Can the Declaration of Principles Bring About a `Just and Lasting Peace'?

IV. Conclusion

The coming together of the two sides in one of the modern world's most complicated and violent conflicts was hailed as a major achievement. It has given many people hope that this process could ultimately bring about the peaceful resolution of this conflict. The general focus has shifted to providing assistance for the economic development and reconstruction of the ravished Palestinian community. However, little attention was given to the inequitable terms under which the Palestinian community has been forced to live.

This omission might put at risk the viability of the whole process. In a not so distant past, Europe has known examples of negotiated settlements that were tantamount to surrender, as the weaker side had little choice but to accept terms dictated to them. This gave rise to unprecedented violence, and ultimately to fascism. In signing the DOP both Israel and the PLO were motivated by a common fear, generated by the rise of extremism and fundamentalism in the region. But it must not be forgotten that fundamentalism develops in nations that feel the depth of historical injustice done to them only because of their weakness. In such a situation purism and narrow determinism appear the only way to win back usurped rights. To avoid this and ensure that the agreed political process envisioned in the DOP is viable, a way must be found to remove the legal distortions and inequities committed by Israel during its occupation of Palestinian territory.

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