Civil Society and Peaceful Relations
Simply replacing the structure of dictatorship with the structure of democracy in no way ensures that democracy will survive. The development of civil society is crucial. An independent judiciary, free press, civil rights and individual freedoms including religion, multiparty politics, and governmental checks and balances mark a healthy system.
Simply replacing the structure of dictatorship with the structure of democracy in no way ensures that democracy will survive. The development of civil society is crucial. An independent judiciary, free press, civil rights and individual freedoms including religion, multiparty politics, and governmental checks and balances mark a healthy system.
At its inception the Palestinian Authority had a democratic form, but quickly declined into a grossly corrupt, dictatorial regime. And according to polls by The Center for Palestine Research & Studies (14-16 October) the Palestinian public has a fairly sophisticated idea of what is going on. We hesitate to rely on polls, but it is interesting to note that a positive evaluation of the “status of democracy and human rights” in “Palestine” hovers at around 32 percent. Israel gets a positive rating of 67 percent, the U.S. 55 percent, France 50 percent, Jordan 32 percent and Egypt 29 percent. Sixty-three percent believe corruption exists in PA institutions, and 59 percent believe it will increase or remain the same in the future.
A further 56 percent believe that people “can not criticize the PA without fear.” They were proven right last week when the Authority detained 11 prominent intellectuals who signed a petition accusing the PA of “practicing a horrible policy of corruption and exploitation of the Palestinian people.” Nine members of the legislature also signed the letter but were not arrested.
Hundreds of students in Ramallah, Nablus and Bethlehem were quick to demonstrate on behalf of those arrested, and in Gaza, 35 Palestinian opposition leaders issued a statement criticizing the arrests. One Palestinian human rights group called it the beginning of a civil revolution, and another was “appalled by the actions of the PA and strongly condemns the detention of these citizens.” “All we wanted to do was hold the PA accountable,” said Hossam Khader, a signatory.
Accountability is good for democracy, and we hope the Palestinian public continues to rally on behalf of those who demand good government. A democratic PA would be a blessing for the 97 percent of West Bank and Gaza Palestinians who live under its rule. But the desire for clean government is not to be confused with peaceful Palestinian intentions toward Israel.
The same petition that decried corruption in the PA, decried the signing of the Oslo Accords. Hamas, Islamic Jihad, PFLP and DFLP – all promoters of violence against Jews – were among those who protested the arrest of the activists. We applaud rallies against corruption, but remember rallies praising jihad and the murder of Jews. Forty percent of Palestinians (same poll) still think armed attacks on Israel are a good idea. Sermons and textbooks are still viciously anti-Semitic, and Mrs. Arafat’s diatribe about poison gas reflected commonly held Palestinian opinion.
Strengthening Palestinian civil society will be only the first step, not the last, toward a peaceful future.