Gary Fitleberg, December 30, 2004

Arafat’s heir apparent to the PA/PLO "Chairman of Terror" position continues the campaign of terror even in the campaign of a "democratic election" which is a cover for the continuation of a bloody campaign of hatred, incitement, terrorism and violence against Israel and the Jewish people.

Taking his campaign to the site of the separation barrier and security fence against terrorism, PLO chief Mahmoud Abbas, aka Abu Mazen, stated there would be no peace until Israel tore it down.

"No (Middle East) peace can transpire with (Jewish) settlements and the wall," Abbas said with his back to the separation fence around Qalqilyah near the West Bank's boundary with Israel.

"We tell our neighbors: 'No matter how many settlements, walls or obstacles you build, it will not bring you security or peace," Abbas said.

The hearty welcome given Abbas at his first campaign rally in Jericho on Tuesday carried over on Wednesday to Qalqilyah and Tul Karm. Crowds repeatedly interrupted his speeches with cheers and people of all ages ran excitedly after his convoy.

Heavy security was draped around Abbas because of feared threats from militants opposed to peacemaking. However, local members of the al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, an armed group in the mainstream Fatah faction that nominated Abbas for president, greeted Abbas and said they would vote for him.

Abu Salem, commander of the Brigades in Tulkarm, said gunmen would be receptive to Abbas's call for an end to armed violence, which has abated in most areas since Arafat died in November.

Abbas repeated his campaign theme that he would follow in Arafat's footsteps by vowing to seek a state in all of the ancient biblical and modern disputed territories of Gaza, Judea & Samaria, with East Jerusalem (belonging to Israel and the Jewish people given as a gift from G-d in the Bible) as its capital and the "right of return" of refugees to what is now Israel.

"No (Middle East) peace can transpire with (Jewish) settlements and the wall," Abbas said with his back to the separation fence around Qalqilyah near the so-called "West Bank's" boundary with Israel.

"We tell our neighbors: 'No matter how many settlements, walls or obstacles you build, it will not bring you security or peace," Abbas said.

The hearty welcome given Abbas at his first campaign rally in Jericho on Tuesday carried over on Wednesday to Qalqilyah and Tul Karm. Crowds repeatedly interrupted his speeches with cheers and people of all ages ran excitedly after his convoy.

Heavy security was draped around Abbas because of feared threats from opposing terrorists opposed to peacemaking. However, local members of the al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, an armed group in the mainstream Fatah faction that nominated Abbas for president, greeted Abbas and said they would vote for him.

Abu Salem, commander of the Brigades in Tulkarm, said the murderers would be receptive to Abbas's call for an end to armed violence, which has abated in most areas since Arafat died in November.

Abbas repeated his campaign theme that he would follow in Arafat's footsteps by vowing to seek a state in all of the West Bank and Gaza Strip with East Jerusalem as its capital and the "right of return" of refugees to what is now Israel.

Approximately one million Arab Jews were absorbed by Israel when they were ecpelled forcibly by Arab nations bent on the intent of their annhilation.

G-d gave the Children of Israel a gift and homeland of the "Holy Land" and "Promised Land" as an eternal covenant with a "right of return" forever and ever with Jerusalem, or Yerushalayim (City of Peace) as capital.

Gary Fitleberg is a Political Analyst specializing in International Relations with emphasis on Middle East affairs.

Copyright © 2004 Gary Fitleberg