(Grace Said recently asked members of PIN's Palestinian Advisory Group their perspective on the current dynamics in Palestine and Israel.  This is Nora Carmi's response)

Dear Grace,

September is only two and a half months away, and I for one am very concerned about the future. Of course, had the unending peace process yielded a positive solution years ago, the Palestinians would not be in this defying mood. The fact is that we already declared our state in 1988 on the borders of 1967 and made the real painful compromise of denying the full rights of our refugees for the sake of peace!

Many of our friends know my Utopian dream of the geographical space of Palestine/Israel (name it what you want !) of being a haven of harmonious living for the two peoples. Unfortunately, realistically,
it is even farther than the two state solution today. It is clear that Israel is doing everything possible to sabotage a Palestinian state; and Haaretz disclosed that the Ministry of Foreign affairs has instructed
all Israeli diplomats to put pressure in  the countries where they are not to support The Palestinian State.

For the Palestinian people within the oPt, there is a lot of consultation, deliberation, expectations and real concern. Is it recognition as a member state at the UN at this stage? What if in the security council the US vetoes? What measures then? Remember that we are talking about the fate of 10 million Palestinians ALL over the world and not only those who are in Palestine.  What happens to those
who are in Israel?  And what about the RIGHT of return of our refugees?.

I may have confused you even more. My advice is to follow closely the developments. I believe that your wise stand should be that the Palestinians, like other peoples, have the right to live in a free democratic state of their own.   After 63 years, I think that it is time for the global community to stand with our just cause and stop pampering the spoiled child Israel. Let us all work together to find the way for the Palestinians to live in dignity.

Sincere words from a Palestinian Refugee.

Nora Carmi