Where The Line Is Drawn XXII

Shehadeh writes that certain well dressed and assured members of the Palestinian Authority would never feel any guilt or responsibility because they did not:

"...have an active populace ready to hold [them] accountable." (p. 170)

There are two concepts of leadership: those who "...managed to remain where they were - on top..." (ibid.) and those who encourage and give a lead to popular action.

"...I wondered who to blame for the death of the young men in Jenin. Israel and its brutal policies, of course, but also the Palestinian leadership for its failure to lead. If it couldn't assume responsibility for its own people, its failure was criminal." (ibid.)

Shehadeh condemns "...the appalling actions of the Palestinians who killed innocent civilians..." (p. 159), the brutal policies of Israel and the criminal failure of the Palestinian Authority. I agree with him - but, living on a peaceful, racially mixed street in the North West of England, I am not in danger of being fired at by both sides.