Unesco entry and reconciliation mark Palestine 2011

Most major events in Palestine in 2011 Ramallah, Gaza – Sona Addeak/ Mohammad Habib The prisoners swap deal between Hamas and Israel, in addition to the progress on the reconciliation file and Palestine’s membership in UNESCO in 2011, all helped in placing the Palestinian issue at the top of the global political landscape, after its regression in previous years, while great attention was given to the Arab Spring revolutions.
Palestinian political analysts agreed, in a report broadcast by Egyptian news agency Asharq Al-Awsat through its correspondent in Gaza, that the Palestinian cause did not top the political landscape in 2011, due to the political developments and peoples’ revolution in Arab countries like Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, and Yemen, which still attract the biggest share of global attention.
2011 also witnessed the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who was detained by the Palestinian resistance for five years, since June 26 2006, a detention time incomparable to those who spend a lifetime in the prison of occupation, like Nael Barghouthy, who spent 34 years in detention.
Shalit cost Palestinians many victims and damage in wars waged by Israel on Gaza Strip by the end of 2008, however, he was also the reason Israel agreed to release Palestinian prisoners, who would have not been released if not through a prisoners exchange deal.  
The prisoners swap deal was signed in Cairo between Hamas and Israel, October 11 2011, requiring the release of 1027 Palestinian detainees in two phases, in return of Shalit’s release. Thus, while a press conference with Shalit was broadcast on Egyptian television, for the first time since his detention, October 18, 477 detainees were transferred through Rafah crossing for their release, followed by the release of 544 detainees in December 18, whose names were selected by Israel, to complete the Gilad Shalit swap deal.
Expert on Palestinian prisoners’ affairs, Abdel Nasser Farawna, considered the swap deal a national achievement and victory for the Palestinian people, and a victory for the resistance and the detaining factions as well, despite the reported reservations and criticisms.
Farawna said that he hoped the swap deal would have imposed all its conditions, and achieve what peaceful processes could not achieve, concerning the release of old prisoners and symbols of resistance. He considered dividing the deal into two phases, and giving Israel the right to determine the terms of the second phase, weakened the second phase, as it was carried out with accordance to strict Israeli criteria, with no mention of the number of detained children, women, and diseased, or those with high sentences. He stressed that the deal was below the level of expectations of the Palestinian people, particularly following the statements of Hamas leaders, which brought up the issue of the possible release of old or ill detainees.
Farawna stated that the deal was followed by serious Israeli escalation against the prisoners, as, according to him, Israel seeked revenge and has increased the number of prisoners in isolation, prevented families from visiting their sons.
With the release of Palestinian prisoners as part of the Shalit deal, Israel still holds 4400 Palestinians in detention, of which more than 130 are children, 6 are women, and 40 are physically or psychologically handicapped.
Palestinian political analyst Mostafa el-Sawaf believes that prisoners swap deal was one of the major events for Palestine in 2011, pointing out that another major event was the positive progress in the Palestinian reconciliation file, following the obstacles its implementation faced since signing it last May, and the meetings between Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas politburo chief Khalid Mesheal in Cairo.
Regarding the Palestinian-Israeli affairs in 2011, Sawaf said “there is a great setback in the direct negotiations with Israel, to the extent of failure,” as Israel continues to build illegal settlements amid “accelerating Judaization of Jerusalem.”
From his part, political analyst Hossam Edwan agreed that the prisoners swap deal and the positive steps taken by Fatah and Hamas in the reconciliation are among the most prominent events in the Palestinian affairs in 2011. He, however, added that the Palestine’s acquisition of full membership in UNESCO, October, is also one of the most prominent events this year, where UNESCO decided to accept the full membership of Palestine with a majority of votes; 107 voting for the membership, 14 voting against it, and 52 refrained from voting.
Edwan stated that such membership is important for Palestine on the global landscape, despite it being followed by direct US threats to stop funding the international organization, in addition to Israel confiscating Palestinian tax money. He noted that Abu Mazen’s insistence to go to the UN for the membership, despite the American and Israeli pressures, was also one of the major events in 2011.
“The Arab Spring revolutions and the changes that occurred in the region are closely relevant to the Palestinian affairs and did not overshadow them,” he added. However, with regard to the Palestinian-Israeli affairs in 2011, Edwan stated that this year did not witness any positive negotiations with Israel.
On a different level, in reference to the armed Palestinian resistance, the military wing of Palestinian Islamic Jihad, al-Quds Brigades, revealed a significant development in its military capabilities this year, which raised questions as to why the brigades announced such development. Al-Quds Brigades gave out a video recording of multiple rocket launchers carried on large vehicles, which is considered precedence in the history of Palestinian resistance, which usually launches rockets to Israel from ground bases. Al-Quds Brigades’ announcement followed the death of 9 of its leaders in Israeli air raids over Gaza Strip.
All these incidents and/or achievements coincided with chronic issues that Palestine carries from one year to another, particularly the issue of continued assassinations of members of the Palestinian resistance by Israel, which increased in 2011 and reached all factions, in addition to the expansion of settlements, Judaization, burning of mosques in the West Bank and the Jerusalem, and attacking Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Palestine enters 2012 with important pending files, which were not finalized in 2011, top of which are the reconciliation file, which, if implemented, is expected to change the nature of the situation in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, as it would include forming a new government ruling both regions instead of the current division.
The new year will also witness new legislative elections, scheduled for next May, promising change in the Palestinian political map, particularly among Fatah and Hamas. In addition, Gaza’s population of 1.8 million will embark on its sixth year of Israeli full siege, causing the Strip’s annual financial loss which ranges from 600 to 800 million dollars.