any political settlement with
Israel.
FEZ PLAN Peace proposal agreed on at the Arab League
summit in Fez, Morocco, in Sept. 1982. The plan offered implicit recognition of
Israel in exchange for Israeli withdrawal from all occupied lands,
establishment of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, and
recognition of the PLO as representative of Palestinian people. The PNC
endorsed the plan while Israel and some PLO factions rejected it.
FIDA (Al-Ittihad
Ad-Dimuqrati Al-Filastini - Palestinian
Democratic Union) Reformist movement
established in March 1990 as a split
faction of the DFLP; headed since by Yasser Abed Rabbo, who also represents
FIDA in the PLO Exec. Committee. Consists mainly of West Bank residents. Advocates democratization in the Palestinian arena
and focuses on a party system that reflects political pluralism and democracy. Critically supports the Oslo process. The Sec.-Gen. is Saleh Ra’fat.
Gaza-Jericho
Autonomy Agreement Also referred to
as Cairo or Oslo I Agreement; signed on 4 May 1994, outlining the first stage
of Palestinian autonomy - in Gaza and Jericho - incl. Israeli redeployment and
the establishment of a Palestinian self-government authority. Israel remains in
control of the settlements, military locations, and security matters. The
stipulated interim period ended on 4 May 1999 and triggered a heated debate
among the Palestinians as to whether to declare unilaterally a Palestinian
state.
General Unions Well-established PLO-affiliated popular
organizations, often older than the PLO, representing important sectors of
Palestinian society worldwide. There are General Unions of Palestinian
Students, Workers, Women, Teachers, Writers & Journalists, Jurists,
Engineers, Doctors, Artists, Artistic Performers, Farmers, and Economists.
GENEVA CONFERENCES (1)Conference
for Peace in the Middle East in Dec. 1973 in Geneva, attended by Egypt, Israel,
the US, the USSR, Jordan and the UN Sec.-Gen. Created working groups but
achieved no further results.
(2)Acknowledging that separate solutions like Camp David
did not solve much and that the exclusion of Palestinian representatives would
not lead to a fair and lasting peaceful solution, the UNGA call for an
International Conference. It convened 23 Aug.-7 Sept. 1983 in Geneva, attended
by 137 states and boycotted by Israel and the US. At the end, the ‘Geneva
Declaration’ was adopted, calling for a peace conference under the auspices of
the UN with full participation on an equal footing of all parties to the
conflict incl. the PLO, plus the US, the USSR and other countries concerned. This
declaration was endorsed by the UNGA in Res. 38/58C on 13 Dec. 1983.
Green Area Areas
zoned by municipal authorities for open space in which no construction is
allowed so as to maintain a minimum of greenery in a city. Often used, however,
to block Palestinian development and absorb the land for settlement expansion.
Green LINE Term used following Israel’s occupation of the West
Bank and Gaza in 1967 to refer to the post-1948 War cease-fire line (proper
name is ‘1949 Armistice Line’), i.e., the "border" separating
pre-1967 Israel from the OPT. The demarcation line (laid down in the Armistice
Agreements of 1949) is the internationally recognized border (it is worth
noting that Israel has not specified the boundaries of its state until this
day).
Gush Emunim (‘Bloc of the Faithful’). Israeli extra-parliamentary
religious lobby that believes the ‘Greater Land of Israel’ is the fulfillment
of the Zionist dream and a step in the messianic redemption process and,
therefore, opposes the return of territory conquered by Israel in 1967. Since
1967, the single most active settlement movement in the OPT, with over half of
all settlements in the West Bank affiliated with its various administrative,
ideological and pedagogic divisions.
HAMAS (Islamic
Resistance Movement) Abbreviation of
Harakat Al-Muqawama Al-Islamiyya –
means ‘zeal’. Not a PLO member; fundamentalist political movement grown out of
religious associations. Served as the
Muslim Brotherhood’s link to the first Intifada. Emerged shortly after the outbreak of the Intifada in Jan. 1988, and was initially tolerated, if not
encouraged, by Israel as an alternative to the PLO. Spiritual leader and
founding father is Sheikh Ahmad Yassin (freed from an Israeli jail after 9
years on 1 Oct. 1997); other founding leaders are - Fattah Dukhan, Mohd.
