Conference of Presidents slams Fatah convention rhetoric

The Conference of Presidents is criticizing statements made Tuesday at the Fatah Congress.

"Statements by Abu Alaa praising suicide bombers who have killed dozens of people is wholly unacceptable and represents the true challenge to the chances for peace in the region," said Conference chairman Alan Solow and executive vice chairman Malcolm Hoenlein in a statement. "Statements by other Fatah officials urged the continuation of armed resistance and asserted that Fatah would not recognize the State of Israel. These declarations, made by the so-called ‘moderate’ Palestinian faction puts into sharp focus the question of the real beliefs of the party with whom Israel is to negotiate."

Alaa reportedly referred to two men who carried out a terrorist attack which killed 37 Israelis as heroes, and other participants at the conference reportedly endorsed "armed struggle."

The Conference’s full statement is after the jump:[[READMORE]]

RHETORIC OF FATAH CONFERENCE UNACCEPTABLE
POSES REAL CHALLENGE TO PEACE  

New York, August 5, 2009… Leaders of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations sharply criticized the statements made by former Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Abu Alaa and other Fatah officials at yesterday’s Fatah Congress.
 
Chairman Alan Solow and Executive Vice Chairman Malcolm Hoenlein said, “Statements by Abu Allah praising suicide bombers who have killed dozens of people is wholly unacceptable and represents the true challenge to the chances for peace in the region. Statements by other Fatah officials urged the continuation of armed resistance and asserted that Fatah would not recognize the State of Israel. These declarations, made by the so-called ‘moderate’ Palestinian faction puts into sharp focus the question of the real beliefs of the party with whom Israel is to negotiate. Such rhetoric cannot be dismissed as it glorifies murderers and incites others to emulate their example. The U.S. has urged the Palestinians to address the issue of incitement, which is both an immediate and long-term obstacle to the prospect of meaningful negotiations. Too often such statements have been dismissed. But as history has shown, it is a serious impediment, not only undermining the confidence of Israelis, but exhorting this and future generations to violence and hate. The leadership of the Palestinian Authority must speak out against these actions to declare and take steps that all such incitement will be stopped.”
 
During the conference, former PA Prime Minister Abu Alaa welcomed Khaled Abu-Usbah to the conference and referred to him and Dalal Mughrabi as Palestinian heroes for carrying out the bus hijacking in 1978, which killed 37 Israeli civilians, including 12 children. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said that Palestinians reserved the right to pursue the “resistance” against Israel and other top Fatah members have stated they will not give up the armed struggle. The Fatah party platform that was to be presented for a vote yesterday explicitly stated that Israel must not be recognized as a Jewish state. In addition, large posters featuring Palestinian children brandishing rifles decorated the conference hall.