Elusive Peace and West Asian Blues: AKM Saifullah (29)

(We must deliver the region from this seemingly endless cycle of violence – Kofi Annan)

For the first time we’ve really begun to address with clarity the root cause of the conflict, the recent conflict in the Middle East, and that is terrorist activity. Namely Hezbollah, that’s housed and encouraged by Syria, financed by Iran, are making these moves to stop the progress of peace,” Bush said during recent G8 summit. And he said that with
contemptuous glee.

 

We’ve really begun to address with clarity the “root cause”, yes, the root cause, is that what he said?
Well, here’s the rub. As we, the international consensus and the massacred people of west Asia do believe otherwise.
Who this Hezbollah really are? It is a guerrilla group that was formed in the wake of Israel’s 1982 assault to Lebanon. When the conflict was deeply rooted for about 100 years. Even being a guerrilla group it has been heavily involved with social, education and community services in southern Lebanon. Their engagement with civil people is so deep that makes it difficult for any serious Middle East observer to question on its legitimacy.
Principally, materialistically and financially Hezbollah might have association with both Iran and Syria, agreed. But when infact a person like Sheikh Nasarallah, who prefers to be self ruled only, takes order from someone else then himself?
The recent conflict has sparked when Hezbollah clearly violated an internationally recognized border to seize two Israeli soldiers in northern Israel. But, what has gone unnoticed to many is the fact that Israel has violated Lebanese airspace almost everyday since its ‘claimed complete’ withdrawal from southern Lebanon in 2000 (Israel still holds Shebaa farm and few other villages). The aerial scouting mission did not cause any life, true. But, a border violation is a border violation.
After displacing almost a million of people and putting off a thousand odd lives, Ehud Olmert, the Israeli premier said, “Israel would not rush into seize fire until it achieves its goals of decimating Hezbollah.” Fine, but the world wishes to know, in addition to 9000 Arab political prisoner – including women and children under age of 14 are currently held in Israeli jail, how many innocent Lebanese life or displaced people are for each kidnapped Israeli soldiers?
“The Hizbollah used the village of Qana as a base to launch rockets and it bears responsibility that this area is a combat zone,” Israeli army spokesman Jakob Dalal said. The Israeli rejection of responsibility of recent Qana (an UN base) civilian death caused by its wild bombardment tells us that the victim of a gang rape is guilty because she was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
For the record, Qana was the site of an Israeli bombing of a UN base on April 18, 1996 that killed 105 people who had taken refugee there during Israel’s “Grapes of Wrath” offensive, also aimed at wiping out Hezbollah. (Source: AFP)
In this turmoil Gaza seems to have become the forgotten war to many across the globe.
US Secretary of State Dr. Condoleezza Rice said that it was “too early” for a seize fire when thousands of people are already massacred. We remembered with great horror and disdain, after about 500,000 Iraqi children’s reported death, caused by malnutrition due to US led sanction then US Secretary of State Medeleine Albright saying in an identical tone “it was a hard choice to make…….. a price worth paying”. Ms. Albright never lost her job for her sheer irresponsible and reckless comment! We are sure, so wont Ms. Rice.
A recent internet poll (no of voter 93,805) result shows that 30% believes Israel is mainly to blame for the current Middle East crisis. While 24% thinks it is Hezbollah. Followed by Iran & Syria (22%) and the US (12%).
According to a CNN quick pole (800,000 voters) 55% opposed Israel’s current attack on Lebanon.
As the war goes on, as the alarm bell is ringing about the risk of a humanitarian catastrophe lets have a tour to the pages of history. Let us try to unfold how the problem started at the first place, and of course what was “the root cause”?

Historical document says the Canaanites were the earliest known inhabitants of Palestine (3 rd Millennium BC). They use to live in the cities. One of which was Jericho. Egyptians ruled the rejoin on the later part or 3rd Millennium BC they stretched upto 2nd Millennium BC. It was only 14th century BC when a Semitic group form Mesopotamia appeared before Egyptians when their capacity was fast waning. At 1230 BC Joshua conquered part of Palestine. The great king David finally drove out Philistines at 1000 BC. Since then, Palestine saw scores of rulers.

Meantime in early 3rd century Roman Emperor Constantine I legalized Christianity. Most of the people become Christian then.

Therefore, the history defies itself the very claim of Israel. It might have been the birthplace of Judaism, they might have a legacy of about thousand years, but that was not Palestine all about. Ancient Palestine was a place of invaders and living for many races. However, modern history also proves that Palestine was inhibited by Arabs for about 1300 years and much of last Millennium.

