60 Palestinian intellectuals, Fatah officials call for calm

[Violet_Crumble]

Sixty prominent Palestinian officials and intellectuals have urged the public to refrain from retaliation for Israel's assassination of Hamas's spiritual leader, saying it would ignite a new round of bloodshed that would only hurt Palestinian aspirations for independence.

A half-page advertisement in the PLO's Al-Ayyam newspaper called on Palestinians to lay down their arms and turn to peaceful means of protest to end Israel's occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

The ad reflected growing sentiment among many Palestinian leaders and intellectuals that military struggle is not helping the Palestinian cause. Thousands of Palestinians have died during three and a half years of fighting with Israel.

Hamas's founder, Sheik Ahmed Yassin, was killed in an Israeli air strike on Monday, prompting an outpouring of outrage on Palestinian streets. Hamas has promised to strike back, saying even Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is a target.

The intellectuals who signed yesterday's ad - including legislator Hanan Ashrawi and Abbas Zaki, a leading member of Yasser Arafat's Fatah movement - said such revenge attacks would lead to a strong Israeli retaliation and further hurt the Palestinian cause.

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/03/25/1079939784785.html

[Rhiannon12866]

1. This is a good sign, though I don't know who will listen or for how long

it will last. Someone has to make the first move and it obviously isn't going to be those who started this latest round of violence. Someone just has to say "enough!" This could be a beginning. Those on both sides have responded with this cry often enough, but no one has been listening.

[JohnLocke]

2. I think Fatah is a little schizophrenic.

If they really wanted "calm" in the ME, maybe they would consider getting rid of their Al-Aqsa Martyr's Brigades." :eyes: