Sultan Abu Al-Einein, Leader of Fatah in Lebanon: Return of Refugees to Israel Not Realistic; If Palestinians Continue to Say "No" to Everything, There Will Not Be a Solution in 500 Years

Following are excerpts from a TV debate with Sultan Abu Al-Einein, the leader of Fatah in Lebanon, which aired on Future News TV on July 11, 2009.

Interviewer: What about the Right of Return? Ever since the negotiations between Yasser Abd Rabbo and Beilin, the PA has been accused of giving up the Right of Return in exchange for compensation and resettlement.

Sultan Abu Al-Einein: Unfortunately, we in Fatah believe – as does Abu Mazen – that there is no place for Palestine on the map of the lands occupied in 1967, unless our people, the refugees, constitute a principal part [of the solution], through the Right of Return.

Ahmad Abd Al-Hadi, Hamas official in Lebanon: Return to where, Abu Riyadh?

Sultan Abu Al-Einein: Do you think that the seven million Palestinians can return to Upper Galilee and Western Galilee?

Ahmad Abd Al-Hadi: Does Abu Mazen agree with what you are saying?

Sultan Abu Al-Einein: Who?

Ahmad Abd Al-Hadi: Abu Mazen.

Sultan Abu Al-Einein: Do you believe that there can be a final political solution... We must be courageous and honest. Can Israel possibly agree to have seven million Palestinians return to the lands from which they were driven out in 1948, and to have the Knesset [fall] in the hands of the Palestinian people?! We must be realistic. If we continue to say “no,” we will wait 500 years, because no solution will be convincing. For once, we should be courageous and face our people bravely and honestly.