by MEMRI
-- the issue is "not up for discussion at all." "It is Israel that should be placed on trial, not the Palestinians," he said.
Speaking on the official Palestinian Authority TV channel on May 7,
Husein Al-Sheikh, a member of Fatah’s Central Committee, said that PA
Chairman Mahmoud Abbas was categorically against the American demand to
halt the salaries paid by the PLO to the [Palestinian] prisoners and
families of "martyrs" and that the issue was "not up for discussion at
all." "It is Israel that should be placed on trial, not the
Palestinians," he said.
Husein Al-Sheikh: "As you know, before the visit of Mahmoud Abbas to the U.S., there was a surging wave..."
Interviewer: "A campaign..."
Husein Al-Sheikh: "Yes,
the Israelis conducted a powerful campaign, especially with regard to
the issue of the martyrs and the prisoners, and [against] the salaries
paid by the PLO to the prisoners and the families of the martyrs.
"I'm sad to
say that (Israel) has managed to garner some American support for the
Israeli position on this matter. Then they began to exert tremendous
pressure on us regarding this issue.
"As far as
I'm concerned, this matter is behind us. All the officials, from all
levels, who talked to us and to Mahmoud Abbas on this... This is no
secret... All the American and other parties talked to Mahmoud Abbas
about this, and his response was decisive. We said that this issue was
not up for discussion at all, and that this has been our duty toward the
prisoners and the martyrs since 1965. It is one of the resolutions of
the Palestinian National Council. When the causes for this cease to
exist, perhaps the issue will be discussed, but the causes still exist,
and first and foremost among them is the occupation. When the occupation
comes to an end and a Palestinian state is established, the PLO and the
Palestinian Authority may perhaps consider these issues anew. But as
long as there is an occupation... Well, Israel also spends money on its
soldiers, who die in wars, and spends money on their families. So why
isn't Israel placed on trial? The occupation is the worst form of
terrorism."
Interviewer: "Right."
Husein Al-Sheikh: "It
is the worst form of terrorism that can be conducted against a people.
So it is Israel that should be placed on trial, not the Palestinians. On
the basis of this issue... For our part, we have dealt with this in all
responsibility, As I said, the chairman's response was categorically
opposed, and this is not up for discussion with any party whatsoever."
[…]
MEMRI
Source: https://www.memri.org/tv/fatah-central-committee-member-payment-families-martyrs-prisoners
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