Shama’, Dr. Ibrahim Al-Yazuri, Issa An-Najjar, Salah Shehadeh and Abdul-Aziz
Rantisi. The Hamas Covenant, issued in
Aug. 1988, declared that all of Palestine is Islamic trust land and can never be
surrendered to non-Muslims, and
proclaimed jihad against Israel.
Advocates an Islamic state in all of historic Palestine and the application of
Shar’ia Law. Worked independently from the UNLU during the Intifada but does not question the PLO’s role as representative of
the Palestinian people at an international level. Agreed to abide by decisions
of the PNC in 1989, but called for elections to it (1991). Gained popularity through charitable efforts and the
provision of educational and health services. Has been responsible for many
attacks on Israeli targets (mostly carried out by its military wing, the Izz
Eddin Al-Qassem units). Strongly opposes Oslo; member of the ‘Alliance of
Palestinian Forces’ opposed to the peace process. Boycotted the Palestinian
elections of Jan. 1996. After Fateh, largest Palestinian faction, but shows
signs of a rift between a moderate dialogue-based approach (Gaza) and one of
violence (advocated by the Amman-based leadership). Listed as ‘terrorist’
organization by the US State Dept.
Haram Ash-Sharif The Noble
Sanctuary, one of the three most important sites in Islam spread over 135
dunums comprising nearly 1/6th of Jerusalem’s Old City. Both Al-Aqsa
Mosque and the Dome of the Rock are located on the compound, which in its
entirety is regarded as a mosque. Jews refer to the area as “Temple Mount”,
claiming it is the location of the “Second Temple,” destroyed by the Romans.
Haycraft
Commission Of Inquiry issued its
report in Oct. 1920, attributing the recent disturbances to Arab fears about
increasing Jewish immigration into Palestine.
Hebron
AgreemenT Reached on 15 Jan. 1997;
Israel agreed to withdraw from 80% of the city (H1), but retained control over
an enclave with 450 settlers and 35,000 Palestinians in the city’s center (20%,
H2). H2 includes the Old City, Ibrahimi Mosque and seven settlements (Abraham
Avino, Bet Hadassah, Bet Romano, Ramat Yashai - Tel Rumaida, Nahum Horse/Yehuda
Barqoush, Bet Hashasha, Rachel Salonique).
Hizbullah (‘Party of God’) Iranian-backed Islamic
organization, based in predominantly Shi'ite areas of South Lebanon.
Hope-Simpson
Commission of Inquiry into the
Palestinian uprisings in 1929. The Commission recommended in Aug. 1929 that
Jewish immigration and land purchase should be restricted as it threatens Arab
agriculture and development.
Hussein-McMahon
Correspondence The July 1915-Jan.
1916 correspondence between Sherif Hussein of Mecca and Sir Henry McMahon,
British High Commissioner in Egypt, which concluded with an understanding on
Arab post-war independence from the Ottoman Empire, including Palestine. Based
on this correspondence, Sherif Hussein launched the Arab Revolt and declared
Arab independence from Ottoman rule in June 1916.
Interim
Agreement on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip Also referred to as Taba or Oslo II Agreement.
Concluded in Taba on 26 Sept. 1995 and signed in Washington on the 28th.
Outlines the 2nd stage of Palestinian autonomy, extending it to
other parts of the West Bank, which is divided into Area A (full Palestinian
civil jurisdiction and internal security), Area B (full Palestinian civil
jurisdiction, joint Israeli-Palestinian internal security), and Area C (Israeli
civil and overall security control). Furthermore, the election and powers of a
Palestinian Legislative Council were determined. (Oct. 1997 was the target date
for the completion of further redeployment and Oct. 1999 for reaching a final
status agreement.)
