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Joschka Fischer, the 2007 Bartels World Affairs Fellow, speaks at Cornell University.

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Hanan Ashrawi Calls for Peace in the Middle East

Posted on: 9/26/2007

On September 20, 2007 Palestinian legislator, human rights activist and scholar Dr. Hanan Ashrawi presented a talk entitled “Peace in the Middle East: Who Needs It?” President David Skorton described Dr. Ashrawi in his introduction as “one of the most articulate spoke persons on behalf of the Palestinian people.” The talk formed part of the Distinguished Speaker Series, sponsored by the Foreign Policy Initiative of the Mario Einaudi Center for International Studies, and was co-sponsored by the Vice-Provost for International Relations, the Department of Near Eastern Studies, and the Alice Cook House.

Dr. Ashrawi began her lecture by stressing the urgent need for action by the international community to solve the question of Palestinian statehood. The historical and continued oppression have conditioned an attitude of resignation, making it difficult for the Palestinian people to engage in efforts of peace. However, Ashrawi stated that “peace is not only desirable, it is also possible.” Her reason for such optimism lied in the reality that there is finally a global consensus that a two-state solution is desirable, as well as general accord on what issues a potential peace agreement should include. She further explained that, for the first time, the majority of Israeli and Palestinian population advocates a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

Ashrawi was nonetheless critical of Israel and its occupation. She accused Israel of human rights violations, based on the standards outlined in the Geneva Convention. She described the “horrific, ugly wall” built by Israel as a way to segment and further fracture the Palestinian populace. She stated that for decades Israel has ignored the responsibilities inherent with being an occupying power.

She was just as critical towards the political structure currently operating within Palestine. She described a “constitutional crisis” accentuated by a general dysfunction between the three branches of government. She continued by stating the recent election of Hamas into power was not an affirmation of its political agenda, but rather a rejection of past government corruption. She stated that she personally disagreed with Hamas’ social agenda, and reaffirmed that it was her vision to see a tolerant and pluralist system. She said that any potential solution must reconcile this dysfunction.

She was also critical of the punitive economic sanctions placed on Palestine as a reaction to the election of Hamas by the United States. Ashrawi stated that it sent a message to the Palestinians that “democracy is fine as long as you can guarantee the results.” It undermined the standing and image of the United States and Europe, and lead to an extreme polarization within the Palestinian community.

Dr. Ashrawi also discussed Palestinian independence in the context of U.S. foreign policy. She said that solving the Palestinian question is fundamental to the efforts of spreading democracy in the Middle East. She cited Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden as those who have the Palestinian struggle to their own advantage in their fight against the United States and other Western institutions. She called upon the Bush administration to “replace the troop surge in Iraq for a peace surge in Palestine.” She believed that “this might serve the region and the globe much better.”

She concluded her remarks by returning to the question outlined in the title of her presentation. “Who needs peace in the Middle East? We all need peace in the Middle East.” It is at once a struggle that will ultimately define international legitimacy, but it is also a war against the chaos and instability that has been perpetuated throughout the history of Palestine. She ended her speech on a positive note, stating that while the processes for peace may have historically been flawed, “the objective remains noble.”

Contact Information
Heike Michelsen
Einaudi Center
255 8926
hm75@cornell.edu

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