Al-Zaytouna Centre for Studies and Consultations is a Beirut-based think tank that "strives to raise the local, regional and international awareness about the realities and repercussions of the events in the region, with special reference to the Palestinian issue and the conflict with Israel. "
A new article that is only in their Arabic site proposes a strategy on how to hijack the Ukraine crisis into making the world more sympathetic to Palestinians.
The cynicism is palpable.
It notes that international attention is now focused on Ukraine, meaning there is less attention on the Palestinian cause. But it thinks that a new "popular uprising" during Ramadan in April, backed up with Hamas rockets, would bring attention back to the Palestinian issue and embarrass Israel because the Palestinian "resistance" would appear to the world to be just like Ukrainian "resistance."
Its recommendations include:
The Ukrainian crisis requires special attention on the part of the Palestinian parties, in terms of positions and language of discourse, including:* Investing the rising discourse at the Western level that states support the armed resistance of the invasion and occupation forces, given the Ukrainian situation, in confirming the legitimacy of the resistance of Palestine and the just struggle of its people.* Benefiting from the sanctions and disinvestment policies led by the United States and its allies against Russia in the face of policies and propaganda efforts against boycotting the Israeli occupation, and disinvesting and imposing sanctions on it.* Avoidance of appearing in a position in favor of the Russian invasion and the occupation that it may entail in Ukraine, given the initial dimensions in this regard, and the contradiction of such an assumed position with the demand for the end of the occupation in Palestine.
That last point is a wonderful encapsulation of the Palestinian mentality. They are saying, "We might support Russia like we support every autocratic regime in the world, but don't say it out loud because it makes us look like hypocrites as we are trying to publicly identify with the Ukrainian people."
It shows that the Palestinian position towards any world event is not driven by principles or morals, but purely from the viewpoint of "how can I take advantage of this?"
Also notice that Israel-hating Western reporters have already adopted the first recommendation.
