The recent Israeli offensive against Hamas which started on December 27, 2008 and lasted for full three weeks has, at least partially, stirred the conscience of the world. Yet it does not seem to awaken the world opinion to take concrete action to stop such atrocities in future. This Zionist atrocity resulted in the massacre of more than 1,300 Palestinians including more than 400 innocent children, more than 200 women and scores of non-combatants and countless civilians.
The Turkish Prime Minister, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan was quite correct when he said that Israelis are past master in killing people. Yes, they kill and rejoice over it. It is a long story since 1948 when the Zionist state was established with the active help of western imperialist powers whose game was about to end with the winds of freedom blowing across scores of their colonies. It was the culmination of the dream seen by Theodore Herzl who articulated his vision of a Jewish state in his Der Judenstaat (The Jewish State) published in 1896. It is also the realisation of the imperialists’ plan to keep Arabs under threat and permanent subjugation – the old wine of colonialism in the new bottle of Israeli domination. Israel’s continuous existence, as is evident from its war-mongering and expansionist policies, is a permanent source of conflict in West Asia.
The three-week offensive has increased the pain of freedom-loving citizens of the world. Especially the Muslim Ummah is feeling and sharing the pain of their Palestinian brothers. Israel, to them, appears as a dagger in the heart of the Muslim world, which from time to time is used to bleed them.
The blind US support to the Zionist state and its expansionist policies have aggravated the lethal power of Israeli atrocities. Israel neither wants to live in peace nor lets its neighbours live in peace. Wars and offensives are essential to keep its war machine going and its economy thriving.
It is very unfortunate that the strongest democracy and the biggest supporter of human rights, the US is solidly behind Israel because it acts as not only its ally but its agent also in the Arab world. American help and its arms are rushed to Israel whenever it needs them as we saw during the 33-day war on Hizbollah and the Lebanese.
It is a matter of great concern for us Indians that Israel, through the good offices of US administration and lobbying of Israeli lovers inside India, has become the largest supplier of arms to our country. Our hard earned money is being utilised to terrorise and kill Palestinians.
The world witnessed Camp David (1978-79) and Oslo Accord 1993 and there are continuous talks of other peace initiatives. But the reality is that peace is evasive because of Israeli policies. It will remain evasive unless Israel is ready to establish Independent Palestine State, give back Jerusalem and “Qibla Awwal” to the Muslim world and agree to allow return of Palestinian refugees to their motherland.
Radiance is pleased to publish this special issue on the Palestine problem, Palestinian history and related issues.