Boycott of Israel needs no high-level directives
Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 10/28/2000

Egyptian Presidential Political Advisor Osama el-Baz ruled out claims that the final communique of the recent emergency Arab summit was a mere warning rather than practical measures.

"The communique was just one of a number of measures meant to help the Palestinians continue their Intifada," said Baz.

"The summit resolutions did not confine to the moral and political support but extended to material support as manifested in the Saudi initiative to establish two funds to support the Palestinian victims and maintain the Arab and Islamic identity of Jerusalem," added Baz in statements to the Saudi Al-Sharq Al-Awsat daily.

Baz emphasized that the boycott of Israel should not come through high-level directives.

"No single Arab nation has the desire to buy a single Israeli product," said Baz, adding that no even one Arab dares to revive economic exchange with Israel.

On Israel's accusations that Egypt is not abiding by the peace agreement signed by the two sides, complaining that Cairo is hampering normalization, Baz wondered how could relations with Israel turn from war into full normalization, while the war with Palestinians and the Syrians is still raging and while Israel is still balking at opening the nuclear file.

"Besides," added Baz, "did Israel seek to thaw these relations?"

Baz said Arabs would form an international committee of world figures to investigate the crimes committed by Israel against the Palestinians in spite of all objections.

Facts will be presented to this committee including the one that 52 percent of the Palestinian casualties currently medicated are children less than 16 years old.

Baz denied allegations that the US exercised pressures on the summit resolutions, especially those that may have strongly affected Israel.

"Arabs will not be able to stand as spectators as the negotiations are frozen," said Baz.

He expected an Israeli backpedaling on its decision to halt talks within days because it is not in its interest.

"It was no more than bluffing," said Baz, referring to the Israeli time-out from the peace process.

"Israel has so far failed to impose its will on the Palestinians whose Intifada has achieved some progress," concluded Baz.

Previous Stories:
  No Middle East peace without Jerusalem   (10/26/2000)
  Egyptian girl tries to cross to Palestine to participate in uprising   (10/26/2000)
  No alternative to restoring East Jerusalem   (10/20/2000)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search