“Truth is Best”

Mr. Fayez Abu Rahma has made the right decision in resigning his post as Attorney General of the Palestinian Authority (PA). Now, the question arises as to whether his successor will be willing and able to fulfill the duties of this important post.

After months of reports about Mr. Abu Rahma’s frustration at the continuous infringements on his duties and responsibilities, news of his resignation did not come as a surprise. He tried to introduce some changes by keeping a low profile and working patiently. Unfortunately, because of the overwhelming pressure brought upon him, magnified by personal and health reasons, he did not do all that we had hoped.

Everybody realizes the importance of the post of Attorney General. Under the Palestinian Authority, this post has so far lacked a person with a strong-will and fearlessness in defending public rights. In civilized countries, the Attorney General is the enemy of injustice, the guardian against abuse of power and breaches of the law, the helpless people’s shelter from the tyranny of the powerful.

We hope that the Palestinian Authority will choose a suitable person as the Attorney General, a person different from his predecessors. What the PA needs today are men and women who believe in the rule of law and work towards establishing respect for the rights of the Palestinian people.

Although the Palestinian experience with self-rule is still new and is much better than in neighboring Arab countries where people do not dare speak about human rights, the time is ripe to end all human rights violations and to establish justice and the rule of law.

At a time when we are still struggling against the continuous, systematic violation of our human and political rights by Israel, we should create an example of respect for human rights in the Palestinian Areas. We should not put people in jail due to political or ideological differences. We should not subject anyone to torture or mistreatment under any circumstances. Detainees must enjoy the full rights of attorney and visitation regardless of the charge against them. Suspects must be brought in front of a judge to extend their remands or set them free. And court decisions must be implemented.

The Attorney General heads the system that oversees and controls all such matters. He cannot be the last to know about abuses, as has been the case in the past.

We all want a strong authority to lead us to safety in our struggle for freedom. However, the source of this strength is a different matter. We call on the PA to reconsider this issue and to draw its strength from the law by preserving people’s rights. The strength of an authority does not come from the World Bank, which has recently stopped all aid to the Palestinians pending the payment of taxes. Its power does not come from a London conference and the whales’ struggle over security and trade, even if such a conference results in Israel accepting a 13% withdrawal from the West Bank and the ensuing false pretense that the Palestinians have achieved a victory.

The real strength of the Palestinian Authority is derived from the people, whether in support or opposition, when all are equal under the law. It does not come from throwing accusations through the media and questioning others’ patriotism and honor. The Authority’s power derives from democratic dialogue with all sectors of the population and their representatives in the Palestinian Legislative Council. That Council suffered such a blow from the resignation of Dr. Haider Abdel

Shafi that other members are thinking of doing the same. Still others think about forming an opposition bloc due to the absence of effective opposition parties.

Mr. Fayez Abu Rahma was sitting in the crater of a volcano confronting one problem after another until he felt that he was all alone. That’s when he resigned.

Waiting for the new Attorney General, we hope to see someone armed with justice and strength prepared to overcome the volcano.