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I. J. Mansdorf, PhD is an Israeli-based psychologist who has been active dealing with the effects of terror both in Israel and in the United States. He most recently served as a consultant to the post 9-11 operations of Project Liberty in New York. He currently serves as director of the .
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By I. J. Mansdorf, PhD
June 24, 2003
Originally published in the Baltimore Sun.
When Mahmoud Abbas, the new Palestinian prime minister, began his term of office, many convinced themselves that artificial regime change would bring about democracy and, eventually, peace.
Today, despite Mr. Abbas' promises to end the Palestinian Intifada, or uprising, and to act vigorously against incitement, hatred and terrorism, the purposeful, planned and targeted violence against Israelis continues.
Why is anyone surprised?
As National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice said recently, the foundation of democracy is the development of a strong civil society that supports its government's institutions. In other words, democracy and peace will come when the people demand it, not when the politicians feign it.
When unabashed promoters of terrorism such as Hamas' Abdel Aziz Rantisi continue to be able to use the educational system, the press and the cultural institutions of Palestinian society without any resistance, it means that their message, and not that of Mr. Abbas, is the one that resonates.
Sound far-fetched?
Then look at what the people are saying.
The following is a summary of one of the findings of a poll recently taken by the Jerusalem Media and Communication Center, a Palestinian organization: "The majority of Palestinians believe military operations (including suicide bombings) against Israeli targets (including Israeli civilians) are a suitable response to Israeli occupation within the current political situation."
Translation? If the will of the Palestinian majority is applied, buses will continue to be blown up, cafes and restaurants will continue to be attacked and Israelis will continue living a life in which going to the supermarket to buy tomatoes is a high-risk behavior.
Lest you think that this was the sentiment only before Mr. Abbas took office, the poll also found that people felt that Mr. Abbas "will not have an influence on the internal situation and the current PA [Palestinian Authority] reform process." In other words, things on the Palestinian street will continue as before.
What does this mean for those who think that regime change can change the will of the people?
It means they are wrong.
In a real democracy, it works the other way around: The people determine the government. The danger in trying to force-feed democracy is that you don't always get what you plan for. A democratic Palestinian government will not be determined by the United States, the United Nations, Russia, the European Union or Israel. It will be determined by the Palestinians. That's what's troubling to the average Israeli, and that's what should trouble the policymakers.
Even if Mr. Abbas succeeds in harnessing Hamas and the Islamic Jihad, will he be able to change the mindset that is behind the support for these organizations? What can you say about a people where 60 percent of the population favors these barbaric acts of terrorism?
For one thing, it is a population that may not be ready for democracy.
Is it a population that will never be ready for democracy? Not at all. But as long as a generation raised with hate and confrontation continues to live in a society that reinforces these values, peace will lose. One thing the Palestinians have managed to demonstrate is that they are a patient people. Fifty-five years ago, the Arab world rejected what Israel accepted, a Palestinian state.
Today, Israelis ask what type of state will be established when the majority of the people see terrorism as a legitimate means of attaining national goals. And what can you say when nearly half of the people still see those national goals not only as being an end to the "occupation" but an end to the state of Israel?
Unless the Palestinian people demand and create a society that is free from hate, their goal of independence and personal freedom will never truly be reached.
Views expressed by the author do not
necessarily reflect those of israelinsider.
 
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