Peace Must Be Based on Justice

Peace cannot be achieved unless we are equals and based on mutual respect and true desire for its establishment so that the future generations can benefit from it. It is not a matter of bargaining over small matters. The issue at hand is far bigger, and its dangers are real.

God willing, we shall come to a stage where the world looks at the Palestinian question, and Palestinian rights on Palestinian national soil, as well as the questions of the occupied Syrian and Lebanese territories. These are the bases on which peace will be built.

Interview with Orbit Television
February 25, 1998

I do not see that there ever can be a solution to the problem (of achieving peace) without addressing the Palestinian-Israeli dimension of it in terms of Palestinian rights on Palestinian soil. So although there may be progress on the one level or another, here or there, in the final analysis peace will be ratified when all the elements of the dilemma -or the problem and tragedy in this region, the question of rights- is addressed and when there’s a solution to the problem that is comprehensive.

Interview with French Television 3
May 16, 1993

Peace which results from negotiations is permanent because it is the outcome of mutual understanding and accommodation between the parties to the conflict, but without sacrificing rights or deviating from the principle of international legitimacy. For peace to be permanent it must be balanced and not governed by a disparity between the materially strong and weak. It must be founded on the basis of right and justice and the common good of those who conclude it. This will, therefore, insure that future generations will reap its benefits and will protect it.

Address to the Jordanian National Congress
Amman
October 12, 1991

I can think of no better recipe for toning down the extremist fervor that has plagued the Middle East these many years than tangible progress on the Palestinian issue. Only when justice is seen to be done can fanaticism be defeated.

Address at the University of Ottawa
Ottawa, Canada
October 11, 1989

The final myth is that the Palestinian problem is secondary to the main issues of the conflict, which concern only Israel and the Arab states. According to the Israeli prime minister, by insisting on the primacy of the Palestine question, “The Arabs have put the cart before the horse.” My friends, the horse is in the cart. This myth is designed to counter world recognition of Palestinian rights. Israel is avoiding an issue which must be resolved if peace is to be achieved.

Address to the World Affairs Council
Los Angeles, USA
April 6, 1976

I will not speak to you only about peace, for the precondition of peace is justice. When we have achieved justice we will have achieved peace in the Middle East. There has been much talk in these chambers about peace. There has been little talk about justice. . . . What Jordan and the Arabs want . . . is peace with justice.

Address to the United Nations
New York
June 26, 1967

It would behoove the world to become used to this fact: that without a just solution to the Palestine tragedy, there can be no stable peace in the Middle East.

p. 91, Uneasy Lies the Head, 1962