• printer friendly
• mail this article
• iPod format
• digg

Photo

Emory College Professor Kenneth W. Stein points out voter turnout statistics.

Kenneth Stein, discussing the future of the Palestinian people, cited high voter turnout in the 2005 Palestinian elections to emphasize the potential for democratic rule in the region and to emphasize the changes underway.

Stein, the director of the Institute for Modern Israel at Emory College, spoke on campus Monday, addressing community members, professors and students about what the death of Yasser Arafat, the former Palestinian leader, means to the Palestinian people and to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

In his lecture, Stein outlined the political history of the region suggesting that Palestinians feel the need for self-determination due to the repeated foreign intervention in determining the fate of the Palestinian territory, among other reasons. Arafat’s death, he said, may provide the impetus for self-determination.

“Arafat’s death was one more factor ... in the emancipation of Palestinian self-determination,” Stein said.

Mahmoud Abbas was elected in January as the new Palestinian leader. The high voter turnout demonstrates the desires of the Palestinian people for a reformed government system and one that responds to their needs, Stein said.

One reason for this reaction, he said, is that the elections presented to the Palestinians the right to free expression and self determination.

Adam Talib, a third-year comparative literature student, agreed with Stein that election results conveyed political and social changes. Votes for secular candidate Mustafa Barghouti is one such indication of change, Talib said.

In addition, the Palestinian press is discussing a need for government reform and democracy, Stein said. This “self-criticism” indicates the political changes taking place in the Palestinian territory, he said.

Arafat left behind a fragmented society undecided about their desires to negotiate or to pursue resistance, he said.

Though Stein emphasized the importance of understanding the Palestinian desire for political reform, he said that did not necessarily mean that an agreement between Israelis and Palestinians would be reached.

Steven Spiegel, a political science professor who introduced Stein at the lecture, said he agreed there is potential for democracy in the Palestinian territory.

These movements toward democracy will translate into a resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict depending on the type of democracy adopted and if this system opts for peace rather than conflict, Spiegel added.

Peace in the Israel-Palestine region is also contingent upon Israel’s actions during Abbas’ term in office.

Last week, Bruins for Israel held a discussion about what Abbas’ election will mean for the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Students presented a wide range of views, said Jasmin Niku, a first-year political science student and member of Bruins for Israel.

Niku, who attended Stein’s lecture, said she felt the election of Abbas marked a step in the right direction, but that change in leadership was not enough to lead to a solution.