Coming to Terms With Reality: Gaza’s Intellectuals Contemplate the Future

By Mohammed Omer


	Al Quds journalist Imad Al Ifranji (l) and writer Dr. Fatima Qassem (Staff photos M. Omer).

IN THE WEEKS following the attempted coup by Israeli- and U.S.-trained Fatah militia seeking to overthrow the democratically elected Hamas government, a new reality has emerged: Palestinians now essentially live in two separate nations. To the west, Gaza—surrounded on land by Israeli walls, its coast patrolled by Israeli military gunships, its people living under constant surveillance and military attack, sealed off from the world by an occupier that flouts international law. To the east, a Swiss cheese “nation,” segmented into Bantustans, its citizens prevented from living anything approaching a normal life by a system of apartheid-inspired roads, more than 500 military checkpoints, ever-expanding armed colonies, and Jim Crow law enforced at the point of a soldier’s or settler’s gun.

When the dust from the coup settled, the Hamas government, led by elected Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, succeeded in retaining control of Gaza. In Ramallah, President Mahmoud Abbas and his appointed Prime Minister Salam Fayyad declared the Hamas government illegitimate and, with Israeli and U.S. backing, assumed full control of the West Bank.

Given this new reality, this reporter sought out Gaza’s intellectuals to hear their opinions on present-day Palestine as well as its future. Imad Al Ifranji, a journalist with the daily Al Quds, weighed in first. “The situation in Gaza is tragic,” he lamented. “Should Gaza and the West Bank reunite, [the government] will still depend on foreign aid. Now imagine if Gaza must continue on its own.

“All indications point toward a major Israeli incursion into Gaza Strip,” he added, “and an escalation from the Ramallah-based government. Right now, Gaza seems quiet,” but, he cautioned, “[this] image does not represent reality.”

Asked if he sees the situation improving, Al Ifranji replied: “In Gaza, more chaos can be expected. When we hear Al Malaiki, Ramallah’s minister of information, describe Hamas’ government as ‘Zarqawi’s government,’ in essence he is stating that 1.5 million Palestinians are no longer Palestinian. Abbas has accused Hamas of allowing al-Qaeda into Gaza. This provides Israel with an excuse to attack Gaza on the world’s behalf.”

Regarding Russia’s possible role as a moderator between Hamas and Fatah, Al Ifranji noted that “Russia is eager to regain its role as mediator. It has good relationships with both Hamas and Fatah.”

“Sadly,” he concluded, “The siege of Gaza will continue, under the guise of the Ramallah-based government. However, friends, journalists and politicians in Ramallah have told me that Abbas is not leading the government. It is the American consulate—leading from behind the scenes.”

Added writer and intellectual Dr. Fatima Qassem: “Hamas never considered or expected this situation, or what led us into it. I find little to be optimistic about; yet a flash of hope could emerge if both [Hamas and Fatah] were given the chance for dialogue.”

Bush the Peacemaker?


Prof. Akram Habeeb (Staff photos M. Omer).

U.S. President George W. Bush has called for a peace conference to solve the Palestinian issue. The majority of Palestinians see this as yet another false ploy designed to deflect Israeli accountability and minimize Palestinian grievances.

Professor of American literature and critical theory Akram Habeeb offered his assessment of Bush’s latest initiative: “I’m optimistic. We shall survive,” he emphasized proudly. “We struggle for peace. We are not terrorists; we only want our rights.” Pausing, he added, “Both Palestinians and Israelis are suffering—and this is Bush’s final opportunity. We are waiting for peace, including the rights of Palestinians.”

Prior to 1967 Gaza boasted a thriving agricultural and light industrial economy. Its beaches remain some of the most beautiful on the Mediterranean. Professor Habeeb has dreams for the future: “Gaza can be beautiful when there is peace and the siege is lifted,” he enthused, looking to the day when Gaza is renowned for “exporting peace, love and brotherhood to the world.”

Abdullah Issa, editor-in-chief of Al Watan Voice, Palestine’s most popular onlinenewspaper, agreed that “There is hope for success at Bush’s conference. It’s time for Americans to begin putting serious pressure on Israel,” he stated, “to force concessions and stop giving away the rights of Palestinians. Israel is offering a country under terminal siege and surrounded by walls. But this is not a true country. It could be with an initiative from Bush.”

“There is hope,” Issa reiterated. “Abbas’ position is becoming easier. Russia and Hamas appear to be easing [their positions on negotiating with Fatah] as well. Both sides know that the alternative to negotiations is crisis.”

Contradictions


	Poet Donia Al Amal Ismail (Staff photos M. Omer).

Poet and mother of four Donia Al Amal Ismail was cautious in her assessment of Gaza. “I can’t see a future or even a present for Gaza—each vision constitutes contradiction,” she said, acknowledging that “This is something difficult for us to understand.

“We can’t guarantee our safety on a daily basis, or even what we want to achieve every day,” she explained in sorrow and frustration. “We intellectuals have had a negative role [in policy decisions], and we were not active enough. Yet we participated in creating this ambiguous vision. I expect Gaza’s future to be more than it is now. We have not seen the worst yet, despite Gaza’s current peaceful and quiet veneer—a status of safety, you may call it.

“Soon,” she predicted, however, “Gaza will explode.”

Without a Palestinian passport, identification card or official nationality, Ismail is one of 45,000 Gazans trapped and unable to leave, even if they had the financial means to do so and Israel reopened the borders. “I can’t even escape from Gaza!” she exclaimed.

“This political crisis resulted from a discontinuity in our culture. We do not understand ourselves. All life is threatened here,” she concluded.

The Future of Gaza

As the situation deteriorates, making the simple act of living intolerable, many—especially the young, and those with means, highly valued skills and advanced degrees—seek asylum elsewhere. The decision to leave home weighs heavily, however, leaving many conflicted. Speaking for herself, Dr. Qassem said, “I don’t think or imagine myself leaving Palestine. Rather,” she explained, “I dream of Palestine in the morning and the evening.”

Given Gaza’s dire and seemingly hopeless situation, how do families and individuals manage to survive?

Philosophically, Dr. Qassem replied, “We’ve stockpiled enough supplies [food and living necessities] to keep us alive. But,” she admitted, “I’m afraid that in a place as crowded as Gaza, these will soon be depleted.

“The only hope,” she concluded, “is to break the political stalemate between Hamas and Fatah.”

After all, she pointed out, “the first to benefit from this is Israel.”

Ibtisam Mustapha, director of a cultural institution, agreed: “Gaza’s future is vague, unknown, and a solution appears to exist in the distant future. Hamas has its agenda,” she explained, “and Abbas has his American agenda. Finding common ground between both the Hamas and U.S. agendas, this is the challenge.”

Imagining what he would say if he had one minute alone with President Bush, Al Ifranji spoke forcefully: “[I hope] you will speak about the rights of Palestinians to their land when you leave office.”

Indeed, he added, “That’s what I’d wish to tell all American leaders.”

Mohammed Omer, winner of New America Media’s Best Youth Voice award, reports from the Gaza Strip, where he maintains the Web site <www.rafahtoday.org>. He can be reached at <gazanews@yahoo.com>.