A leading West Bank Palestinian declared here that the only way to peace in the Middle East “is by direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.” Mustafa Dodin of Hebron, head of the Arab Village Leagues on the West Bank, addressing the 88th annual convention of the Jewish War Veterans, stated:
“We are Palestinians living under occupation; we call for a termination of that occupation, but the only means to achieve that end is through direct negotiations.” Dodin, who claimed that the Village Leagues represent 70 percent of the West Bank’s Palestinian population and are “the only ones leading the masses,” said “We accept the Reagan initiative as the beginning of efforts to find a just and durable peace.”
Dodin asked the JWV delegates to join with his organization in “condemning terror from any group for any reason.” He noted that members of the Village Leagues had been constantly harassed by the PLO and the Jordanian government because of their call for peaceful coexistence with Israel and because they were an indigenous, local movement.
With Dodin at the JWV convention was Riad Khateev, now head of the Ramallah Village League, whose father, the former Ramalla chief, and 23-year-old brother were assassinated. Dodin stated the PLO claimed responsibility for that murder.
CRITICIZES STATE DEPARTMENT
Dodin criticized the U.S. Department of State for attempting to have King Hussein come to the peace table with PLO chief Yasir Arafat’s approval. Having been a political advisor to Hussein for five years, Dodin observed “You will wait 100 years before King Hussein will come forward with Arafat,” for Arafat would get all the credit and Hussein would lose his kingdom.
Dodin also charged that the U.S. State Department has met with terrorists of the Middle East, but has refused to meet with his group. He believes, however, that the United States is the “only third country which can contribute to peace.”
OPPOSES A DIVIDED JERUSALEM
Urging that the time is ripe for fruitful negotiations, he envisioned an ultimate solution to involve a return to pre-1967 borders. Since the Egyptians do not want Gaza, he said, Gaza should be part of a West Bank/ East Bank state. Dodin further stated, “Jerusalem should not be divided again; Arabs and Jews should contribute to an administrative council for the city.”
When asked by JWV delegates if he rejected the idea of a West Bank confederation with Israel and Jordan, Dodin said he did not reject this idea and at one time had discussed positively with Hussein the idea of “cantons.”
Declaring “we don’t want an army,” Dodin also observed that demilitarization of the West Bank would be a good idea. He urged JWV delegates, “I beg you to support our mutual struggle for peaceful coexistence. We believe in the brotherhood of man, of Arab and of Jews. God meant for us to live in peace.”
Stanley Zwaik, national commander of the JWV, said his organization did not agree with all of Dodin’s statements, but expressed the JWV’s gratitude that the Village League leader had made the long journey from Hebron to bring his message of peace to Americans.
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