Proffesor Sari Nusseiba, President of al-Quds University, near Jerusalem, is one of the most prominent liberal intellectuals in the Occupied Palestinian territories. A political moderate, Nusseiba whose family history in Palestine goes back more than 1300 years ago, repeatedly spoke up in favor of peaceful Jewish-Arab existence in occupied Palestine. However, in recent years and largely thanks to the rampant proliferation of Jewish settlement expansion, it seems that Nusseiba, like many other Palestinians, has lost the hope for a peaceful resolution of the enduring conflict with Israel based on the two-state solution strategy.The following is a recent interview with Nusseiba conducted by Khalid Amayreh:
1. You think the creation of a viable Palestinian state is virtually impossible? What is the alternative? Also, don't you think that Palestinians, or more correctly their leadership, could be cajoled or even coerced to accept a state that is neither viable nor territorially contiguous?
Prof. Nusseiba: Yes. Theoretically, it may still be possible to have a viable and territorially contiguous state. However, practically and politically, it seems it is it is too late for the-two state solution unless the international community exerts tremendous pressure on Israel to withdraw from the West Bank and East Jerusalem and undo the settler scheme. As to the Palestinian leadership, I don't think they will compromise Palestinian rights including the right of return for Palestinian refugees, which I think represents the essence of the Palestinian problem.
2. Why do you think Palestinians are obsessed so much with the issue of statehood? Can't they realize their rights and interests without statehood, e.g. coalescing into federation with either Jordan?
Nusseiba: Our problem is this overwhelming Israeli occupation which is making our life a an unending nightmare. When the occupation ends, and we attain our freedom, we can decide what to do in terms of partnership with neighboring countries, especially Jordan. But ending the occupation is always a sin-qua-non for any prospective move toward possible integration or confederation with Jordan.
3. The idea of the one-state solution is likely to gain wider acceptance if the current peace talks doesn't succeed, do you think this concept is realistic or just another fantasy illusion given Israel's vehement rejection of it?
Nusseiba: We are already more or less living under a unitary state structure. But I don't think Israel can maintain this apartheid structure indefinitely. All we are demanding is to be able to live as decent human beings. And really I don't care too much if it is a one-state or two-state structure. The important thing is not the title but the substance.
4. The Israeli society is drifting menacingly toward Jewish fascism especially religious racism, in your view, is Israel moving toward a situation similar to that faced by Germany in the late 1920s and early 1930s?
Nueseiba: I don't if Israel is walking in the same path that Germany pursued prior to the Second World War. But as Palestinians we must do all we can and all we should in order to consolidate our survival in our homeland. We must calculate our steps carefully and cautiously lest we make blunders that might seriously undermine our ability to survive as a people.
5. In light of the virtually genocidal onslaught against Gaza last year, do you think that Israel would be capable of embarking on the unthinkable against the Palestinians, namely carrying out a genocide of some sort?
Nusseiba: I wouldn't completely rule out this possibility. Indeed, Israel is already waging a protracted war of terror and killing against our people. But I think we must always not allow ourselves to be provoked by Israel as this works against our national interests. In philosophy there is a principle called "quietism" which I believe we should adopt in order to neutralize the Israeli propensity to launch wars and wage aggression.
6. Israeli leaders insist that the Palestinians would have to recognize Israel as a Jewish state, which implies that the sizeable Palestinian community in Israel might be expelled to any future Palestinian state? Indeed, even the relatively moderate Opposition Leader Tzipi Livni was quoted a few years ago as saying that Israel's Palestinians would have to seek national fulfillment in any prospective Palestinian state? How would you relate to this t?
Nusseiba: I understand their fears. However, Israel will have to make a choice. Does it want to keep up this apartheid regime, which could eventually lead to the disintegration of Zionism, or remain democratic, even according to their concept of democracy? In the final analysis, a non-democratic Israel is also a road leading to the death of Zionism.
7. Israelis don't stop invoking the mantra of Israel being both Jewish and democratic? Do you think Israel can be both Talmudic and Democratic? how would you read the Israeli mindset in this regard? And would you say that if this trend of thinking continues, Palestinians would face a precarious future?
Nusseiba: The Israelis could go on and on in indulging in their whims. But they can't escape the existential fact of the existence of millions of Palestinians living in this land. They must accept that we are humanely equal and that we are entitled to freedom and equality just like anyone lese.
8. Do you think apartheid, or an extended occupation by Israel, is a tenable option for Israel?
Nusseiba: Of course, Not. They have been adopting apartheid for decades, so, has the problem disappeared? Have the Palestinians disappeared? In fact, the opposite is true, the Palestinians are now determined more than ever to wrest our usurped rights from Israeli hands.
Nusseiba: I am not against the principle of Jews living in Palestine. However, Jews, too, should declare rather unequivocally that the Palestinians, too, have an absolute and inalienable right to live in peace and equality.
10.How would you foresee the situation in this part of the world 50 years from now?
Nusseiba: Jews and Palestinians have much in common. They also have much to offer the world. I foresee a vigorous community of Jews and Arabs living in this land in peace, equality and harmony.
11. Despotism and political tyranny still prevail all over the Arab world, do you see any prospect that the Arab world will emancipate itself from this enduring nightmarish reality?
Nusseiba: I am concerned first and foremost about the situation in Palestine. But I wish the Arab world good luck.
12. How would you see the geopolitical face of the world half a century from now? Do you think, for example, the US will become a second-class power? How about china? Europe?
Nusseiba: I think the world is moving toward more harmony and integration.
As to the balance of power in the world, I think the US will continue to be the dominant power in the coming two decades. Afterward, things could change.
13. How would you see the future of Islamism?
Nusseiba: I don't see any problem with Islam itself. I think it can accommodate modernity and meet challenges. As to Islamist groups I think they would have to meet certain challenges. In my opinions, they need to give more attention to universal and humanistic dimensions.
14. Do you think the rift between Fatah and Hamas is bridgeable under the current circumstances?
Nusseiba: The rift between the "people" of Fatah and Hamas is certainly bridgeable. The problem lies elsewhere.
15. There is a widespread impression in occupied Palestine that the quality of general education, including school and college education, is being constantly compromised and eroded? Do you share this view? What can be done to remedy the situation?
Nusseiba: I agree with you. And the answer is "Investment."
16. Do you have any advice for the present generation of youth, which some would call the dot.com generation?
Nusseiba: seek knowledge and more knowledge, and prepare yourself to deal with challenges.(end)
Sources:The above article was written by Khalid Amayreh
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