Palestian Statehood

Sept,23, 2011, will become a memorable day in history books as President Abbas sends in his proposal to seek UN membership of the Palestinian state. Though the eventuality to be vetoed by the US is quite certain yet the Palestinians have not stopped striving to seek independence. Moreover, it seems to gain not only momentum but strength as the US and Israel’s covert aims unfold. It is a shame when it comes to US policy pertaining to the Israel-Palestine conflict and even worse is the blatant show of unwarranted support towards Israel.
Israel has been at loggerheads with many states, Turkey being the latest, yet there seems to be little reprimand from its ally, the US. Parables can be drawn with two similar recent events in history; the accession of East Timor as a UN member on 27th Sept, 2002 and South Sudan on 14th July, 2011. Both newly born states had been victims of atrocities, violence and forceful occupation of lands by the larger and stronger entity.
The striking feature of these historic events was the active participation and solution-oriented resolutions by the United Nations and the effective interference of the US and other Western nations which made possible the creation of these states.
Had the UN and its driver US been equally result-oriented towards the Israel-Palestinian conflict we would have had an end to the conflict long ago. The partisan politics practiced by the US has instead aggravated the conflict. The Palestinian President is hoping to seek nine votes in favour of his plea, which even though eventually vetoed, will aid their drive in the General Assembly.

***************************************************************************************

This blog featured in KT Letters to the Editor, 22nd Sept, 2011

Justice Done

“Justice has been done”: these were the words that personified the US’s achievement in the war on terror with the killing of Osama bin Laden. Justice — with regards to avenging the deaths of nearly 3,000 people that were killed in the 9/11 attack. The entire world was shell shocked at seeing the epitome of US business and glory crumble down into dust. The entire US nation had mourned for their beloved ones for nearly a decade and finally they were served with JUSTICE — they sought their REVENGE.

But has the killing of Osama brought about any feeling of content or satisfaction among the bereaved? How has killing him redeemed the many who had lost their loved ones in such a dreadful attack? This is surely hard to answer.

However, perceiving the celebrations that erupted soon after President Obama’s announcement, there did seem a heightened sense of satisfaction and relief.

Bin Laden had wronged in killing the thousands of innocent people, not only in the US but the world over. His ideology of seeking ‘blood for blood’ was inhumane and outrageous. He justified his acts saying they were instigated as a result of the US policies, in particular Palestine. However, he voiced his concerns in a very different perspective and in an unusual way, to say the least. Probably because he realised that there were not many listeners and so he had to do something out of the ordinary to grab everyone’s attention. He thus transformed into one of the most feared terrorist in the world.

The US should have tried to capture Osama and put him on trial, just like they did with Saddam. Instead of shooting him in the head, they could have shot him in the arm or the leg or even immobilize him using one of their ingeniously created weapons.

Putting him on trail in a US court would certainly not have resulted in capital punishment. However, many elusive facts could have been revealed and even more conspiracy theories would have generated. I feel that the US feared losing Osama more than capturing him and putting him on trial.

Nevertheless, though there is a feeling of respite and relief among many who suffered at the hands of Osama, Martin Luther King Jr. said it best:

“I will mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that”.

Stalled Mid East Talks

The Middle East peace talks have stalled, yet again. The Obama administration has blatantly accepted its failure in continuing the peace efforts it started twenty months back. It does not surprise since it was only a matter of time that another deadlock to the peace efforts came into place.

The Israeli government is hell bent on colonizing the shrinking patches of land left to the Palestinians, paying no heed to the international calls, and uses its military brute force to contain any resistance.

