(Image source: Al Jazeera)

BY EMOKE BEBIAK

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The publication of the Palestine Papers has led to widespread debate about how the documents reflect on Palestine and Israel. The papers containing classified information about peace talks were leaked to Al Jazeera and The Guardian.

Guardian blogger Harriet Sherwood suggests Palestine might in fact benefit from the documents.

“...[they] show the Palestinians were serious about negotiating, and were willing to make big and painful concessions for peace and to secure their dream of a state. From the papers I've read, there is little evidence of the Israelis matching this approach by making serious and painful concessions of their own.”

A commenter for Democracy Now! says regardless of which country looked better, the documents outlined a clear power dynamic.

“The revelations are quite striking. The most important I think is the degree to which not only Palestinian negotiators were forthcoming, but the degree to which the Israelis were unwilling to accept concessions. It seriously casts into doubt the idea that Israel would accept anything but complete capitulation by the Palestinians to absolutely everything they’re demanding on every front.”

A blogger for MuslimMatters agrees and feels the publication of these papers reveal a relationship that hasn’t always been accurately portrayed.

“In the past, Western media has projected the scenario that Israel lacks a viable partner for peace in the Palestinians, who are portrayed as fractured and incapable of accepting the ‘generous concessions’ made by Israel. But these papers reveal an alternative reality, one in which Palestinian negotiators acquiesced settlements [...] in return for nothing.”

But Al Jazeera says, despite how accommodating Palestinian leaders appeared may appear in the documents, they may have disregarded the consequences to Palestinian people by offering some of these concessions.

“Ezzat Hussain Kiwani moved here in 1947 expelled from West Jerusalem at the creation of the new state of Israel. He’s angry the negotiators would even consider giving away his home.”

But Israeli newspaper Ha’aretz says the proposed concessions are promising as the two countries try to move toward peace.

“The documents are testimony that the Palestinians are willing to go the distance for peace: They will relinquish their claims on the Jewish neighborhoods in Jerusalem and the surrounding areas.”

Finally, German political magazine, Der Spiegel, reports that while the Palestinian leaders’ willingness to compromise is a promising sign, the government still has many obstacles to overcome if they want to achieve peace for the entire population.

“German media commentators say the leaked documents show the Palestinian leadership knows what compromises will be needed for peace in the Middle East, but its angry denials of the leaked documents demonstrate its failure to prepare the Palestinian people for concessions.”

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