This cause gained traction at a time when the Arabs lacked the power to defend their rights, as they were still reeling from the shock of Sykes-Picot and the calamities it had brought upon them. Conversely, the Arabs failed to capitalize on UN Resolution No. 181, which called for the partition of Palestine, marking the first stage of the conflict, at a time when the Zionist propaganda was still relatively weak. This situation remained unchanged during the subsequent wars Israel waged to expand its territory, culminating in the complete occupation of all Palestinian lands in June 1967. As usual, the Arabs exchanged accusations and failed to formulate a unified strategy for confrontation. They rejected all initiatives, starting with that of the late Tunisian President Habib Bourguiba, who advocated for the principle of “take and demand.” Bourguiba was accused of treason and ostracized.
The same fate befell the Rogers Initiative in 1970, also known as the Second Rogers Plan, which was approved by the then-Egyptian President Jamal Abdel Nasser but rejected by the leaders of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO). On the other hand, Tel Aviv seized upon these events to its advantage, spreading the narrative that the Arabs do not seek peace. When King Fahd’s initiative was approved at the Fez Summit, Israel immediately rejected it, just as it did with King Abdullah’s initiative. Israel has never accepted, nor will it ever accept, the establishment of a self-governing Palestinian state as stipulated in the Camp David Accords.
Today, 147 countries around the world have recognized the Palestinian state, with four others declaring their intention to do so. Yet, none of these countries offered anything substantial to remove the Israeli “knife” from the Palestinians’ throats. What they have provided are nothing more than political statements that can be retracted at any time. We must acknowledge that the Palestinian division has played a significant role in prolonging the conflict and complicating the path to a resolution. Each Palestinian faction sought to fulfill the interests of its external supporters, which is why many of these groups emerged in the 1970s and 1980s as terrorist organizations and hijacked civilian planes, incited violent events such as Black September, and positioned themselves as a de facto authority during the Lebanese Civil War.
Through this, Israel aims to establish the Jewish state, as enshrined in the 2018 Knesset law, by exploiting the fragmentation and weakness of the Arabs, and benefiting from Western support. Israel continues to advance its goals, while the Arabs remain divided, with their Arab League reduced to issuing mere statements of concern and condemnation. Based on the above, the proposed solutions for resolving the Palestinian issue seem like acts of surrender, as there is no unified vision that can convince the world that we, the Arabs, genuinely seek peace. Moreover, there is a lack of will to form a cohesive Arab pressure group. This cycle will continue. Netanyahu will leave, but another like him will take his place to carry on the violence. A new Yahya Sinwar will rise, and Hamas will continue to exploit the Palestinian cause, while innocent Palestinian civilians will continue to be slaughtered daily.
