VOA标准英语2011--Senior Palestinian Predicts Violence if

Senior Palestinian Predicts Violence if Statehood Blocked at UN

A senior member of the Palestine Liberation Organization - Hanan Ashrawi - says the Arab Spring events of the past few months have had a major impact on the Middle East, including the reconciliation¹ of the rival Palestinian groups, Fatah and Hamas. But, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the U.S. Congress earlier this week that Israel will never talk peace with the Palestinians as long Hamas plays a leading role.
Political violence in Yemen. NATO airstrikes in Libya. Millions promised by the world's industrial giants for democratic change in the Middle East. All are elements of what's called the Arab Spring.
But there are no signs of spring between Israelis and Palestinians.
"Israel will not negotiate with a Palestinian government, backed by a Palestinian version of al-Qaida," said Netanyahu. He stressed to Congress there can be no peace talks if the militant² Hamas group is part of the Palestinian leadership.
Yet that is what is needed, said Ashrawi, a senior member of the Palestine Liberation Organization. She said Palestinian unity³ demands that all groups be embraced in the government.
"Hamas belongs within this democratic pluralistic system, not as a substitute for it, or a replacement⁴ or an alternative," she said.
But any Hamas role is unacceptable to Israel. Jonathan Peled, spokesman for the Israeli embassy, said "Israel cannot be expected to sit down and negotiate with an organization that calls for its destruction."
In September, the United Nations General Assembly will consider a proposal to recognize Palestinian statehood. Ashrawi said that will lead to membership and its benefits within the international community.
"It means you get access - you have access to all the judicial⁵ accountability you need within the U.N. [United Nations] system," she said. "And then, you have the recognition that you do have boundaries."
Peled predicts the U.S. and other countries won't allow it. "To go through the United Nations for recognition, is not the correct path. I think that is the strongest message that is coming out of this last week's visit."
That, Ashrawi said, would be a mistake. "If you block us from the U.N., from getting accountability from Israel, from trying to get protection for Palestinians, by peaceful means, by non-violent means, then it seems to me you leave us with the option of violence, as the only thing that works."
If so, the Arab Spring holds little promise of thaw⁶ between Israelis and Palestinians.

1 reconciliation   

n.和解，和谐，一致

参考例句：

• He was taken up with the reconciliation of husband and wife.他忙于做夫妻间的调解工作。
• Their handshake appeared to be a gesture of reconciliation.他们的握手似乎是和解的表示。

2 militant   

adj.激进的，好斗的；n.激进分子，斗士

参考例句：

• Some militant leaders want to merge with white radicals.一些好斗的领导人要和白人中的激进派联合。
• He is a militant in the movement.他在那次运动中是个激进人物。

3 unity   

n.团结，联合，统一；和睦，协调

参考例句：

• When we speak of unity,we do not mean unprincipled peace.所谓团结，并非一团和气。
• We must strengthen our unity in the face of powerful enemies.大敌当前，我们必须加强团结。

4 replacement   

n.取代，替换，交换；替代品，代用品

参考例句：

• We are hard put to find a replacement for our assistant.我们很难找到一个人来代替我们的助手。
• They put all the students through the replacement examination.他们让所有的学生参加分班考试。

5 judicial   

adj.司法的，法庭的，审判的，明断的，公正的

参考例句：

• He is a man with a judicial mind.他是个公正的人。
• Tom takes judicial proceedings against his father.汤姆对他的父亲正式提出诉讼。

6 thaw   

v.（使）融化，（使）变得友善；n.融化，缓和

参考例句：

• The snow is beginning to thaw.雪已开始融化。
• The spring thaw caused heavy flooding.春天解冻引起了洪水泛滥。