Palestine and the Arab-Israeli Conflict by Charles D. Smith

Author:Charles D. Smith [Smith, Charles D.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
ISBN: 9781319098513
Publisher: Bedford/St. Martin's
Published: 2016-09-09T04:00:00+00:00

DOCUMENT 6.1

COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 1 FROM HEADQUARTERS OF ASIFA FORCES (FATAH)

January 6, 1965

This communiqué marked the appearance of Fatah and the launching of its raids into Israel. The title al-Asifa (The Storm) was used initially to avoid Arab government wrath in case of Israeli retaliation. The attacks were aimed at water-diversion projects, a source of great tension between Israel and Syria, mentioned in the communiqué. Note also the specific reference to Palestine but in the context of an appeal to the “single Arab nation,” which reflects the pan-Arab currents of the time.

From among our steadfast people, waiting at the borders, our revolutionary vanguard has issued forth, in the belief that armed revolution is our only path to Palestine and freedom. Let the imperialists and Zionists know that the people of Palestine are still in the field of battle and shall never be swept away.

Our enemies have forgotten our strength and our history of revolutions. We are determined to resort to armed conflict whatever the obstacles, until all conspiracies are foiled. The Zionists have planned to stay long in our country by executing diversion and reconstruction projects aimed at increasing their potential for aggression and forcing the Arab world to accept the fait accompli.

Because of all these threats and since time is running out, our revolutionary vanguard had to move fast in order to paralyze the enemy’s plans and projects. In this task, we rely upon our own strength and on the capabilities of the people of Palestine.

We hereby declare to the whole world that we are bound indissolubly to the soil of our homeland. Our moving force is our own faith that this is the only means which can reactivate our problem which has been dormant for so long. But we must also inform the world that we are bound, by our destiny and struggle, to the Arab nation which will help us, both materially and morally.

We appeal to the Arabs of Palestine, to our single Arab nation and to lovers of freedom everywhere to aid the fighting men of the Asifa in their heroic struggle. We pledge ourselves to fight until Palestine is liberated and resumes its place in the very heart of the Arab world. Long live the Arab nation. Long live our Arab Palestine.

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