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Palestinian Ambassador to Zimbabwe Hashem Dajan . . . “The Israelis are using the Old Testament of the Holy Bible as justification for undermining our sovereignty”

Obi Egbuna (Jnr) Correspondent

Progressive and revolutionary forces recently commemorated the Nakba, the catastrophe when more than 750 000 Palestinians were expelled from their homeland, in order to create the Zionist State of Israel. While this atrocity occurred over 67 years ago, today The Nakba represents 750 000 Palestinians plus dispossessed, 400 plus villages destroyed, two dozen plus massacres, and 4,2 million acres of land confiscated. This has resulted in over 7 million Palestinian refugees today. One of President Mugabe and ZANU-PF’s crowning achievements in the area of revolutionary solidarity has been the unwavering support of the Palestinian people and struggle. This is an historic interview conducted by the US correspondent to The Herald Obi Egbuna (OE) with the Palestinian Ambassador to Zimbabwe Hashem Dajani (AHD).

OE: Please highlight the historical relationship between Palestine and Zimbabwe?

AHD: Zimbabwe and Palestine developed strong relations of solidarity and support since the days of Zimbabwe’s struggle against the white minority, racist regime of Ian Smith. Both countries and people suffered from British colonisation, and Zimbabwe got its independence in 1980, while Palestine continued to suffer under the Zionist settlers’ occupation until today.

Zimbabwe continued its support for the Palestinian cause and just struggle and recognised the PLO as the sole representative of the Palestinian people and opened an embassy for the PLO in 1983. Ali Halimeh was the first Ambassador of Palestine to Zimbabwe. He was a good friend of Zimbabweans. He was extremely popular and made a lot of friends who supported the cause of Palestine, among them Dr Nathan Shamuyarira, David Karimanzira, the late Vice Presidents, and President Mugabe himself.

In 1988 Zimbabwe was one of the first countries to recognise the Proclamation of Independence of the State of Palestine when it was officially declared. Since that time the status of our mission has been raised to full embassy of the State of Palestine.

OE: During President Mugabe’s acceptance speech of the SADC chairmanship in August last year, he condemned Zionist aggression against the Palestinians. How did that make you feel?

AHD: President Mugabe’s statement during the Israeli aggression against our people and in front of the SADC Summit of the Heads of State was not surprising as it was coming from a principled revolutionary leader and liberator, who used to speak out in support of international law and humanitarian law, and condemned those who kept silent towards the crimes of Israel against the defenceless children and women in Gaza, and the double standards of the so-called free world when it comes to their interests. He spoke on behalf of Zimbabwe, SADC and Africa, and all peace-loving nations.

OE: Are there any particular resolutions or activities that Palestine would like to see SADC and the AU pursue in connection with the Palestinian question?

AHD: SADC and the AU helped Palestine on a continental level, at the United Nations when it came to Palestine receiving full membership of UNESCO. African countries have also supported Palestine through the Non-Aligned Movement.

We would like all of Africa’s regional bodies, for example SADC, COMESA, NEPAD, and of course, the AU, to support our call to boycott corporations and businesses that support the Israeli settlements. They should not receive legitimacy. Because many African nations are predominantly Christian, they should address the fact that areas around the holy place of Bethlehem are illegally occupied; which areas belong to the Palestinians.

The Israelis use the Old Testament of the Holy Bible as justification for undermining our sovereignty. They attempt to manipulate Christians to believe they are God’s chosen people. Israeli state terrorism is not compatible with religious values. The word of God deals with tolerance and love, not state-sponsored terrorism in the name of God.

OE: In 2001 Chairman Yasser Arafat made his final visit to Zimbabwe. What were the most significant aspects of that visit?

AHD: Chairman Arafat always saw visiting all friends of Palestine and briefing them on any new developments as a matter of the utmost importance. He considered the value of solidarity immeasurable; without solidarity we could have not come this far. He made several visits to Zimbabwe in order to keep that special relationship with President Mugabe and the people of Zimbabwe, which as I mentioned earlier, predates Zimbabwe’s independence.

He realised that Zimbabwe has a pivotal political and historical role within the SADC region. He always stressed the importance of African continental support for the Palestinian cause. He was in particular extremely appreciative of the support of the Palestinian cause that came from the SADC region.

OE: Is Palestine willing to use platforms available on the world stage to call for the lifting of US-EU sanctions on Zimbabwe?

AHD: Anyone here on the ground in Zimbabwe can see how these sanctions are harming the ordinary people. Zimbabwe is an independent nation and it belongs to Zimbabweans. We are against the sanctions and in favour of dialogue that respects that fact. We are for normalised relations between Zimbabwe and the West.