Palestinian spokesperson calls for end of violence and a free state

By Adrial Lanka Lobelo '02

Hanan Ashrawi, the leading female member of the Palestinian Legislative Council, discussed the tumultuous Israeli-Palestinian peace process April 11 at Cornell, while urging the creation of a free and independent Palestinian state.

Hanan Ashrawi, member of the Palestinian Legislative Council, lectures April 11 in Bailey Hall. Richard Killen/University Photography

Ashrawi's visit and talk, titled "Peace: Current Crisis and Future Prospects," was organized by the International Students Programming Board and the Arab Club and was held in Bailey Hall.

From 1991 to 1993, Ashrawi served as spokeswoman for the official Palestinian delegation at the Madrid peace negotiations. She is noted for making Palestinian issues comprehensible to those outside of the Middle East. She previously visited Cornell in 1995 as a Bartels fellow.

In her talk, Ashrawi eagerly lambasted some popular views commonly held of Palestinians. "We have to fight against the convenient labels and stereotypes," she said. "The Palestinians have become the only legitimate targets, of not just blurring the language, distortions and racism, but also [targets of] violence."

She said she faults the American media for characterizing parity between the Israelis and Palestinians, therefore perpetuating false perceptions about both groups. "It's as if there are two equal states...this is not the case."

Ashrawi was quick to inform her audience that the peace process was doomed from its infancy.

"A process is a mechanism, a means, a tool to get somewhere...the process became an end unto itself...it was being micromanaged by people who had their own agenda, and they made no bones about it."

Ashrawi described a debate, at one point during the peace negotiations, involving a deal that would allow, in essence, Palestinian rule over civil institutions while under Israel's eye.

"We are not in the business of working as the employees of the [Israeli] occupation. We are not in the business of becoming their collaborators. What we want is the end of the occupation...and then we can take care of our schools and hospitals ... [the Israelis] cannot say, 'You can have fractional responsibilities,' while [they] take away [our] land, build more settlements, control [our] crossing points, steal [our] water, demolish [our] homes, kill [our] children -- that's OK, provided [we] can handle [leading our civil institutions]."

Ashrawi further elaborated on what led to the break down of the peace process.

"The U.S. took sides, allowing the exploitation of [the Palestinians], using pressure in order to reinvent the peace process constantly, and putting pressure on the Palestinian leadership ... There was a total disregard of Palestinian public opinion. It's a racist way of assuming that the whole Arab world...can [be coerced] into signing anything, and they didn't understand that Palestinian and Arab public opinion is active and vibrant the only way you can have any agreement is if you pay attention to the people's voice."

With the peace process stalled and an alarming upsurge in violence in the region, Ashrawi called for decisive action by the international community.

"What is more necessary and practical than saving human lives?" she said. "This is certainly an international responsibility...I don't believe in neutrality. [The international community cannot] be neutral. Neutrality is not just an excuse for cowardice, but for paralysis."