Zuheir Mohsen was a Palestinian political figure and military leader. He was a prominent member of the Palestinian political organization Fatah and was involved in the Palestinian struggle for independence. Mohsen was known for his influential role within Fatah during the 1970s. He advocated for armed resistance against Israel and was a proponent of the idea of a Palestinian state encompassing the entirety of Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip. Mohsen’s views and actions reflected a more militant stance within the Palestinian movement during that era.
Zuheir Mohsen Quotes
1. “Yes, the existence of a separate Palestinian identity exists only for tactical reasons. The establishment of a Palestinian state is a new tool to continue the fight against Israel and for Arab unity.”
— Zuheir Mohsen
2. “The Palestinian people do not exist. The creation of a Palestinian state is only a means for continuing our struggle against the state of Israel for our Arab unity. In reality today there is no difference between Jordanians, Palestinians, Syrians, and Lebanese. Only for political and tactical reasons do we speak today about the existence of a Palestinian people, since Arab national interests demand that we posit the existence of a distinct ‘Palestinian people’ to oppose Zionism.”
— Zuheir Mohsen
3. “They are going to leave [Gaza], not because this is a gift from Israel. This is because they failed to confront our people, so don’t describe their withdrawal from here…as a gift for the Palestinians. This is because they are defeated here. HAMAS will never recognize the existence of a Jewish State in the region.”
— Zuheir Mohsen
4. “Two years ago, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon described the Gaza Strip settlement of Netzarim as a vital part of Israel’s national security and now he is going to leave. That is because of the ‘effective armed struggle’.”
— Zuheir Mohsen
5. “We must distinguish between the strategic aim and the political aim. The Palestinian people’s ultimate aim is the liberation of all Palestine from the [Jordan] river to the [Mediterranean] sea.”
— Zuheir Mohsen
6. “There are 5 million Palestinians; we are only 2 percent of the Arab population. But within 10 years, there will be 8 million Palestinians. Why should only a tiny minority fight in order to achieve our historic rights? We must be strong, active, and united so as to be able to liberate Palestine.”
— Zuheir Mohsen
