Judith Le Blanc, correspondent of the People's Weekly World and Vice-Chair of the Communist Party USA, spoke about her April visit to Israel and the Occupied Territories at Stoney Run Friends Meeting House. About 45 attended the discussion sponsored by the Communist Party of Maryland and the Baltimore Peace Action Network.

Le Blanc was part of a 16-person interfaith delegation sponsored by the Fellowship for Reconciliation. The delegation met with representatives of the Palestinian Liberation Organization, Israeli Knesset members, trade unionists, and peace activists in Israel and Palestine. They visited Bethlehem, Gaza City, Jenin Refugee Camp, Ramallah, and Israel. They also joined the International Solidarity Movement to deliver food and medicine to the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem which was under siege by Israeli Defense Forces.

Le Blanc discussed the devastation which Israeli military actions during the past 20 months have laid on Palestine. $361 million of damage to infrastructure has exasperated already serious economic conditions. Unemployment in Palestine has increased from 45% to more than 75%. 50% are living below the poverty line while many children suffer malnutrition. Hundreds of schools, all television stations, and the offices of many non-government organizations have been destroyed. Even joint Israeli-Palestinian business projects involving multinational corporations, such as McDonalds and Nike, have been destroyed.

Israel's attack on Palestian infrastructure has included the destruction of research compiled by the Palestinian Authority's Ministry of Education. Le Blanc spoke to members of the ministry who reported that Israeli soldiers stole databases.

Le Blanc noted that the economic consequences in Israel have also been severe. Unemployment is 12%, factories have shut down, new investments are constrained by the military situation, and privatization has damaged the public sector. According to Le Blanc, the cost of the past two months of military intervention in Palestine has brought the Israeli economy "deeper and deeper into recession."

However, there is resistance in both Israel and Palestine to the policies of the government of Ariel Sharon. Le Blanc reported that families in Ramallah have set up 'mini-schools' so that children can continue to learn mathematics, French, and other subjects. Such forms of resistance are widespread on the West Bank. Le Blanc visited a refugee camp in the Gaza Strip. There she met some Palestinian youth who, as they prepared a pipe-bomb for sabotage, said "We are not terrorists. We are fighting for a homeland ... we will not give-up without a fight." Nonetheless, Le Blanc observed that while Palestinians "still have a reserve of strength, people are beginning to feel hopeless."

The political situation for the Palestinian Liberation Organization is, according to Le Blanc, a "big challenge." During the Israeli military intervention, there have been no political meetings. The Palestinian Authority has been unable to function in the cities of the West Bank. Yet, the PLO must "help people to think through how to peacefully resist." Despite much criticism of the leadership of Yassir Arafat by Palestinians, 85% continue to support him.

In Israel, resistance to the policies of Sharon takes various forms. But, according to Le Blanc, "we do not hear these voices in the USA." 20% of the Israeli Knesset oppose the Sharon military policies. Hundreds of Israeli soldiers have refused to take part in the military excursions in the Palestinian Territories. Protests in the streets of Haifa and Tel Aviv began with 5,000 to 15,000. Two weeks ago 100,000 demonstrated in Tel Aviv. Further, Le Blanc suggested that the 600,000 member labor federation, the Histadrut, may consider a general strike against Israeli's new economic policies.

Since the US media does not report accurately the political situation in Israel, Le Blanc emphasized the important role activists in the US have. Sharon's goal is to "annex the West Bank and Gaza Strip." The Bush administration, as past US governments, continue to support Israel. Yet, public opinion polls in the US show that 68% of US citizens support a two-state solution. A similar percentage in Israel agree, yet many also support the military excursions.

According to Le Blanc, it is important for US activists to support the recent efforts of the AFL-CIO and the National Council of Churches calling for a peaceful solution. It is also important to make legislators accountable. Le Blanc noted that 50 members of US Congress voted 'no' on a resolution to increase US arms sales to Israel (discussion participant Rhonda Copperstein pointed out that the entire Maryland delegation supported the resolution). Le Blanc emphasized the need for a "grassroots movement for a democratic foreign policy in the United States."

Q: Is there understanding of the distinction between Zionism and Judaism in the Israeli settlements?

Le Blanc: In Israel, the majority are secular. Many attempt to recapture the progressive elements of [historical] Zionism.

Q: Most people think of the Likud as the right wing in Israel. But more settlements were established under Labor Party governments. Please comment.

Le Blanc: Opinion polls of members of the Likud show that there is division even there. In Israel, the Left versus the Right cuts on the issue of the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories.

Q(from a Palestinian): You support a two-state solution. But there remains the problem of this position as slogan versus a detailed program. How will a two-state solution deal with the reality of millions of Palestinian refugees?

Le Blanc: Three things must immediately happen. First, there must be an immediate cease-fire. Nothing can be done without an end to the military excursions. Second, there must be an international presence established with a mandate led by the United Nations. The United States must accept UN authority. Both the AFL-CIO and the United Council of Churches support this. Third, Palestinian representatives and Israeli representatives must sit down and negotiate. There is the problem that some extremists, such as Hizbollah and the Islamic Jihad, advocate the end of Israel as a state. I do not agree with this position.

Q: What about a one-state solution?

Le Blanc: Perhaps someday a bi-national state will be possible. But now the need is for Palestinian national self-determination.

Q: How are the Israeli settlements in Palestinian lands justified in Israel?

Le Blanc: There are advocates for the settlements in the Israeli Knesset.

Q: What is the basis for a peace settlement?

Le Blanc: There was much discussion of the Oslo Accords. OSLO seemed to represent a possibility. But the Accords only gave the Palestinian Authority responsibility for the organization of education, health care, policing. It did not give political power. Israeli governments have worked to destroy the possibility represented by Oslo. It is almost impossible for the Palestinians to negotiate from their current position of weakness. Therefore, the Palestinians need our support now.

Q: I have found that it is almost impossible to meet with US legislators on this issue. It is even difficult to talk to aids. What political approach can you recommend?

Le Blanc: There has been a large town hall meeting in Chicago. And the national group Peace Action has initiated a campaign for a democratic foreign policy in the US. There is also new organizing in some Jewish congregations on the importance of peace between Israelis and Palestinians. We need to publicize such organizing, encourage exchanges, and educate about the crisis.

See also Stephen Shalom, "Background to the Israel-Palestine Crisis" in Z Magazine, May 2002
www.lbbs.org/shalom-meqa.htm