Reaction to President Obama’s speech in Cairo, 4 June 2009 : Raji Sourani, Director of the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR)
Par FIDH le lundi 8 juin 2009, 15:11 - Sur le terrain - Lien permanent
President Obama gave his speech in Cairo in the aftermath of the most brutal offensive in the history of Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory, an offensive which claimed the lives of 1,414 Palestinians and injured 5,303, the vast majority of whom were civilians. He gave his speech in the context of the nearly two year long siege of the Gaza Strip, the annexation of occupied East Jerusalem, and the strangulation and bantustanisation of the West Bank. He gave his speech as the President of America, one of the most powerful men in the World, and a key player in Middle Eastern politics. True, this was perhaps not the venue for detailed policy statements or concrete action. But it was the venue for real affirmation of policy, for words that were substantial and not merely eloquent, for real change, and an acknowledgement of the equality of humanity and the necessity that the individual and the rule of law be placed above the political. In 1957, in response to the British, French and Israeli invasion of the Suez, former American President Eisenhower simply said ‘enough’ and three major powers withdrew. This is the power of President Obama’s office. He is no longer a university professor addressing students; he is the President of America addressing the world. There must be content to his words, and this content must be translated into reality. Until a true shift in American foreign policy is realized, based not on political gestures, but on the principles of human rights and the rule of law – principles espoused by President Obama in his speech – nothing will change.
President Obama’s ‘concessions’ to the Palestinians, and his ‘condemnation’ of Israel have been widely lauded in the media. A closer look at the content of his speech, however, reveals some glaring realities; realities which speak more of a continuation of existing American foreign policy, and political pandering, than a respect for the rule of law and a true interest in the equality of humanity.
President Obama referred to the situation of the Palestinian people as “intolerable”, noting that America will not turn its back on “the legitimate Palestinian aspiration for dignity, opportunity, and a state of their own”. Notably absent was the root cause undermining these aspirations, the continued denial of the Palestinian’s legitimate right to self-determination. Absent too was a reference to Palestinian’s legitimate right to the equal protection of the rule of law. Without the realization of these two fundamental rights, justice, and a lasting peace, two things which all Palestinians truly aspire to, are unattainable. The rule of law and self-determination are the foundations which enable and ensure the realization of dignity and opportunity. They are the basic prerequisites. Without addressing these underlying issues, a shift in rhetoric does not translate to a shift in policy.
Significant in this regard is Obama’s claim that the US “does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements” and that “the continuing humanitarian crisis in Gaza doe not serve Israel’s security; neither does the continuing lack of opportunity in the West Bank.” What President Obama failed to address, was the reason why these settlements are illegitimate: they constitute violations of international law and war crimes. It is the ongoing illegal occupation of Palestinian territory that is the primary obstacle to Palestinian’s legitimate rights. Addressing the settlements may be a step in the right direction, but the settlements represent only one element of numerous violations of international law perpetrated by Israel in the OPT. It is the occupation itself that must be addressed. Political issue picking is insufficient, real pressure must be put on Israel, pressure which addresses the root causes, and does more than play a superficial political game.
Notable is President Obama’s reference to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as not serving Israel’s security. This statement represents a shocking disregard for the suffering of the Palestinian people and the rule of law. Israel’s siege on the Gaza Strip is straightforwardly illegal. It is a form of collective punishment, as prohibited in Article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, and it is a violation of the fundamental principles of human dignity. People are dying, people are being denied their basic rights, and their dignity is being disregarded. This illegality should not be addressed from the perspective of an Israeli concession. This framing, and the complete disregard for the rule of law – principles espoused elsewhere in President Obama’s speech – hint at an underlying reality. Until the content changes, eloquence counts for nothing but a TV network sound bite.
Finally, I wish to note President Obama’s professed commitment “to governments that reflect the will of the people.” This was perhaps a loaded reference to the elections in Lebanon, but as President Obama notes, the principles of democracy are human rights to be supported everywhere. What then of the international community’s reaction to the Palestinian elections of 2006. Will the US reverse its policy, will they support the creation of a Palestinian unity government?
The suffering in Gaza continues, in the aftermath of a shocking and brutal offensive, characterized by war crimes and violations of international law, the people of Gaza remain subject to an illegal siege. Reconstruction is impossible, no efforts have been made to address this situation. Today in the Gaza Strip there is not even the concrete with which to construct a tombstone. Money pledged at Sharm Al-Sheikh is just another show for the media without concrete action. We are talking about real issues, not intellectual debates. Civilians are suffering, the law is being straightforwardly and unambiguously violated. These are issues that must be tackled head on, or at the very least acknowledged.
President Obama’s speech was definitely a welcome overture towards increased diplomacy, and an effort to overcome the mistakes of his predecessor. His more welcoming, conciliatory approach, which stressed equality, and not dominance, which acknowledged past colonial endeavors, is perhaps the greatest achievement of his address. It is a success, and should be welcomed. It paves the way for increased cooperation, on the basis of true equality. These actions must be backed up, from all parties, with true efforts towards conciliation and harmony, on the basis of justice and fundamental human rights. There is an opportunity to place the individual above politics, to return to the true ideal of democracy, as a form of government dedicated to the people.
Commentaires
For a lot of us muslim, this speach did mean a lot.
I think it is important that Obama just won the Nobel Peace Prize. Perhaps now he will act with more justice in Middle East.
good post!