On Syrian-Palestinian disputes

Bassani Abu Sharif, (a remarkable Palestinian figure) has reviewed disputes between Syria and the PLO since the 1970s. He added that the main reason for the disputes was that the two sides did not agree then to identify a united strategy in confrontation of the Israeli occupation, adding that these disputes increased following the Camp David agreement and during the emergence of the steadfast and confrontation states axis.

In an article he wrote in the Jordanian paper al-Aswaq issued in Amman on Tuesday, Abu Sharif added that the Syrian viewpoint has been since the 1970s concentrating on creating a strategic balance that will be conducive to creating conditions that will force the Israelis to withdraw from the territories it occupied in 1967.

He added that this Syrian viewpoint was behind intensifying relations with the PLO, especially with Fatah, noting that intensification of relations between the two sides escalated to military confrontation on Lebanon. He continued that Syrian-Palestinian relations were, particular, intensified during the Lebanese civil war.

He wrote, "Now that Arabs are all in confrontation of the Israeli intransigence and there are no Arab disputes over the principle of political settlement with Israel, all sides have to stand firm in shouldering their responsibilities."

Abu Sharif concluded, "If a meeting or understanding is not maintained, a great harm will be done to Arab interests," adding, "It is ripe time to reach a tactical and strategic understanding between Syria and Palestine."