KARIBU MAISHANI

KARIBU MAISHANI

Saturday, August 21, 2010

The Israel-Palestine Conflict


The Israel-Palestine Conflict
POLITICS | January 9, 2009 | Share
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None are right, none are wrong… both are caught in a frenzy of seemingly unstoppable violence!




The Middle-East crisis has been one of the world’s most complex and contentious issues. The genesis of the issue and the conflict lie far back in history and the religious texts. The Jews believe that the land they hold now is their Promised Land, which has been delivered unto them after centuries of persecution in foreign lands. The Palestinians on the other hand, believe that their homeland has been snatched from them by the actions of the Western Imperial powers. Further, the city of Jerusalem is of equal importance to both the Jews and the Muslims.




In 1948, when the State of Israel was born, millions of Palestinians were rendered homeless. While the Jews celebrated and poured into Israel from all over the world, the homeless Palestinians were dying of hunger and poverty. Within days, the newly born nation was attacked by the Arab powers, which had to deal with the Palestinian refugees. Though that war ended, the conflict hasn’t been resolved even after almost sixty years of violence and bloodshed. There have been several other wars since that war of 1948, and many other conflicts yet things remain in a state of limbo.



The Jews have valiantly protected their homeland from the surrounding Arab states, partly due to the aid extended by the Jewish expatriates, especially the strong Jewish lobby in the USA. They have survived terrorist attacks and continual periods of chaos, and yet they haven’t given up. Every year, there are hundreds of terrorist attacks in Israel and thousands of innocent people die. The Israelites live in a period and region where life is truly uncertain and where they could be the victims of a terrorist attack at any moment. Their spirit is to be saluted, but their conditions have to be pitied. They are, apparently, justified when they strike at the Palestinian terrorists in self-defense and to avenge their beloved ones.



One the other hand is the Palestinians. When the United Nations decided to create Israel, these people were rendered homeless. Their bitterness and contempt for the Israelites and Americans is not hard to understand. They are the oppressed and weak, fighting a stronger enemy, Israel is backed by a mighty power, the USA.


The Palestinians have to watch helplessly, when the Israeli forces, equipped with the latest weapons and technology provided by the USA, pour into their homes and kill their own. They cannot help, but despise the Israelites and the Americans, who have condemned them to live in the barren territories of West Bank.



It is not difficult to realize that both the sides are suffering, in any judgment, neither can be declared as absolutely right or wrong. There is a need for compromises and settlements. Both the sides are backed by mighty powers that will ensure that their side does not lose out completely, thus, things will stay in a state of limbo.



Neither the Israelites will be able to drive out the Palestinians, nor will the Palestinians be able to reclaim their land entirely. They will be forced to co-exist and incidents of violence will continue. It is incumbent upon the international community to establish peace in this region, which can only be done by ensuring the peaceful co-existence of both these peoples. Neither of them can, or will abandon their lands; their only choice is to abandon violence.



The recent Israeli attack on Gaza shows the complexity of the conflict. The Israeli offensive was motivated by Hamas’ attacks on Israel, to which they retaliated with their superior forces. The Israeli forces have crippled the region and hundreds have died, leading to the UN Security Council Resolution asking for a ceasefire immediately.



The Hamas and Palestinians can justify their actions, and so can the Israelis. The conflict has been drawn out so long, that every accusation will involve a past counter-accusation. They and the world have to understand that the two-nation theory is the best solution for the region.



Though, establishing peaceful co-existence may be a path strewn with difficulties, yet it is the only path possible. They must understand that violence will not lead them to peace; it will only lead to more violence

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