INTIFADA (‘Civil Uprising’; Arabic, lit.: ‘shaking off’)
(1) What is today referred to as “first Intifada”
erupted in Gaza on 9 Dec. 1987 after four Palestinians were killed when an
Israeli truck collided with two vans carrying Palestinian workers. Ensuing
clashes spread rapidly to the rest of the OPT. The Intifada was carried by
youth and directed by the Unified National Leadership of the Uprising - a
coalition of the main factions, with the goal to end the Israeli occupation and
establish Palestinian independence. Israel's heavy-handed response included
closing universities, deporting activists, destroying homes, but also stirred
the international community into finding a permanent solution. With the signing
of the Oslo accords, the Intifada came to an end; casualties were high with
over 1,500 Palestinians dead, and tens of thousands injured.
(2)Also referred to as Al-Aqsa Intifada; Began on 28 Sept. 2000 when Likud opposition leader Ariel Sharon made a
provocative visit to Al-Aqsa Mosque, with thousands of security forces deployed
in and around the Old City. Ensuing clashes with Palestinian protestors left in
the first two days alone five Palestinians dead and over 200 injured. The
incident soon sparked a widespread uprising in the WBGS, inside Israel and the
Arab World, and brought the peace process to a halt. After two years, the death
toll among Palestinians had reached over 1,000, with over 20,000 injured and
unprecedented destruction to Palestinian infrastructure and economy.
Islamic Jihad
(Al-Jihad Al-Islami) Split from the Muslim Brotherhood in the mid-1980s
and was formed as a separate militant Islamic movement; led by Abdul Aziz Odeh
(until his deportation 1988) and then Fathi Shiqaqi (until his assassination on
26 Oct. 1995 in Malta). Currently headed by Ramadan Abdallah Salah. Group
advocates armed struggle for the liberation of Palestine which is a
prerequisite for Islamic ascendancy; believes struggle must be preceded by
spreading religious values in the society.
It does not see itself as a rival to the mainstream PLO but strongly opposes
the Oslo Accords. Listed as ‘terrorist’ organization by the US State Dept.
Izz Eddin
Al-Qassem Military wing of Hamas and nominally controlled by
it, but largely a nebula of small groups; responsible for numerous attacks on
Israeli targets, incl. suicide bombings. Named after Muslim Brotherhood member
Sheikh Izz Eddin Al-Qassam, who preached Jihad against the British and the
Zionists, and was killed in action by British forces near Jenin in 1935.
Karameh PLO base in Jordan in the 1960s, where Palestinian
resistance forces confronted Israeli troops in their first major battle in
March 1968.
King-Crane
Commission International Commission
of Inquiry, led by the Americans Henry King and Charles Crane, to examine the
situation in Palestine in June‑July 1919; their report, warning against
the effects of unrestricted Jewish immigration and Zionist plans on Palestinian
Arabs, was kept secret for three years and remained unpublished until 1947.
LEAGUE OF ARAB STATES Established on 22 March 1945 by the then independent
Arab states (Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Jordan, Yemen) as a
forum for concerted action on major issues its members face. Today has 22
members and represents over 200 million people. In 1964, the Arab League
decided to establish the PLO “to organize the Palestinian people enabling them
to play their role in the liberation of their country and to achieve
self-determination”, and at the 7th summit meeting in Rabat in Oct.
1974, it recognized the PLO as the “sole representative of the Palestinian
people”. In 1976, the PLO was admitted as a full member, and since 1989 it has
been a member as ‘the State of Palestine’. Current Sec.-Gen. of the Arab League
is Amr Musa.
MACDONALD WHITE PAPER British Gov’t White Paper of 17 May 1939 disclaims
any intention to create a Jewish state, places restrictions on Jewish
immigration and land purchase and envisages an independent state in Palestine
within ten years. Rejected by the Zionists, who then organized terrorist groups
and launched a bloody campaign against the British and the Palestinians with
the aim to drive them both out of Palestine and to pave the way for the
establishment of the Zionist state
MADRID CONFERENCE Middle East Peace Conference opened in Madrid on 30
Oct. 1991 under the co-chairmanship of the US and the Soviet Union (instead of
the long wanted UN-sponsored international
conference). Initiated two tracks: bilateral talks (started in Washington on 9 Dec. 1991) and multilateral
talks (started in Moscow on 28 Jan. 1992).