The US has been unable to counter it, either willingly or unwillingly. Will the US be able to crack the nut and restart a fresh series of talks? Will it be able to drag both parties to agree on common ground? The answers to such questions remain skeptical.
The Obama administration’s inability to contain the Israeli demographic clock - that had been waiting to start ticking - is yet another glimpse of ingrained bias in US politics, which remains the prime factor in discontinuing the peace process. The unwarranted political support towards Israel and US media that tends to be more pro-Israeli than pro-Arab makes it highly unlikely that US will ever be seen as an even-handed peace broker. Moreover, the plights of the 1.3 million Palestinians who are left in a virtual prison in the Gaza strip have been ignored in every aspect making matters even worse. Their refusal to negotiate with a democratically elected Palestinian government (Hamas - which was elected in the 2006 elections prompted by the US but later rejected it when it did not like the results) makes the peace efforts look half-hearted and half dealt. Though it is not hard to estimate the difficulty of the task Obama has in hand, one feels the US is trying to merely tackle the issue for the moment. Whether they succeed in developing yet another temporary solution or a lasting one remains to be seen. However, the current motives do not predict any changes in the Middle East peace process.

*********************************************************************************

The above blog appeared in Khaleej Times Letters to the Editor on 18th Dec, 2010

The Israel Lobby

The US on Thursday (10th June, 2010) issued a statement that is has deep and binding interest in Israel security, confirming yet again their undaunting and unwarranted support for Israel. Their clandestine approach in denouncing the inhumane act by the Israeli forces on board the Gaza flotilla earlier this month is an outright show of the authority and influence of ‘The Israeli Lobby’ that exists as strong as ever within the United States and governs not only the state itself but practically dictates its foreign policies, especially Middle East.

One might assume that the unwavering support for Israel is based on mutual strategic interests; instead it is an imperative derivative of the powerful functioning of the Israeli Lobby (such as AIPAC), which actively steer the US foreign policy in favor of Israel. Covertly commanding almost every institution from Newspapers, News Channels, and Educational material in universities and colleges to top ranking officials in Congress and even in Capitol Hill, this coalition of individuals and organization has embossed on the US minds that their security is heavily dependent on the political and economic support to Israel’s existence.

Also, it has shaped the idea that both the countries are facing a common terror threat, and thus their mutual collaboration against that common enemy in ever imminent in countering it. This claim has the casual relationship backwards. The US has a terrorism problem in good part owing to its support for Israel and not the other way round. Though it is not the only source of anti-American sentiments across the globe, it is yet an important one and many terror organizations are motivated with Israel’s presence in Palestine and the US’s inability to resolutely condemn Israel, as it does for any other country.

Rest assured, the terrorist organizations that threaten Israel do not threaten US except when in intervenes against them. Moreover, the so-called Palestinian terrorism or Hamas activities are random violence directed against Israel or West; it is largely a response to Israel’s prolonged campaign to colonize the West Bank and Gaza strip, who believe that they have no other way to force Israeli concessions.

The US must realize that its uncalled support for Israel would not only jeopardize its own security but that much of the rest of the world. In order for it to portray itself as a true world power and leader it has to shun away such influences among its quarters and develop a prospective that is just and unbiased.

Obama's Challenge

It certainly is worthy of praise the efforts that President Obama has set forth for the reconciliation of the Middle East peace process. Though at one point in time the efforts were meagerly comprised of words and promises, it is commendable that those words have taken shape given the hefty Pro-Jewish American ideology. President Obama is to be applauded for identifying the Israeli-Palestinian dispute as a key foreign policy priority and his stepped up efforts.

Nonetheless, as rightly identified, the mammoth task of comprising and settling the debate for ‘settlement freeze’ is the first and the primary head stone in the peace reviving efforts. Both, Netenyahu and Abbas, have concreted a stern stance on their objectives and persuading the men to sit in the same room constitutes a kind of breakthrough.
It is evident that this time round President Obama has sided with the Palestinians; favoring their stance on settlement freeze, and views it essential for the peace process to advance. This is where the challenge steps in. He has already made glimpses for his support towards the Palestinians and promised to ‘… make right the wrongs’ and issued blunt warnings to Jerusalem to halt its illegal settlement activity in the occupied West Bank (land designated for the Palestinians by the UN Charter) saying “…(it) undermines efforts to achieve peace”. Provided the strong and fortified Israeli lobby within the US administration, his going might get tougher as he might not only receive criticism from within but also from the European allies of Israel.

