Peace is possible, but not the Obama-Netanyahu way

"The key to success for any political negotiations is the will on the Israeli side to put an end to the occupation and to remove the settlements in order to enable the creation of a Palestinian state with its capital in East Jerusalem, besides Israel, whose capital is West Jerusalem", insists the Central Committee of the CPI in its 12th session, which took place in Haifa on 3 Sept. 2010.

The opening ceremony for direct negotiations between the Netanyahu government and the PLO, apparently served US President Obama as a diplomatic and political achievement in the run-up to the Congressional elections in November. Nevertheless, it does not seem that the planed negotiations between PM Netanyahu and PLO Chairman Mahmoud 'Abbas will bring about a peace agreement.

The CPI continues to support the attainment of a just, stable peace through negotiations based on the relevant UN resolutions, on the ending of the Israeli occupation and on the recognition of the Palestinian people's right to sovereignty and independence in the territories occupied in 1967. The experience of the 17 years since the signing of the Oslo Accords has taught us that without prior agreement on a timetable for the negotiations and their goal – the creation of a Palestinian state with its capital in East Jerusalem and the resolution of all final status issues, including the refugee issue – the negotiations have no chance of bringing about an end to the conflict.

The right-wing government led by Netanyahu is interested in direct negotiations as a means of escaping the trough which it has found itself stuck in vis-à-vis international public opinion since the Gaza war (2008/9) and the criminal killing of the passengers aboard the Gaza solidarity flotilla. Netanyahu also considers that ostensible progress will assist the US in pressuring the Arab states to join the conspiratorial offensive on Iran , which is an American-Israeli strategic target. What Netanyahu's government does not have, as is clear from statements by foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman and other ministers, is the will to dismantle the settlements and end the occupation.

Netanyahu and his government do not only reject the principles of retreat from all territories occupied in 1967, the dismantling of the settlements and the solution of the refugee question in accordance with UN resolutions – they are preparing to renew construction in the settlements at the end of the current freeze period. And if that is not enough, they demand that as a precondition for any progress towards an accord, the Palestinian leadership recognize the annexation of territories to Israel and the "Jewish character" of the Israeli state, by which is meant its exemption from the demand for equal national and civil rights for the Arab population in Israel .

We Israeli Communists, Jews and Arabs, warn that Netanyahu's positions and demands, backed up by the Obama administration, will not lead to a peace accord but to another war. The Israeli army's provocations on the northern border and in the Gaza Strip, the accelerated arms race and the various maneuvers all indicate preparations for a military offensive against targets near ( Lebanon , Syria ) and far ( Iran ).

Many Palestinian voices have been raised in criticism of President Abu-Mazen, who has vacillated in the face of the Obama administration's threats to block all economic aid and decided to join the talks. The Palestinian left has published an important and unequivocal proclamation calling to abstain, under current circumstances, from participation in US-sponsored talks, and warning that these will weaken the Palestinian Authority.

The CPI stands in solidarity with the left forces within the Palestinian people, who are struggling against all setbacks in the fight to end the occupation and the attainment of a just and stable peace, and who demand that the Palestinian Authority take a firm stand on Israel 's complete retreat from the territories occupied in 1967.

The CPI calls upon the lovers of peace in Israel , Jews and Arabs, to struggle together against Netanyahu's right-wing government and its disastrous policy and for an Israeli-Palestinian peace without occupation or annexation.

The CPI salutes the courage of the many theater workers, authors and scholars who have declared their refusal to perform in the settlement of Ariel, as in any other settlement, and who have called upon their theaters' managements to work within Israel only. This resistance contributes to the effort to end the occupation and dismantle the settlements, which are an obstacle to a life of peace and good neighborly relations.

The hysteric attempts of government ministers, right-wing MKs (members of the Knesset – the Israeli parliament) and proto-fascist organizations to terrorize theater professionals and artists and to threaten critical academics with dismissal and withdrawal of funding, all point to the strong link between the defense of democracy and freedom of thought and putting an end to the occupation of the Palestinian people.

The Central Committee of the CPI denounces the bullying campaign against theater professionals, artists and academics, as well as the ongoing arrests of those resisting dispossession and settlement in Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan in East Jerusalem .
 
Escalation in the policy of dispossession

The repeated demolitions of the unrecognized village of al-'Araqib in the Negev, entailing the abuse and exposure of its residents, are an expression of the escalating policy of racist dispossession, disrespect for basic human rights and ethnic cleansing.
Arab and Jewish egalitarians have mounted militant opposition to the demolitions, aiding in rebuilding the village. The CPI is proud of their action and commends them.

The CPI denounces the demolitions, the police brutality, and the arrest and court proceedings against fighters for peace and equality – among them Ayman 'Odeh, Secretary of Hadash (The Democratic Front for Peace and Equality).
The CPI reiterates its support for the right to shelter and the right of the Bedouin Arabs to live on their land. The CPI's Political Bureau calls upon the party's organs to continue their actions of solidarity with the residents of Al-'Araqib, to gather donations for them and to do all they can to support the village's reconstruction.
 
The tenth anniversary of October 2000 events

A decade has passed since police and Border Guard personnel shot 13 Palestinian citizens of Israel dead after these protested the oppression of the Palestinian people. Ten years have gone by, but the shooters and those responsible for the killings have not been put on trial and the important findings of the investigative commission headed by Judge Theodor Orr have not been implemented.

The Central Committee supports the declaration of a general strike by the Arab public to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the October events and to highlight the struggle against dispossession and all forms of discrimination, including budgetary discrimination against Arab local councils.
The Central Committee calls upon the party's organs and the Communist Youth to mobilize their forces for the success of the Jewish-Arab event to be held in Nazareth on 2 Oct., marking a decade since the October events and calling for joint struggle against the danger of fascism and for a future of equality. The Central Committee also calls for similar events to be organized in additional cities.