MENA Summits /
Conferences The first Middle East
and North Africa Economic (MENA) Summit was held in Casablanca from 30 Oct.-1
Nov. 1994, attended by representatives of 64 countries. The second took place
in Amman from 29-31 Oct. 1995 and the third in Cairo from 12-15 Nov. 1996. Due
to the slowing down of the peace process since the election of Netanyahu, it
was downgraded to just a
‘Conference’. The fourth conference took place in Doha (Qatar) from 16-18 Nov.
1997, but was boycotted by most Arab countries, incl. the PA.
MITCHELL REPORT Fact-Finding Committee to investigate the events of the Al-Aqsa
Intifada, how to prevent their recurrence, how to rebuild confidence and resume
negotiations. The Committee, headed by former US senator George J. Mitchell,
was formed following the summit at Sharm Ash-Sheikh (17 Oct. 2000), attended by
Israel, the PA, Egypt, Jordan, the US, UN, and EU, that took place in the wake
of the Intifada. Members of the committee were: ex-senator Warren Rudman,
former Turkish Pres. Suleiman Demirel, the EU’s Javier Solana and Norwegian FM
Thorbjorn Jagland. Recommendations of the report, completed on 30 April 2001
and published on 20 May 2001, included a “freeze of all settlement activity,
including the ‘natural growth’ of existing settlements”, a call on both sides
to reaffirm their commitment to existing agreements, immediate unconditional
cessation of violence and resumption of security cooperation.
Morrison-Grady
Plan Federal solution for Palestine
proposed by British Dep. PM Herbert Morrison and US Amb. Henry Grady in July
1946: to convert the British Mandate into a trusteeship and to divide the
country into a Jewish and an Arab province and two districts (Jerusalem and
Negev). Palestine Roundtable Conference in Sept. in London rejects the plan;
Arab delegates propose unitary state of Palestine, in which Jews would have
full civil rights.
Multilateral
Talks Launched at the 1991 Madrid
Conference, split into five working groups coordinated by the World Bank and
dealing respectively with water, security and armaments control, refugees,
environment, and economic development. Various rounds of talks were held until
1995 and few steering committee meetings took place in 1996 before things went
quiet due to the general stalemate of the peace process.
MUSLIM
BROTHERS (Al-Ikhwan Al-Muslimun) Established in 1929 by Hassan Al-Banna in Egypt as an Islamic
political-religious movement, with the goal of fighting against Egypt’s secular
1923 constitution and preaching the return to Islam’s fundamental values.
Spread soon to other Arab countries; considered ideological basis/forefather of
many Islamic organizations to emerge.
Muslim-Christian
Association (MCA) Appeared first in
Jaffa in Nov. 1918 and in early 1919 in Jerusalem as a result of the Palestinian
goal to express a national identity and to establish forums to express
opposition to Zionism. It was composed of representatives of leading families
and religious scholars and soon became a countrywide network with its
headquarters in Jerusalem.
An-NaKSA see War of
1967.
An-Naqba The 1948 ‘catastrophe’ surrounding the establishment
of the state of Israel, resulting in the dispersion of Palestinians worldwide.
OPEN BRIDGES POLICY Policy by Israeli DM Moshe Dayan after the 1967 War
to provide access for the Palestinians to the Arab World via Jordan and
facilitate the export of Palestinian products (competition for Israel), and the
passage of workers (e.g., to the Gulf states). In reality meant to encourage
emigration as Palestinians aged 20-40 were
not permitted to return for nine months.
Operation
‘Defensive Shield’ Israeli
reinvasion of West Bank cities in March/April 2002 (Al-Aqsa Intifada),
which left most of the population under prolonged curfews and the PA
infrastructure in ruins and caused unprecedented damages to private and public
properties.
Operation
‘Grapes of Wrath’ Major attack on Lebanon launched by Israel in April
1996 in retaliation against recent Hizbollah attacks. The Israeli attack left
over 150 civilians killed.
Operation Litani
Operation launched by Israel in
March 1978 in retaliation against a PLO commando attack on a bus near Haifa
four days earlier: full-scale invasion of Lebanon in order to push PLO
positions away from the border, bolster the power of the SLA, and seize a
security belt south of the Litani River, inflicting thousands of casualties.
