The Haj - Leon Uris [203]
‘Depending on the outcome in Zurich,’ Ibrahim said.
‘Such is life. Even now, within hours, some of them are volunteering information ... on the reasonable provision that they will inform on the others if we drop the charges against them.’
Zyyad’s maneuver was clear. What to do? Bellow and roar? Make it clear there would be massive uprisings? Or calm down and listen? Zyyad wanted something. He would find out.
‘You have my absolute attention,’ Ibrahim said.
‘Good,’ Zyyad responded with the slightest glimmer of a smile. He zipped open a pack of cigarettes, offered Ibrahim one, and lit both of them.
‘You recall our conversation in Nablus, Haj?’
‘In detail.’
‘Then you recall that I confided in you at that time that His Majesty Abdullah is not your typical Islamic fanatic on the matter of the Jews. He entered the war, largely against his will, for the sake of Arab unity. All of his recent utterances against the Jews are mostly for public consumption and to let the world know that the Arab leaders have a solid front. Can you go along with me on this point?’
‘Let us say that for the moment I accept your statement.’
‘Good. So we can understand each other’s situation. We find no great pleasure in having you remain in the camps. We have done more than any other Arab state. We offered immediate citizenship, freedom of movement, jobs, government offices.’
‘And suppression,’ Ibrahim said.
‘Yes, of course suppression,’ Zyyad agreed. ‘We cannot entertain the anarchy of upward of a half-million people running loose like an unchecked flash flood.’
‘We have rights,’ Ibrahim said.
‘Certainly you do. Whatever the king grants you.’
‘You are not happy that we did not fall on our knees and look upon Abdullah as our savior,’ Ibrahim shot back.
‘Frankly, we don’t care at this stage. Nor do we care for your rights. We have gotten what we want from the Palestinians. The rest of you will come along when faced with the realities. Let me speak to you with the candor for which you are famous. In our analysis we feel that the Palestinians do not have the fire of rebellion in their guts. You and your brothers are amazingly easy to control and you have never amounted to a damn as fighters. We do not think you are going to change more than thirteen centuries of history.’
Ibrahim held his temper. ‘We have never been locked up like this. What you see happening with these young boys, the Leopards and the Sharks, is only a forewarning that this next generation of Palestinians may be of a different ilk. After all, Colonel Zyyad, we all once believed that the Jews were a passive lot, easy to trample upon. Generations do change. I think it is a lesson you had better heed.’
‘We don’t intend to let these boys run wild. We will put nice uniforms on them and channel their misplaced energies into hatred of the Jews and convert it into disciplined guerrilla action against the Jews. It will supply further proof to our Arab brothers that we are in the fight with them, no? As for the vast majority of Palestinians, I believe they are disposed to sit in these camps and rot forever. They have no spirit and less dignity. They are weepers and beggars.’
Ibrahim rose from his seat and leaned forward on Zyyad’s desk, coiled to strike, but words did not come. He blinked and slowly sank back down. It was horrible to hear such truths. That was why they were never spoken.
‘Good,’ Zyyad said. ‘We recognize a chronic condition.’
‘I hear your words,’ Ibrahim rasped.
‘Why must we continue as enemies? When we narrow our goals down, you will see there are ways to resolve our differences. No, I am not going to try to bribe you. I learned in Nablus that does not work. You are a man of principle. So rare. I have a reasonable offer.’
‘I have reasonable ears,’ Ibrahim said.
‘Good, Allah is blessing this meeting.’ Zyyad opened his bottom drawer and produced his omnipresent bottle of Scotch and offered Ibrahim a drink.