It was Theodore Herzi, who perhaps first advocated the idea of a Jewish state in Argentina or in Palestine in his book “The Jewish State” (1896). In 1904 the Zionist congress decided to establish a “national home” for Jewish in Argentina. In 1906 they amended the idea and focused on Palestine.
During World War I, in order to over throw rival Ottoman Turk, Britain opted to go for a huge conspiracy, with both the Arabs and the Jews. Something they were extremely good at! Fighting all around they (the British) was running short of fuel. So, they required tactical ally. On October 24, 1915 the British government declared British support for post-war Arab independence. So, on June 5, 1918 Hussein launched the Arab revolt against Turkey. In the other hand, Zionists appeared as a potential ally, who can safeguard British interest in the region.
From pure demographic point of view the Zionist ground was clearly invalid. In 1914 they comprised only 12% of total population on Palestine.
On November 2, 1917 through Balfour declaration the British government clearly favoured for a “national home for Jewish people.” The Jews were jubilant while the Arabs denied the declaration. Whatever, the fundamental point is that Britain had no moral right to assign Palestine to anyone. By right Palestine belonged to its inhabitants.

 

On the aftermath of Balfour declaration Jews influx to the rejoin kept increasing in a geometric rate. They started buying land from Arab landlords with financial support from European wealthy Jews. They also acquired some land illegally. In some complex means lands purchased became part of Jewish National Fund. Which specified that lands bought could never be sold or leased to Arabs again.

The British government restricted Jews immigration in 1939. That sparked Jewish terror campaign again Britain. Impoverish by war Britain decided to hand over Palestine issue to the UN.

A motion in favour for a Jewish state started rolling in the diplomatic circuit. At the same time, Palestinian Arabs kept arguing that European onslaught on Jews was hardly their fault. If there were any need for a Jewish state, why not slice it from Germany? Why should they bear the burden of European sin? But the plea went in vain.

In those years, what Arab lack was a visionary man like Theodore Herzl and an astute spokesman, someone well versed of European politics like Chain Weigman. The towering presence of this two man, especially the later, clearly put Israel ahead of the Arabs.

During World war II Britain restricted Jews immigration. So did the US and several other European countries. Yet, thousands of Jews fought for Britain. Arab Muslims played their part as well.

Countering Arab claim in 1947 United Nation Special Committee on Palestine (UNSCOP) recommended establishing a Jewish state and an Arab state bisecting the territory ruled under British mandate. Due to latest developed geo-political equation both the US and USSR supported the motion for partitioning Palestine. Twice the motion was postponed for failing to

muster sufficient support. It is known that due to heavy US pressure and diplomacy later some of the third world countries changed their mind to vote for the move.

On November 29, 1947 the Resolution 181 was passed partitioning Palestine into two states, Israel and Palestine. The resolution was endorsed by required two third majority affirmative votes. (33 to 13 with Britain and Nine others abstaining)

Yes (for the Approval)	No          (against the Approval)	Abstain from Vote
Australia, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Byelorussia, Canada, Costa Rica, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, France, Guatemala, Haiti, Iceland, Liberia, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Sweden, Ukraine, South Africa, USSR, USA, Uruguay, Venezuela	Afghanistan, Cuba, Egypt, Greece, India, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, Yemen	Argentina, Chile, China, Columbia, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Honduras, Mexico, UK, Yugoslavia
33	13	10

Table 1: Voting details of UN Resolulation 181

Congressman Lawrence H. Smith declared in the US Congress: “… it is reliably reported that intense pressure was applied to the delegates of three small nations by the United States….. the decisive votes for the partition were cast by Haiti, Liberia and the Philippines. These votes were sufficient to make the two-thirds majority. Previously, these countries opposed the move…”

(US Government Record, December 18, 1947, p. 1176)

Even today, some says Israel’s independence were pre-mature, some says its illegal, some even complains its as huge historical error. Where is the logic?

	Pre 1947		Post 1947
	Population of Palestine		Population of Israel		Population of Palestine
Arab	1132,000	69%	325,000	39%	807,000	99%
Jews	508,000	31%	498,000	61%	10,000	1%
Total	1640,000	100%	823,000	50%(of total)	817,000	50%(of total)

 Table 2: Comparison of Population (before and after Partition)

Pre 1947		Post 1947
Jews Control	6% of total land	Israel	56% of land
Arabs Control	94% of total land	Palestine	42% of land
Former Palestine	100% of land	International Zone*	2% of land

   (* including Jerusalem and other religious sites)

Table 3: Comparison of Land (before and after Partition) 

In 1947 Jews holding only 6% of total land and forming about 31% of total population, yet the partition allowed them 56% of land.

