by Itamar Marcus and Nan Jacques Zilberdik
The Palestinian Authority and Fatah continue to present to Palestinian Authority citizens an image of a world without Israel, using a map that erases Israel and replaces it with “Palestine.” This continues despite the PA and Fatah’s numerous assurances to American and European leaders that they recognize Israel and support a two-state solution.
An official announcement on the Facebook page of the PA government included the image of hands raising a Palestinian flag, beside the PA map of “Palestine” that presents all of Israel and the PA areas as “Palestine.” The image is part of the PA Government’s announcement of the 2017 general population census of the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics. [Facebook page of the PA Government, Nov. 13, 2017]
An official PA TV program ‘I’m Palestinian’ displays a logo in the shape of the PA map of “Palestine” that erases all of Israel, and on it the words “I’m Palestinian.”
Fatah also uses a map of “Palestine,” wrapped in the Palestinian flag, symbolizing Palestinian sovereignty over the entire area, including over the State of Israel.
The image posted on the official Fatah Facebook page was accompanied with the text: “The Palestinian [Hamas-Fatah] reconciliation.” The PA map of “Palestine” had an elongated Palestinian flag wrapped around it. Clasped hands on the map symbolize Palestinian unity and the Fatah-Hamas reconciliation. The Dome of the Rock appeared behind the map. [Official Fatah Facebook page, Nov. 13, 2017]
Palestinian Media Watch has exposed hundreds of such maps, being used in official PA and Fatah contexts, such as in ministerial offices, at official events, and as gifts to foreign officials and others visiting the PA.