Anger, regret, scepticism at Palestine Papers (News Feature)

By Ofira Koopmans Jan 27, 2011, 16:28 GMT

Ramallah/Gaza/Tel Aviv - Anger over their leaders giving up on highly sensitive issues such as Jerusalem and refugees; regret at a missed opportunity to reach a peace deal after coming so close; scepticism over the accuracy of the leaked negotiations:

Palestinians and Israelis from Gaza and Ramallah to Tel Aviv had mixed reactions to the classified documents released by al-Jazeera detailing alleged Palestinian Authority actions through years of peace talks.

In the central West Bank city, some expressed anger with the Palestinian Authority. Others questioned the timing and motives of the Qatari satellite channel.

In Gaza, Palestinians seemed less concerned about the reported concessions on territory, or even Jerusalem.

What matters to many of the 1.5 million Palestinians in the coastal enclave - almost two-third of whom are refugees - is the revelation - assuming the leaked minutes of meetings are authentic - that the Palestinian Authority gave up what Palestinians call 'the right of return.'

According to the leaks, Palestinian negotiators accepted Israel's demand it absorb only a 'symbolic' number of refugees, while most would go to the Palestinian state, because allowing the return of millions would mean 'the end of Israel.'

Disbelief was also registered at a transcript purporting to show the sides discussing the planned assassination of a Gaza militant, and Abbas receiving advance notice of Israel's Gaza offensive.

Hamas, the Islamist movement ruling Gaza, has taken full advantage of the al-Jazeera reports, accusing the Palestinian Authority, its arch-rival, of 'treason' and organizing anti-PA protests throughout the strip. It plans to mobilize thousands of its supporters for another rally in Gaza City after Friday's Muslim prayers.

Fida Jiryis, 37, a freelance writer in Ramallah, wonders what the Palestinian negotiators got in return for agreeing that Israel could annex all but one of its Jewish settlements in East Jerusalem, and for giving up 'the right of return' of Palestinian refugees.

But she added 'al-Jazeera has sensationalized the whole issue. They did not tell us anything new.'

'The PA seemed ready to give up all of Jerusalem. That would have been a disaster if it happened,' agreed Jamil al-Allemi, a 45-year- old taxi driver from Ramallah.

'I feel the PA has some explaining to do.'

But Radi Khalil defended the PA.

'There was no agreement, so where is the problem? The Palestinians said things in the negotiations and Israel said things too and the two sides did not agree. This is what negotiations are all about,' said the 29-year-old employee of a Ramallah company.

'When they agree, then we will judge the outcome.'

In Gaza, a furious 22-year-old student at the Strip's Islamic University held the opposite opinion.

'I believe that what al-Jazeera published so far is clear evidence of the PA's treason,' said Sameer Seyam, backing the Hamas line.

'I call on the residents of the West Bank to rise up against Abbas and his team,' he said.

But a Gaza City taxi driver who described himself as a supporter of Abbas and his secular Fatah party, also defended the president, slamming al-Jazeera instead.

Al-Jazeera, out to get them, 'is placing Abbas and Fatah on a golden plate to be eaten by Hamas,' said Abu Khaled, who declined to give his full name.

There was also the usual indifference stemming from deep and widespread disillusionment.

'I don't care about Fatah or Hamas. Both are using the Palestinian cause to serve their own interests,' said Hassan Abu Tahoon, a 35- year-old storekeeper in Gaza.

'I prefer to watch an action movie instead of watching nonsense on al-Jazeera.'

In Tel Aviv too, where many prefer to get on with their lives, oblivious of the lingering conflict with the Palestinians, 'everything is crap,' is a much-heard reaction.

But Danny, a 49-year-old deputy chief executive officer of an international infrastructure company, laments that the agreement that could have emerged - had the negotiations not been cut short by early elections in Israel - could have been a good one.

'It's a shame it was made public,' he said of the exposure of the sensitive closed-door talks. 'It can ruin future negotiations and extremists on both sides will use it to torpedo them.'

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