The convoy of seven armoured jeeps pulled
up in the dark mist at the front entrance of
Moqataa, where they had come to take away
my four PFLP friends, pawns in a sick and
twisted political game. The metal shutters
were ordered to be completely closed,
although later some soldiers with me opened
them to catch a last glimpse of their friends.
The transfer into US and British hands took
about an hour, the jeeps' engines always
running, as they were slowly led one by one
into different cars by the CIA and security
services.
Leaving their room and walking through the
corridor connecting them with the outside
world, they were kissed and hugged by other
soldiers, and lastly gave the victory sign as
they were led out the door, handcuffed.
Emotion welled up inside me, and the soldiers
peering through the narrrow gaps on the third
floor overlooking the entrance. They shook
their heads, upset for their friends and the
reason they were leaving, unlikely to see them
again. One was taken in a wheelchair, due to
his broken leg after having jumped out a
window to escape capture by the Isrealis. The
proceedings were watched by the Israeli
soldiers, through still and video cameras,
machine guns and M16s, shining bright lights
from tanks and bulldozers. And then they left,
for Jericho prison, along with 2 others, one
the leader of the PFLP, the other suspected of
trying to bring arms into Palestine. The latter 2
would be held in a military compound beside
the prison, and await evidence the Israelis
may have against them. The that i knew, as
did other internationals, 2 of who were only in
their early 20's, were suspected of killing the
right wing tourist minister, a close friend of
Sharon, and who was the main instigator of
illegal Israeli settlement in Palestine and
confiscation of land, and who, like Sharon,
was against the creation of a Palestinian
state. He had been assassinated in occupied
East Jerusalem, land confiscated by Israel in
the 1967 war, in response to the
assassination of their own leader, and 17
political assinations carried out by Sharon
during a ceasefire.
The PFLP are the second largest group in the
PLO, and are part of the Palestinian Authority.
They are the main left wing party, and a
legitimate partner in the resistance of
occupation under International law. They
believe in equal rights for men and women, do
not carry out attacks in Israel, and accept the
State of Israel, wanting a state of Palestine
alongside their neighbours.
These were the men that Sharon wanted to
either kill (along with Arafat) or be tried in
Israel, against the agreements since Oslo,
which states that a Palestinian committing a
crime against Israel would be tried in
Palestinian courts, and visa versa for Israelis.
What has upset so many Palestinians is that
those responsible for the assassination of the
PFLP's leader are heros in Israel, the double
standards unacceptable for them. They are
upset that Arafat has had to again give in to
the Isrealis and international pressure to
show that Arafat is a man of peace, and that
he is doing everything to fight 'terror'.
I spent some time with the 4 accused. They
were wonderful people. I did not discuss the
crime they were suspected committing. We
talked about their lives, where they were
from, what they stood for. They would share
the little they had with me, tea, food,
cigarettes, and would ask me about my life. I
was upset i didnt see them on the day of their
departure, as security had been tightened up
around them. But i did see them after they had
received news of the deal that was being
made by the US and Britain. They were
resigned to their fate, solemn yet with a smile
and nod of acceptance. I wished them well,
and left.
They were resistance fighters, and whatever
they may or may not have done, they
Palestinian people had lost again, had had to
give in once more to the will of Israel, while
they had no power to have those who had
killed one of their leaders tried, and again
were given the label of 'terrorists', while the
fascist Israeli regime continued its
destruction throughout their country.