Operation
‘Peace For Galilee’ Israeli
invasion of Lebanon in 1982, including a two-month siege and bombardment of
Beirut, until PLO forces agreed to leave. Some 18,000 people were reported
killed and 30,000 injured, the vast majority of whom were civilians. Israeli
forces occupied Beirut until July 1983 when they withdrew to the ‘security
zone’.
Or Commission Israeli investigation
commission established to look into the events and clashes that took place in
the Arab sectors of Israel in Oct. 2000 (at the beginning of the Al-Aqsa
Intifada) and that left 13 Israeli-Arabs dead. Named after the commission’s
chairman, Justice Theodor Or.
Organization
of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Created
in 1969 following the arson at Al-Aqsa Mosque - considered an attack on the
whole of Muslim world - to coordinate efforts to protect the Holy Places of
Islam and to support the struggle of the Palestinian people helping them
recover their rights and free their land. Has also political, cultural,
economic and social objectives. Currently 54 members.
ORIENT HOUSE Main political presence of the Palestinians in East
Jerusalem and the PLO's unofficial representation in the city. Property of the
Husseini family, built in 1897. Subject to an Israeli law of Dec. 1994 banning
any political PLO activity in the city not approved by the Israeli govt. Though
Israel mainly pursues a policy of non-interference with Palestinian
institutions in East Jerusalem, it regularly threatens Orient House with full
or partial closure. On 10 Aug.
2001, Israeli troops stormed and occupied the building, confiscated computers,
data, files and other materials. Since then Orient House has been closed.
Oslo I
Agreement see Gaza-Jericho
Agreement
Oslo II
Agreement see Interim
Agreement on the West Bank and Gaza Strip
OSLO (PEACE) PROCESS Series of peace talks that began with secret
negotiations in Norway between PLO members and Israeli officials and led to the
DoP in Sept. 1993, outlining the way for further bilateral negotiations hoped
to bring a permanent solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Palestine
Liberation Front (PLF) Militant PLO
faction formed by Mohammed Zeidan (Abu-l-Abbas) and Tala‘at Yaqoub in April 1977 after splitting from PFLP and later PFLP-GC (1977)
to follow a pro-Iraqi stance. Split into 3 different factions in the 1980s:
pro-Damascus faction under Tala‘at Yaqoub, pro-Iraqi faction under Abu-l-Abbas
and ‘Ali Ishaq, and a militantly pro-Syrian under Abdel-Fattah Ghanim. Member of the Rejectionist Front. Responsible
for the hijacking of the Achille Lauro in 1985. Its position toward the PLO leadership and Chairman
Arafat is uncertain but strongly opposes the Madrid and Oslo processes. Currently represented in the PLO Exec. Committee by
Ali Ishaq. Listed as ‘terrorist’ organization by the US State Dept.
Palestine
People’s PartY (Hizb Ash-Sha’ab) Leftist PLO faction, founded in Feb. 1982 in the OPT
as the Palestinian Communist Party. Broke with its Leninist past in 1991 and
re-launched itself under the new name as a democratic, pragmatic and popular
party. Member of the UNLU during the first Intifada.
Led by Bashir Barghouti from 1982-98; in Oct. 1998, the party held its 3rd
Convention in Ramallah and elected a three-member committee as Gen. Secretariat
(Mustafa Barghouthi, Hana Amira and Abdel Majid Hamdan). Supports Oslo, but
calls for reconstruction of PLO & dialogue with opposing groups. Plays a more important role locally than in the PLO,
where it is represented in the Exec. Committee by Suleiman An-Najjab.
Palestinian
Legislative Council (PLC) Elected on
20 Jan. 1996 in accordance with the Oslo I and II Accords. Made up of 88
members elected in 16 electoral districts of varying sizes (voter turnout:
79%). Of the 88 seats, 49 are held by Fateh, 15 by independents affiliated with
Fateh, 4 by independents affiliated with Islamist movements, 17 by
independents, and 3 by others. Responsible for drafting a Palestinian
constitution as well as legal and regulatory frameworks. All legislation and
acts must be transmitted to the Israeli authorities for approval. The PLC has
no powers in terms of foreign relations and agreements. Its members automatically
become members of the PNC.
