Kenneth Stein, discussing the future of the Palestinian people,
cited high voter turnout in the 2005 Palestinian elections to
emphasize the potential for democratic rule in the region and to
emphasize the changes underway.
Stein, the director of the Institute for Modern Israel at Emory
College, spoke on campus Monday, addressing community members,
professors and students about what the death of Yasser Arafat, the
former Palestinian leader, means to the Palestinian people and to
the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
In his lecture, Stein outlined the political history of the
region suggesting that Palestinians feel the need for
self-determination due to the repeated foreign intervention in
determining the fate of the Palestinian territory, among other
reasons. Arafat’s death, he said, may provide the impetus for
self-determination.
“Arafat’s death was one more factor … in the
emancipation of Palestinian self-determination,” Stein
said.
Mahmoud Abbas was elected in January as the new Palestinian
leader. The high voter turnout demonstrates the desires of the
Palestinian people for a reformed government system and one that
responds to their needs, Stein said.
One reason for this reaction, he said, is that the elections
presented to the Palestinians the right to free expression and self
determination.
Adam Talib, a third-year comparative literature student, agreed
with Stein that election results conveyed political and social
changes. Votes for secular candidate Mustafa Barghouti is one such
indication of change, Talib said.
In addition, the Palestinian press is discussing a need for
government reform and democracy, Stein said. This
“self-criticism” indicates the political changes taking
place in the Palestinian territory, he said.
Arafat left behind a fragmented society undecided about their
desires to negotiate or to pursue resistance, he said.
Though Stein emphasized the importance of understanding the
Palestinian desire for political reform, he said that did not
necessarily mean that an agreement between Israelis and
Palestinians would be reached.
Steven Spiegel, a political science professor who introduced
Stein at the lecture, said he agreed there is potential for
democracy in the Palestinian territory.
These movements toward democracy will translate into a
resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict depending on the
type of democracy adopted and if this system opts for peace rather
than conflict, Spiegel added.
Peace in the Israel-Palestine region is also contingent upon
Israel’s actions during Abbas’ term in office.
Last week, Bruins for Israel held a discussion about what
Abbas’ election will mean for the resolution of the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Students presented a wide range of views, said Jasmin Niku, a
first-year political science student and member of Bruins for
Israel.
Niku, who attended Stein’s lecture, said she felt the
election of Abbas marked a step in the right direction, but that
change in leadership was not enough to lead to a solution.