DR. S. AUSAF SAIED VASFI delves deep into the Palestine imbroglio and calls upon the world Muslim leadership to make a joint international effort to free East Jerusalem from adverse possession.
Before briefly discussing the hurdles in the UN recognition of Palestine as a sovereign and independent state, let us ask a simple question: Is Palestine the problem of the Palestinians alone, or the Arabs alone, or that of the world Muslims, the one-fifth of mankind? And, above all, is it the problem of merely a chunk of territory?
Without giving a firm, confident and constructive reply to the key question, no real and lasting solution of the knotty problem is possible. The ‘democratic monarchs’, the ‘liberty-loving kings’ and ‘freedom-adoring emperors’ of the West have, during the last 63 years, successfully blurred the question in the eyes of the world Muslims. The vile, abominable strategy has worked to the utter satisfaction of the neo-colonialists, who unilaterally,usually at will destroy the governments established by law, change leaderships in foreign countries just because the dissenting leaders had the cheek and temerity to stand up to the tyrants’ expansionist policies.
Except Mr. Barack Obama and Mr. Netanyahu, each and every level-headed person the world over appears to be for the UN seat for Palestine.
BBC SURVEY
The BBC, not long ago, conducted a survey in 19 countries, in which 20,446 eminent personages were interviewed. Their response was and is really eye-opening, not for us but for the purblind US and Israel. The poll revealed that 49 per cent of the respondents supported the recognition. Fewer than 21 per cent wanted their governments to oppose the move.
To quote Mr. AtulAneja (The Hindu, Sep 28): The shift in public opinion was particularly striking in Britain, France, Germany and the US. In the US 65 per cent of the respondents backed recognition while 36 per cent stood opposed. In France, it was around 54 per cent versus 20 per cent. Germany and Britain also did not back the trend. In both countries, 53 per cent of the respondents were for recognition. These astonishing statistics go to show that Israeli hubris notwithstanding, the Palestinians on a global scale have generally begun to win the battle of hearts and minds. Several factors have gone into reshaping the world’s perception of the situation in the Palestinian territories. Israel’s insistence on establishing a ‘security fence’ which has divided Palestinian villages into ‘Bantustans’ – a reminder of a despicable practice that was once adopted by Apartheid South Africa – has got a particularly dim reception. Israel’s contention that the threat of terrorism forced it to adopt such extremist measures has not been convincing enough, either. The offensive in Lebanon in 2006 followed three years later by the horrible attack on Gaza – showing with telling effect to a worldwide audience by satellite channels like Al Jazeera, may also have tilted the scales of public opinion against Israel. Finally, the right wing government headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seemed to have lost the international public relations battle when Israeli commandos were ordered to attack ‘Mavi Marmara’, a ship ferrying humanitarian supplies for the besieged people of Gaza. This assault, which killed nine Turkish activists and opened a riveting diplomatic war between Tel Aviv and Ankara appears to have struck a chord helping rally worldwide support for the unhappy people in the Israeli occupied territories of Gaza, West Bank and East Jerusalem.
INDIAN STAND
Three cheers for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who showed gumption in the UN General Assembly to hold a mirror to the authors of Pax-Americana.Respecting sovereignty and integrity is a must in world affairs, he said and added: Absence of rule of law and democracy cannot be a pretext to violate sovereignty of the countries.
Before proceeding further, let us ruefully recall what the late Mr. Yasser Arafat said in the General Assembly in 1974. Reminding the world nations of the inviolable national right of the Palestinians, the PLO chief made a passionate plea: “Do not let the olive branch fall from my hands.”
Mr. Mahmoud Abbas, on Sep 23, announced amidst applause the Palestinian bid to become the 194th member country of the international body: “I do not believe anyone with a shred of conscience can reject our application for full admission to the United Nations.”
As the matters stand, Brazil, China, Lebanon, South Africa and Russia are expected to remain in the Palestinian camp while the US will vote against the position of the five European members and Columbia, Gabon and Nigeria. But the real picture would appear only after voting.
PROBABLE SCENARIO
The situation is depressing today. But tomorrow it might be different. The probable scenario might be abrogation of the Camp David Agreement by Egypt. Love is no more lost between Cairo and Tel Aviv. With the passage of time, anti-Palestine violence in Gaza and West Bank might further dent the American image. It might diminish the US stature and influence in the West Asian region. Add to it the fact that relations between Turkey, a NATO ally, and Israel have deteriorated. Far from becoming the lackeys of the US, Turkey as well as Egypt might have a second look at their foreign policy. To quote Lee Mayers: Crises like the expulsion of Israel’s ambassador in Turkey, the storming of the Israeli embassy in Cairo and protests outside the one in Amman, Jordan, have compounded a sense of urgency and forced the Obama administration to reassess some of America’s fundamental assumptions.
The toppling of Hosni Mubarak of Egypt, Col. Muammar Gaddafi of Libya and Zein El Abidine of Tunisia may unleash uncontrollable forces wedded to Islam. The entire region might emerge hostile to the US and its protégé.
SIGNIFICANT ASSERTION
A significant assertion by a long-serving Saudi dignitary, who happens to be a former Head of Saudi Intelligence, has gone almost unnoticed. Prince Turki Al Faisal on Sep 12 wrote that Saudi Arabia would no longer be able to cooperate with America in the same way it historically has if America votes against Palestine statehood.
Indian Muslims’ feeling is Palestine is neither a Palestinian nor an Arab nor a territorial problem. It is the problem of the world Muslims as their Qibla-e-Awwal is under adverse possession. The basis of this feeling is the overall study of the Qur’ān and Sunnah. A joint international effort has to be made by the world Muslim leadership to free East Jerusalem from the adverse occupation. This effort should inevitably be followed by the procurement of nuclear power for absolutely peaceful purposes only.By the way, it may work as a deterrent for those who have evil eyes on the Ummah.