The question for Obama is how long he can go without having something tangible to show for his engagement. Arab states have balked at making gestures of normalisation towards Israel as long as there is no movement on the settlement front - an issue of enormous symbolic significance that is seen as a test of Israel's good intentions.

Gaza Carnage and why Israel attacked Gaza

As I sat on my lazy-chair, straight resting crossed legs, I could only frown my eye brows in discomfort, squinted my eyes in disgust and wept in agony when I saw the grotesque images of the savagery unleashed on Gaza.
Cease-fire agreements fail to be reached consistently under the notion “…Israel has the right to defend itself”
A narrow strip, measuring 10 km by 45 km, has been locked out from all sides and turned virtually into a prison.
As the images of racing ambulances, crying children, screaming women, blood-drenched corpses flashed on the TV, I was coincidently struck with the question: WHY?
If one was to answer that question quoting Tzipi Livni, ”we want to liquate Hamas and its rocket attacks”, it would advisable for to remain silent and be thought a fool then to speak out and remove all doubt.
Or if one accords with the GW Bush, “I understand Israel’s desire to protect itself. The situation now taking place in Gaza was caused by Hamas”, it would be surprising how every fool finds a better one to admire them.
Out of the many genuine reasons, the one that promptly adheres to mind is the nearing election season in Israel and the dampening poll rating of the ruling Labor Party. It is surprisingly evident, that though the Israelites are not very much content with the present government body, the best way for Mr. Ehud Olmert to regain their support was to eliminate the single greatest threat to the country and erase Palestine!
Another thoughtful reason is the timing. The new US government has sought to bring about ‘Change’, effectively in the US policies in Middle East. Israel, while still time and US permitting them, waged the greatest onslaught on Gaza in history.
Lastly, and the most defining reason, is the continued hind-sightedness and ignorance of the current Middle East leaders to the illegal occupation of Israel on the Palestinian land. Had there been a collective and positive effort in the past, the US would not have been able to create Israel into such a monster that is currently haunting the entire region. And it is a fact very much acknowledges by these leaders, yet they refuse to indulge themselves into cooperative society that could avert such crisis.
Now, at best, all we could do is remorse within ourselves and sympathize with our fellow brothers and sisters there. May God Help them.

The Gaza Tragedy - Time to Speak Up!!

Mr. Ehud Barak’s address to the parliament affirmed Israel’s intention for the Invasion of Gaza strip as the continued air strikes drew a horrible blood-bath leaving the International Community in tears and zipped mouths. . In wake of hitting critical Hamas targets, Israel has flattened schools and government buildings, refugee camps, University Buildings killing women and children remorselessly to salvage and protect their territory from Hamas rockets. Almost the entire Arab & Muslim world seems as silent as the grave and have turned away their eyes from the terrorizing onslaught and massacre of the innocent Palestinians.
The tally of the death nearing 400 and almost 1500 injured requiring immediate medical attention in hospitals that are almost incapable of functioning and those facilities are now bleeding every resource available owing to the Israeli sanctions. Israel have taken up a strategy what the world refers to as ‘Terrorism’ – instilling fear for an ideological goal and deliberately targeting, and disregarding the safety, of non combatants. This is as much an act of terror as a suicide bomber rips apart a market place.
It is the sole responsibility of our Arab and Muslim leaders to join hands and voice as one a common stand against such carnage. These concerns can no better be addressed to the world powers, who blindly support not only the Israeli occupation but also approve of the onslaught by stating that: "Israel has the right to defend itself", by our current Muslim leaders, especially the Arab League as they hold with them the Key to driving their economies. Not as a threat rather a stern warning.
It is also vital for the Muslim world to realized that if Israel could hamper the UN resolutions and care less about the International Criminal Laws and deem the Invasion of Gaza as its right, it could very well breach their borders to further secure itself from potential threats; since Israel has vividly indicated that "... it is in continuous threat from its neighbors"
This is the time for the Muslim Leaders to set side their differences and stand united against a common cause, for their fellow brothers and sisters, for humanity and for themselves. Help yourself, Help your brothers and sister, Help Gaza - if is after all a part of us.