Hanan Ashrawi, a member of the PLO Executive Committee in the West Bank reflects on the effects of the attacks of September 11, 2001, on the United States, in an interview with Al Jazeera.
"My clearest memory is one of shock and disbelief. Unfortunately the world changed in terms of the simplistic polarization the devils and angels, with or against us... So in a sense, Palestinians paid a tremendous price because we were painted into the corner of devils not angels, we were immediately judged in a very racist way, as though we were guilty by association. Israel succeed in linking Palestinian to this type of violence and in reversing the situation; Israel as an occupying power was seen as a victim and Palestinians - as victims under occupation - were seen as culprits."
