Nadia Hijab: Palestinian Titanic

Recently, the French corporation Veolia decided to pull out of the light rail project that connects Jerusalem to the illegal Israeli settlements -- a major victory for the Europe-wide boycott effort that was estimated to have cost the company $7 billion. Over in Australia, Melbourne decided not to renew the metro management contract of Veolia's company Connex, the target of a sister boycott campaign.

Jews continue to be among the most active boycotters. For example, the Yes Men, who use humor and subterfuge to spotlight corporate excesses, just withdrew from the Jerusalem Film Festival. In a powerful open letter, they said their decision was not easy given their Jewish roots. Then they cited the many human rights violations of Israel's occupation and declared, "Our film mustn't help lend an aura of normalcy to a state that makes these decisions. For us, that's the bottom line."

Fatah and Hamas should rejoin ranks on the basis of a different political program and skillfully use the many sources of strength available to the Palestinians. Otherwise they will be reduced to rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic while their ship of state rapidly sinks.

Nadia Hijab is a senior fellow at the Institute for Palestine Studies.