Jerusalem Post have an interesting Q&A session, with PLO Arab Minister of Propaganda Chief Negotiator Saeb “It’s a Massacre” Erekat answering readers’ questions.
See if you can go through the questions and answers, and identify all of the instances of Erekat avoiding the question or flat-out lying. Here are some examples.
B.M, Chicago, Illinois, USA:
Why should settlements be dismantled? Shouldn’t a Palestinian State demonstrate tolerance to all religions, like Israel has demonstrated already by giving all citizens equal rights before the law?Saeb Erekat:
Dismantling settlements is facilitating the way for tolerance and coexistence between the State of Palestine and Israel; it’s not about Palestinians not tolerating Jews. We have never been racist. Those who introduce such arguments are only undermining the two state solution.If the reader [who asked this question] wants to consider one state between Jordan and the Mediterranean to be equal, with peace, and live in tolerance with all religions, we will think about it. However, by saying that, I’m afraid somebody will accuse me of trying to undermine the Jewish nature of Israel.
I believe it is in the interest of Palestinians and Israelis to have a two state solution.
Translation: The reason we do not want Jews in our lands is not because we are racist, but to promote tolerance and coexistence (!) Suggesting it is racism is undermining the two-state solution.
The only way that we will be willing to have Jews in our areas is if there is a one-state solution (!) where all religions can live side-by-side (there is currently such an entity – it’s called Israel, you frickin’ moron – ed.)
Martin Rau, Wuppertal, Germany:
Do you call the offer of then Prime Minister Ehud Barak at the Camp David negotiations a “generous offer”? If not, please give some explanations or even point to literature. Thank You.Saeb Erekat:
Camp David was not a failure in my eyes. Camp David brought Palestinians and Israelis to where they have never been before. History will judge that at Camp David, President Clinton succeeded to get President Arafat and Prime Minister Barak to turn 80 percent of never turned stones.I don’t recall a generous offer or a rejection at Camp David. All I know today is that Camp David will constitute the foundation for future peace between Palestinians and Israelis.
Raz Telchai:
I have heard Mr. Erekat speak many times on “historic Palestine” and the Palestinian willingness to compromise by accepting 22% of “historic Palestine.” Where is this historic Palestine, and who are these historic Palestinians?Saeb Erekat:
I am not here to score points. I’m here to explain the need to reconcile and the need to abandon confrontation and violence. It is cheaper for Israelis and Palestinians to negotiate peace in pain and frustration for five years than to exchange bullets for five minutes.Denying historic Palestine does not mean that historic Palestine did not exist. Go back to history and you’ll find out about it. It is also in the Bible.
Notice how he can’t answer the question. He addresses “historic Palestine” but not the so-called “Palestinians.” And it is interesting that he mentions the Bible, without specifics (since the Bible is proof of the Jewish title deed to this land).
David Bennett, Johannesburg, South Africa:
Does Israel have a right to exist as a “Jewish State” in perpetuity (i.e. as it has since 1948 where Jews have been the majority)? And by this I do mean a state that has a vibrant Muslim / Arab Israeli minority which is not discriminated against.My question is important because as a Diaspora Jew, I want to know that if our people are ever the victims of an intended Holocaust again, we will have somewhere to turn to.
I personally hope and pray for a real two state solution, living side by side in peace. But obviously if all the refugees have to come live in Israel, it won’t continue to exist as a Jewish state in the future.
Saeb Erekat:
The PA and PLO have recognized the state of Israel’s right to exist within secure 1967 borders and accepted to have a Palestinian state next to the state of Israel. In terms of geography, Israel is 78% of British mandated Palestine while the state of Palestine will be in the remaining 22%.Israel can call itself whatever it wants to call itself as far as Palestinians go.
The PA/PLO have still not recognized Israel’s right to exist. Also, Transjordan is at least 76% of the British mandated Palestine, not Israel as Erekat claims.
