What started as Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 is turning into a full-blown war. Islam or any other religion does not sanction any attack on innocent people. Therefore, every sensible person will condemn it. At the same time the unproportionate response, bombardment and demolition of thousands of housing colonies and high-rise building blocks in North Gaza also must be condemned without any reservation. Especially the bombing of Al Ahli Baptist Hospital causing death of more than 500 persons who had taken refuge there also must be condemned.
Every life is precious. The divine exhortation should be always before us that to kill one soul is like killing the whole mankind, and saving an innocent life is equal to saving the whole mankind. This also should be remembered that wars don’t solve any problems; they create more complicated and lasting problems. What is the use of our claims of being the most experienced and most wise generation if we do not understand even this basic truth of human life and civilization.
The root cause of Israel-Palestine conflict is the attitude of the illegal state of Israel and its policies. The Oslo Accord of 1993 stipulated permission to original inhabitants of Palestine to return to their land of origin, and also creation of an independent state of Palestine. Israel never honored this accord and has almost rejected it.
Right from 1948 to the present times Israel has been expanding its occupied areas. It has been occupying the lands of Palestinians in West Bank, building new colonies, and jailing the inhabitants. More than 5000 Palestinians are behind bars as political prisoners. Al-Ibrahimi Mosque in Al-Khaleel City was occupied and half of it was given to Jewish population. Regular prayers in Masjid Al Aqsa have been made very difficult for the Palestinians. Besides all these illegal activities, which are against the international law, the greatest atrocities are being committed in Gaza Strip. That is why it is being called an open-air jail for 23 lakh Palestinians. These people have no access to outside world.
It is strange that the US, which claims to be the champion of liberty and the greatest protector of democracy and human rights is solidly behind these crimes. It wants to fully protect its proxy and agent Israel in the Middle East. The US has brought two of its most powerful naval fleets on the shores of Israel in the Mediterranean Sea. It has assured Israel that it would protect it against any danger and help it in every (un)just act.
US president Joe Biden visited Israel and after a warn embrace gave a pat to Netanyahu as if he were congratulating him on his atrocities. Similar policies have been adopted by the UK, France, Germany and several other western countries.
The above policies are increasing the problems of the whole world. The world has failed to recover after the Covid-19 shock. Russia started a war against Ukraine and now the US and allies are supporting the jingoism of Israel. This has made the economic recovery more difficult. These conflicts are bound to affect the quality of life and security and wellbeing of mankind.
The UNO is unable to play its part to stop war and promote peace. If the big powers do not act judiciously to end the war, the powers of the world will get more complicated and the whole mankind will suffer. The intellectuals and visionaries of the world should pressurize the leaders of the world against the war mongering.