Fayyad to “end the occupation, despite the occupation”

Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad declared a plan today to strengthen government institutions and law enforcement in Gaza and the West Bank in order to make the creation of a Palestinian state possible within two years. The plan, outlined in a 65 page document, would create a de-facto state regardless of unclear prospects for peace negotiations. He calls for an international airport in the Jordan Valley and rail links to neighboring countries.

Fayyad hopes that this de facto state would push Israel to move forward on its commitments toward a two-state solution. He told the London Times that "the days of mutual recriminations were over and that both sides must commit to the 2003 'road map' whereby Israel would implement a comprehensive settlement freeze and the Palestinians curb the activities of militant groups."

According to Israel Radio News:

Fayyad said he wanted to disconnect the Palestinian economy from its dependence on Israel and that he thinks that the international community will help the Palestinians pay for realizing his plan.

Israel Radio also reported that in order to achieve a state by the target date of two years, a unity agreement must be reached with Hamas in Gaza.

Ha'aretz reports:

The plan is short on detail, but setting out these objectives is a departure from Palestinian policy over the past 15 years, which focused exclusively on negotiations with Israel rather than building institutions.

Western-backed Fayyad says Palestinians must not wait for a final peace settlement with Israel but get on with creating their state.

"We call upon all our people to work together on the basis of full partnership in the process of completing and building the institutions of a free, democratic and stable state of Palestine," the plan states.

It speaks of building infrastructure, securing energy sources and water, and improving housing, education, and agriculture. But no detailed prescriptions are included.

"The government will work on encouraging investment in Palestine through offering tax cuts to local and foreign investors (and) will review investment regulations and remove obstacles that hinder investment," says the document.

"Our national duty stipulates that we should do whatever we can to get our economy out of the cycle of dependency and alienation."

The full plan, entitled "Ending the Occupation, Establishing the State" can be found through the Geneva Accord's website here.