For the attention of the EU representative, Sven Kun von Burgsdorff

Here in Palestine, we live with many diplomats. The intensity of presence and absence is reflected in the back-and-forth diplomacy. As a professor specializing in the field of diplomacy, I have been teaching the course of diplomacy between theory and practice for graduate students for several years. We present theories, base them on practical experiences, host diplomats and realize that diplomatic work needs competencies committed to the humanitarian aspects and human rights and legal knowledge. Diplomacy suffers from a large gap between theory and practice, as the foundations and principles of diplomacy are based on international law and human values, and this is what collides with the pragmatic reality that offers interest and the principles of power without paying attention to any virtues.

It is natural for the Palestinian citizen to resent the diplomatic work and its representatives. What we are witnessing in terms of injustice, crimes and oppression under the Israeli occupation is enough to lose hope in a just world that suffices with singing about human rights, sustainable development goals and international legitimacy without any accountability for criminals.

Today's article is a testament to the representative of the European Union, Sven Kun von Burgsdorff, who is leaving Palestine this month. Seven was distinguished from the rest of the diplomats in particular, as he is very committed, intelligent, and an honest person in the first place. After more than three decades as a diplomat in the European Union, this diplomat gave us several lessons, the most important of which is that nothing is more noble, and nothing is more dignified than service and loyalty to the principles Peace, respect for human rights, telling the truth, promoting democracy, the rule of international law, and economic prosperity to achieve the dream of peace.

German philosopher Immanuel Kant taught us more than 200 years ago that democracies do not fight each other. Hence, and for the sake of peace, democracies must stand together, and this is a message to global systems that praise democracy!
Seven worked with dedication to win the hearts and minds of the people of Gaza and the West Bank by defending their rights, especially those who suffer from poverty, injustice and oppression. Seven set a pioneering example of official and public diplomacy, making communication with people a battlefield, as he intensified his presence on the ground, which was reflected on social media. He was the most involved in the battle of novels, as the thinker Joseph Nye says, "The winner today is not the winner in battles and battlefields. Today, the winner is the one whose novel reaches the hearts and minds of people."

Sven embodied an example of a successful diplomat who would tell the truth to the authorities dependent on him without offending them, but at the same time tell the truth to his authorities in his home country at the risk of sometimes upsetting them. This is what diplomats like Sven suffer from in double-standard democracies.

Sven was not the traditional diplomat who fit the classic description of a diplomat who says yes when he means maybe, says maybe when he means no, and when he says no he is not a diplomat. Safin is like the diplomat in charge of implementing the policies and decisions of the party he represents, so he painted a beautiful and civilized picture of the European Union. He tried repeatedly to direct the union by influencing the capital, Brussels, and led the countries of the union together. He provided feedback and periodic reports on the reality of the occupation and the unjust reality, hoping to influence decisions and make policies that are in line with Justice and human rights that the European Union praises. Seven artfully blends the pessimism of the mind with the optimism of the will. He has found the right balance in a reality that is far from civilized in the 21st century because of the long-term Israeli occupation.

In this neoliberal world that revolves around international interests and hypocrisy and raises doubts about the role and concept of diplomacy, I am writing this article to say to the representative of the European Union who ends his duties this month that he has spread hope and inspired us to be realistic, steadfast and steadfast on the ground and never lose hope in diplomatic work .

Let me conclude by quoting Seven weeks ago, inspired by Martin Luther King, as a reminder of what diplomats assigned to Palestine should strive for, as he gave every diplomat's advice to "Make a humane career, commit yourself to the noble struggle for equal rights, make a better person." than yourself, a greater nation in your country, and a superior world to live in.”
In my name and on behalf of everyone who knew Sven from the public and private sectors, from the Gaza Strip to Jerusalem, Jenin, Hawara, Sinjil, to every city and camp, I say: Thank you, Sven, you will always be present as a model and a living example of a true diplomat who lives reality, looks forward to the future, and sows hope without any surrender.

- Dalal Erekat: Professor of Diplomacy and Strategic Planning, Faculty of Graduate Studies, Arab American University.