“Indonesians Don't Need to Come to Fight”
VIVAnews - Palestine will continue to fight Israel’s attacks on the Gaza Strip, said Abdullah Abdullah, head of the Political Committee of Palestine Legislative Council (PLC) in Ramallah, West Bank, Palestine. The former Deputy Foreign Minister of Palestinian Authority who was born in Jerusalem, April 1, 1939, briefly expressed the difficulties faced by his people.
“This is not a Hamas crisis, not a Fatah crisis, but this is a Palestinian people crisis,” said Abdullah, who is a member of the Palestinian parliament from the Fatah faction when interviewed by VIVAnews over the telephone on Monday, Jan. 5.
Abdullah also gave some pointers for the Indonesian government as to how it could overcome obstacles in distributing humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people, as well as to those who wish to join the fight in the Gaza Strip. The following is an excerpt of the interview with Abdullah Abdullah:
Even though Ramallah, West Bank, is not hit by military attacks, how are the residents of Ramallah responding to Israel’s attacks on the Gaza Strip?
The situation here is full anger over the suffering of our brothers in Gaza. We also feel their pain. They are being bombed on a daily basis. They have no clean water, electricity and supplies due to the attacks and blockades by Israel. We are putting forth all efforts to help them. But we are also going through diplomatic channels, whereby today we received a delegate from Russia and we are getting ready to welcome the French President, Nicolas Sarkozy to hear their ideas to end the suffering of our brothers.
Is there any access to the Gaza Strip?
Ever since the Israeli soldiers attacked Gaza by land late last week (Saturday), it has been very difficult to go there because of the tank blockades and risks of being shot at. Not even one truck can go there. The same goes with Rafah crossing [from Egypt], which is still closed. However, with the very limited phone contacts, our brothers in Gaza said that all hospitals are currently experiencing shortage of basic medicines. Food is also difficult to obtain. How are we supposed to take care of around 520 dead brothers and treat thousands of our injured brothers? The last information we got is that Israel will allow 80 humanitarian aid trucks to enter Gaza. But we don’t know yet whether this amount would be enough.
What can be done to help the people in Gaza, given the uncertainty of Israel lifting the blockade?
As I said before, we will put forth all efforts to handle this suffering. Starting from negotiations to physical fights, using rocks found on the streets. Indeed, Palestine does not have high tech weapons. But the our fighting spirit will not go down and we will not deter in fighting against high tech weapons, as we had shown in 1968, 1982, and during the Lebanon invasion. Peace will not happen if there is no will from Israel to make peace without conditions as well as acknowledging the State of Palestine.
What is the cooperation like between Fatah and Hamas in facing Israel’s attack?
I emphasize that is crisis is not a Hamas crisis and Fatah crisis. This is a crisis of the people of Palestine. We as the people and nation of Palestine are suffering together. It’s not easy to be in direct contact with our brothers from Hamas in Gaza because the communication is cut off.
Humanitarian Aid from Indonesia has arrived in Amman, Jordan, but they are having problems reaching Gaza. Do you have any suggestions as to how the aid can be properly distributed?
I suggest to our brothers in Indonesia to contact our Embassy in Amman. By mentioning my name, our staff there would be more than ready to help distribute the help. The route they have chosen [through Amman] is correct, because that’s the most effective way at this time. It just so happens that Jordan shares a border with the West Bank such that help can be distributed through us here [Ramallah, West Bank]. Actually there is another route to Gaza, which is through Egypt, but with Rafah crossing, that connects Egypt to Gaza, being shut down, it would be difficult to send help.
In Indonesia, Palestinian solidarity is becoming stronger. In fact, some Indonesians wish to fight at the Gaza Strip against Israel. What is your comment?
My advice is, no. There is no need to come to Gaza to fight. It’s already enough that we risk our lives to fulfill our goal. You can help with prayers and other types of help. But I am very grateful for the great attention and support by the brothers in Indonesia.
Translated by: Ramona Sofianne Dewi Sasradipoera
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