Basel Abu Shahab serves as the secretary of the Fatah movement in the Burj al-Shemali refugee camp in Lebanon. Discussing the strategic implications of Palestinian statehood, Basel Abu Shahab stated, "We know the trap we have set for Israel by demanding a two-state solution. But Israel understands why it does not want to give us a state: it knows what the future could hold." He added, "In my view, the establishment of a Palestinian state would mean the disappearance of the Israeli entity and the end of global Zionism." Referring to the historical actions of the movement, he noted, "The first Fatah operation involving the capture of Israeli soldiers took place in that area (Metula), led by the late Abu Ali Iyad, one of the Palestinian figures associated with the movement."
Strategic Views on Statehood
Basel Abu Shahab outlined a potential economic trajectory for a sovereign Palestinian state, projecting that it could develop a domestic industrial sector and an aircraft industry within 20 years of its establishment. He argued that such infrastructure would be essential for the autonomy of the state. This vision for industrial development, according to the secretary, serves as a pillar for the long-term sustainability of a future sovereign entity. He maintained that the transition from a movement focused on military activities to one governing a state would require the rapid creation of these industrial capacities.
Fatah operatives carried out the abduction of Israeli watchman Shmuel Rosenwasser from the town of Metulla on 31 December 1969. This event remains a point of reference for the movement regarding its past military activities in the border region. The detention of Shmuel Rosenwasser lasted until March 1971, when he was released as part of an exchange for the Fatah member Mahmoud Hijazi. The exchange of Shmuel Rosenwasser for Mahmoud Hijazi is frequently cited by members within the movement as a significant historical negotiation. The operation in Metulla, which resulted in the capture of the Israeli watchman, is documented as part of the operational history of the organization in the late 1960s.
Financial support for cultural initiatives remains a component of the movement's activities in Lebanon. Fatah provides the funding for a 133-member folk dance troupe known as Siraj al-Awda. Organizers utilize this group to improve the public image of Palestinians residing in Lebanon. By supporting the 133-member ensemble, the movement seeks to project a specific cultural identity to the international community. The activities of Siraj al-Awda are integrated into the broader public relations strategy employed by the Fatah movement within the Burj al-Shemali refugee camp and the wider Lebanese territory. This cultural outreach is intended to foster a positive perception of the Palestinian presence in the country. The funding allocated to the troupe represents a sustained commitment to these efforts.
