PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas to Palestinian People: No One Is Above the Law

The following are excerpts from a speech by PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, which aired on PA TV on July 16, 2005.

Abbas: In the platform presented in the elections on behalf of the Fatah movement, I emphasized our national principles and our adherence to our inalienable rights. We also emphasized our adherence to the option of resistance and of self-defense, which is supported by international conventions. We were very clear in our absolute rejection and our strong condemnation of acts that violate these conventions, and contradict our traditions and principles, acts that inflict the worst kind of damage on our cause and on our supreme national interest, and distort our national struggle and its advanced position in the course of the human struggle.

We were clear in our rejection of bombing operations that cause heavy damage to the supreme interest of our people. We rejected the launching of mortars and missiles, which constitute futile acts that have brought, and still bring, disasters upon our citizens. We have rejected the attempt of any camp to impose its private agenda on our people.

We have emphasized throughout the world that we will not be dragged into a civil war, and that our traditions and the frameworks of our political activity provide a true opportunity for political pluralism under one authority.

We explained to our brothers, the faction leaders, especially at the last meeting in Damascus, the significance of the Israeli scheme, and we warned them not to be dragged after the expected provocations, and we felt at that time that everybody agreed on this issue.

Hence, we were recently surprised when leaders and groups in some of the factions appear in the media, take political actions, and operate on the ground in ways that contradict our understandings and agreements. These activities damage our political and diplomatic gains, and provides Israel with pretexts to evade international pressure. These activities lead to martyrs, to injuries. It also seems that there are those who think that our patience and restraint in the face of their violations are signs of weakness.

It seems that there are those who think they can maintain a twofold policy – talking about unity, compromise, and calm, while doing the exact opposite, and aspiring to weaken the Authority and trample its honor.

While we encourage all groups and factions to participate in the political activity protected by our laws, and we say to all: No one has authority on our land except for the Palestinian National Authority, and there is no law other than the law accepted by our elected council, and no weapon is legal in the streets of our cities, villages, and refugee camps, except for the weapons of our security forces.

We will not allow anyone to terrorize our citizens, or violate their security or rights. Therefore, we will not take lightly or tolerate those who attempt to violate law or challenge the rule of law. No one is above the law.