Alwaght- The rushed US-mediated diplomatic initiative of Aqaba Summit that was held last week between the Israeli regime and Palestinian Authority in Jordan met its failure even before entering implementation. Actually, it was a meeting arranged by the Americans for tension de-escalation and prevention of further Palestinian operations. However, continuation of the clashes and tensions in the West Bank after the summit showed that it was nothing but ink on the paper and a stillborn initiative.
The port of Aqaba with a population of 200,000 people is Jordan’s only port with access to high seas, and last week it hosted a meeting of representatives of the Palestinian Authority, the Israeli regime, Egypt and the US to defuse the tensions in the West Bank, but it practically made no difference. As the meeting was underway, at least two Israeli settlers were killed in Huwara town near Nablus in the West Bank, followed by torching of dozens of Palestinian houses by radical Israelis. At least 100 Palestinians were injured and one was killed by the military-backed encroachment of the settlers.
Also, while according to an American promise to PA President Mahmoud Abbas Tel Aviv was to temporarily halt the settlement construction to help assuage the conflict, only a few hours later, Netanyahu and far-right cabinet members denied any halt to the settlement projects. The conflict and tension in the West Bank continue with more intensity, and the combination of these conditions indicates that the Aqaba meeting has failed.
‘Dual track of Chaos’
Dahlia Scheindlin, a fellow at Century International, based in Tel Aviv told The New Arab website that “they were trying to apply a tourniquet to stop the hemorrhage and stabilize things. But that didn’t go very well.” “The past week has witnessed a dual track of chaos”, she told The New Arab, referencing the also “extremely volatile” domestic situation in Israel. While tensions in the occupied West Bank were on fire, some of the largest anti-government protests in Israel’s history erupted, with hundreds of thousands demonstrating against the far-right government’s plans to radically reform the judiciary, something effectively sidelining the summit.
Moreover, Hamas and other armed resistance groups censure PA for negotiations with Tel Aviv that they argue only knows the language of force. On the other hand, the far-rights of the Israeli cabinet rejected any promise of stopping settlement under Aqaba meeting and highlighted pressing ahead with housing plans in usurped Palestinian lands of the West Bank.
Tahani Mustafa, a Palestine analyst at the International Crisis Group (ICG), said: “Any attempt to quiet things down has actually had the reverse effect and has actually fueled public anger to the point where radical elements are now having far more influence.”
Illegitimate PA
Another reason for failure of the summit should be sought in the PA lack of legitimacy among the Palestinian society. Abbas presidency for nearly 18 years has brought the worst results to the PA, turning the organization into an Israeli interests guard. The PA, along with the Israeli military forces, arrests and suppresses the Palestinian resistance forces, something de-legitimizing it in the Palestinian society.
“There is literally no one at this point in time to advocate for Palestinians as one single unanimous people, and that is why the Palestinian citizens lean to armed resistance,” Mustafa stated.
According to a December 2022 study by the Palestinian Centre for Policy and Survey Research (PSR), only 23 percent of residents in the West Bank and Gaza Strip are satisfied with the performance of Abbas, with 75 percent demanding his resignation. The PA is also under criticism for delay of scheduled election and showing an iron fist in dealing with the activists and protesters.
Over 70 percent of Palestinians in the occupied territories are in support of the formation of armed groups, such as the Lion’s Den, and don’t believe the PA has the right to arrest their members or mandate their surrender of arms, according to the study which adds that the Palestine elites are more busy with fighting for political posts than struggling to liberate Palestine.
The mediator is not impartial
It should be remembered that the American, Egyptian, and Jordanian interests are consonant with those of the Israelis. Whereas they claim they mediate to settle Palestinian dispute, they are a party to it.
A political journalist said that the initiative was “purely American” and did not care about the Palestinian interests. Actually, Aqaba summit consolidated the imbalance of power between the Palestinians and Israelis in the international mediations in the Palestinian case, proving that the mediating parties more pressure the Palestinians than the Israelis. Jordan would be responsible for ensuring quiet [in the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound]. Egypt would be tasked with ensuring that Hamas would not act militarily, and the PA would be tasked with ensuring the proliferation of armed groups is kept under control. Meanwhile, nobody is responsible for putting strains on Israel to ensure its commitment to promises.
Though Tel Aviv at the summit accepted ceasing its new settlements, shortly later, it took back its words, but nobody accused it of violating its commitments. Next summit is set to be held in Egypt, but nobody is really optimistic such political meetings can make a difference to the Palestinian cause. These meetings make no change on the ground and almost all of international actors know that a genuine change comes out of pressures on Israel. However, none of them want to press Tel Aviv and instead they step up pressures on the Palestinians. This gives every reason to Palestinians to choose fight not negotiations these days.
