Note: The translations of articles from the Hebrew press
are prepared by the Government Press Office
as a service to foreign journalists in Israel.
They express the views of the authors.
The Lightning (Barak) and the Rage
(Analysis by Roni Shaked, "Yediot Ahronot," June 3, 1999, p. 5)
More than anything, The Palestinian "Day of Rage" expresses the
frustration of the Palestinian leadership at the fact that despite the
electoral victory of Barak and the left, the Palestinian problem has, for
the moment, been sidelined.
The "Day of Rage" is meant to return the Palestinian issue to the agenda
and signal to the Prime Minister-elect that "We are here, and if you
forget us, we will remind you by means of violence." The Palestinian
street is happier about the defeat of Netanyahu than about the victory of
Barak. The suspicion is that Barak will not introduce changes into Israeli
policy, and his attitude toward the final status agreement and the
settlements will not be different from that of Netanyahu: the same
creature, in different garb.
The "Day of Rage" is meant to return the Palestinians to the international
agenda, and also to that of Israel. But more than anything, the day is an
expression of the fear of the Palestinians at the intention of Barak to
give priority to the Syrian negotiating track at the expense of the
Palestinian track: to signal to Barak that if there is not a speedy
implementation of the Wye Agreement and the talks on the final status
agreement do not begin -- the Palestinians will not sit with their arms
folded.
The "Day of Rage" also expresses the anger and embarrassment of the
Palestinians at Barak's coalition negotiations with the parties of the
right. They are particularly afraid of the possibility that Ariel Sharon
will stay at the Foreign Ministry. What will happen today? The Palestinian
leadership will try to translate the "Day of Rage", whether or not there
is violence today, into points with Israeli and international public
opinion. But it is doubtful whether the Palestinians will achieve their
objective: the world is busy with Kosovo, and Israel is busy assembling
the coalition and with southern Lebanon.
So the Palestinians have hurried to announce that the "Day of Rage" is
only the first part of a campaign of protest and confrontation, and if
today they do not succeed in awakening their own people and broader public
opinion -- they will try again tomorrow.