Palestinian
Liberation Army (PLA) Formed in 1964
as the PLO’s military branch led by Arafat, with three brigades: Ein Jalut
(Gaza and Egypt), Qadisiyya (Iraq) and Hittin
(Syria). Established the Popular Liberation Troops (Kuwat At-Tahrir Ash-Sha’biya) in Gaza in 1968 as commando units to
fight against the Israeli occupation. Followed the strategy of guerrilla
warfare, with most forces deployed in Syria and Lebanon. Some PLA units
deployed in the OPT following the Oslo Accords, where they were absorbed into
the PA security apparatus.
Palestinian
National Authority (PNA) Established
on the basis of the DoP signed by the PLO and Israel on 13 Sept. 1993 and
governs Palestinian affairs in the self-rule areas. It consists of the elected
President (Yasser Arafat), the appointed cabinet (executive committee currently
composed of 32 PNA Ministers) and the Palestinian Legislative Council (88
elected members). The PNA is subject to the agreements signed with Israel and
as such has no foreign relation powers. It will be responsible for negotiating
the permanent status issues towards a final settlement with Israel.
Palestinian
National Council (PNC) Legislative
and decision-making body of the PLO; quasi-parliament in exile, representing Palestinians
worldwide; formulates policies and guidelines for the Exec. Committee. Elects
the Exec. Committee, a speaker, two deputies and a secretary, who make up the
Bureau of the Council. Currently 669 members, most of whom appointed by the PLO
Exec. Committee (previously 483, with 84 seats for representatives from the OPT
left vacant; now joined by 186 members from inside the Palestinian Territories,
including -automatically- the 88 elected PLC members). Voted for altering its
1964 National Charter in line with the DoP on 21 April 1996 with a vote of 504
to 54 and 14 abstentions; the remaining members boycotted, opposing the removal
of the articles Israel finds offensive. Meets every 2 years;
resolutions are passed by a simple majority, but 2/3rds of members
must attend for quorum. [Pres.:
Salim Zanoun; Vice-Pres.: Taysir Quba’a; 2nd Sec.: Bishop Elias
Khoury; Sec.: Mohammed Sbeih.]
Palestinian
National Front (PNF) Formed in Jan.
1973 by the PNC to act as an organizational framework and autonomous PLO
affiliate to coordinate activities of nationalist resistance forces in the OPT.
It formed the nationalist bloc for candidates in the 1976 elections and won 18
out of 24 city council seats. It was declared illegal by Israel in Oct. 1978,
and then absorbed by its successor, the National
Guidance Committee, which coordinated opposition to Camp David and the
Begin administration (outlawed by Israel in May 1982).
Palestinian
National FUND Managed by a board of
directors (appointed by the PLO Exec. Committee) and a chairman (elected by the
PNC), with a maximum of 11 members. Revenues come from a fixed tax on the wages
earned by all Palestinians living in Arab countries and collected by those
respective governments and from financial contributions by Arab states and
people, a substantial amount in the past but now disappearing.
Palestinian
National Salvation Front (PNSF)
Umbrella organization opposing Arafat’s policies and undermining his
leadership. It was formed in March 1985 by the PFLP and pro-Syrian groups in
Damascus and is chaired by Khaled Al-Fahum.
PARTITION PLAN On 29 Nov. 1947, the UNGA passed the Partition Plan
(UN Res. 181) dividing Palestine into a Jewish and Arab state, with Jerusalem
and Bethlehem as a corpus separatum under
a special international regime. The idea of partition was first suggested by
the Peel Commission in 1937. The plan granted the Jews 56.47% of Mandatory
Palestine - at a time when they owned less than 7% of the land - with a
population of 498,000 Jews and 325,000 Arabs, and the Palestinians 43.53% of
Palestine, with 807,000 Arab inhabitants and 10,000 Jewish inhabitants. For
Jerusalem, where the population was 100,000 Jews and 105,000 Arabs, an
international trusteeship and free access to the Holy Places was foreseen.
‘Passfield’
White Paper British govt. White
Paper of Oct. 1930 stating that Jewish immigration and land purchases should
stop. Following strong Zionist protests, however, British PM MacDonald sent
Chaim Weizman a ‘Black Letter’ a few months later, nullifying the clauses of
the White Paper.
