Palestinians' Confidence in Peace Process Shaken After Massacre in Hebron

The recent massacre of Muslim worshipers in Hebron has deeply shaken the confidence of Palestinians in the ongoing peace process, leading to a significant decline in the popularity of Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Chairman Yasser Arafat. The crisis has highlighted the deep-seated mistrust between Israelis and Palestinians, with many Palestinians questioning the sincerity of Israel's commitment to the peace process. The violence has also raised fears of a return to armed resistance, with some prominent figures, such as Faisal Husseini, advocating for Palestinians to be allowed to bear arms for self-protection.

Key Takeaways:

• The massacre in Hebron has led to a steep decline in the popularity of PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat, with many Palestinians questioning his leadership.
• Faisal Husseini, former head of the peace negotiating team, has advocated for Palestinians to be allowed to bear arms for self-protection, despite knowing that this could lead to more confrontations with Israelis.
• The crisis has highlighted the deep-seated mistrust between Israelis and Palestinians, with many Palestinians doubting Israel's sincerity towards the peace process.
• Confidence in the peace process has dissipated in Jericho, where there have been fierce confrontations with the Israeli army, resulting in one death and scores of injuries.
• Palestinian leaders, such as Hanan Ashrawi, are warning that the leadership cannot continue to undermine its own position by making concessions to Israel without the support of the Palestinian people.
• Ashrawi has also pointed out that the peace process is flawed, as it allows for continued settlement, does not address the issue of land ownership, and allows for the abuse of human rights.
• Despite Arafat's lost popularity, it is likely that he will rebound if he can demonstrate clear gains in the negotiations with Israel.

Statistics:

• One death and scores of injuries have been reported in Jericho as a result of confrontations between Palestinians and the Israeli army.
• The massacre in Hebron has led to a significant decline in the popularity of PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat.
• The peace process has been ongoing for six years, but confidence in it has been shaken recently.
• The Palestinian negotiating team has been led by Hanan Ashrawi, who is now a prominent critic of the peace process.
• Fatah, a key Palestinian faction, has reportedly been suffering from internal divisions and leadership changes, which may have contributed to the crisis of confidence in the peace process.

Sources:

• Byline: Khaled Abu Akker Jerusalem
• "Massacre Shakes Palestinian Peace Process" by Abu Akker, exact date not mentioned
• Interview with Faisal Husseini
• Interview with Hanan Ashrawi
• Interview with Sarhan Salaymeh, Fatah spokesman in Jerusalem
• NEWLN: (Edited by Jonathan Ferziger)