The Arab (Palestine) and the Jewish State (Israel) had almost the same (50% each) population. But the Arabs were granted 42% of land.

The Arab state (newly born Palestine) had an overwhelming Arab majority (99%) and a handful of Jews (1%). Whereas the Jewish state (newly born Israel) had almost as many Arabs (31%) as Jews (61%).

If it was unjust to force Jews to be a 31% minority in an Arab state (i.e. Palestine, before partition) how much justified it was to force Arabs to be a 39% minority in a Jewish state (i.e. Israel, after partition)? (- may we put this question politely to the US administration as well as to pro western media who sometimes seems perplexed to address the root cause of current middle east conflict?)

This is indeed as easy an equation as basic algebra for any person with average intellect to understand. Unfortunately, politics does not always go with equity. Rather, it often goes with muscle and the way it fit most to you!

After independence, with renewed moral and strength Jewish terrorist groups kept attacking Arab villages and massacred thousand. In retaliation Arabs attacked on Israeli settlement. These tit for tat activities turned into a full-scale war on May 15, 1948. About the same time (before and after May 1948) almost 70% Palestinians fled to neighbouring states.

 

Later on December 11, 1948 the UN General Assembly passé Resolution 194, which stated “… the refugees wishing to return to their homes and live at peace with their neighbors should be permitted to do so at the earliest possible date and that compassion should be paid for the property of those choosing not to return…”. Israel repeatedly refused to carry out the terms and condition of the resolutions saying unlike Security Council, General Councils resolutions are essentially suggestions only, therefore, non binding. Palestinians’ gypsy life began.

Egypt’s President Colonel Gamal Abdel Nasser negotiated with the British and nationalized Suez Canal in 1956. Inorder to delay British withdrawal Israel covertly arranged bombing operation on western targets in Egypt. The plot was foiled. Several plotters executed. Israel responded with a major military attack in connection with Britain and France. UN and the US condemned the ploy. At the end of the war Israel held Gaza strip and Sinai Peninsula.

In 1964 Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) was born to deal directly with the problem of Palestine Arabs.

On June 5, 1967 together with Egypt’s closure of the Strait of Tiran, Israel launched a pre-emptive war. Israel’s French equipped air force proved too good to the Arabs aerial capacity. By the time war ended on June 10, 1967 Israel went on capturing all of Jerusalem, Golan heights, Sinai peninsula, West bank and Gaza strip.

UN Security Council unanimously passed Resolution 242, which has later become the cornerstone of Middle East peace process. The resolution called for “… withdrawal of Israeli armed forces from territories of recent conflict.” Israel argued as it said only “territories” and not “the territories” mean Israel could keep some of the occupied area as it wished. However, the official French referred to the text des territories. The official Russian text also included “the”.

 

After the six days war (1967) Israel gradually emerged, as the US’s staunchest ally. Their friendship finally paid off with a massive US economic and military assistance during Yom Kippur war (1973) that managed to draw advancing Arab army after many casualties.

Since 1967, the Security Council had adopted not less than 26 Resolutions to implement fourth Geneva Convention, which prohibits a conquering power from setting its population on occupied territory. Some of the resolution clearly addresses Israel to refrain from its policies and activities.

For example UN Resolution 456 says, “… all measures taken by Israel to change the physical character, demographic composition, institutional structure of status of the Palestine and other Arab territories occupied since 1967, including Jerusalem, or any part thereof, have no legal validity and the Israel’s policy and practices of setting parts of its population and new immigrants in those territories constitutes a flagrant violation of the fourth Geneva Convention…”

On East Jerusalem illegal annexation of Israel, the UN Security Council Resolution 478 (1980) determined “….  All legislative and administrative measures and action taken by Israel… in particular, the recent basic law on Jerusalem are null and void and must be rescinded forthwith.”

Dozens and dozens of Resolution has passed against Israel’s aggression. But, it has maintained its tempo, doing everything possible to reshape and possibly digest Palestine. Shunning the Worlds plea they have exploited natural resources, confiscated land, altered demographic composition. They kept building new settlements, transferring new settlers, establishishing dual system, and even annexing part of the territory.

And they have done so with direct or indirect American concurrence. Since 1972 to 2006 atleast 40 times, the US has applied its veto power to the UN Resolutions critical of Israel. More importantly all these vote has gone against overwhelming affirmative majority. That essentially means, due to varied no of absentation, the no of votes in favour varied. But in all the cases, the no of vote against was constant. The no always stand at 1 (one). And the country was none other than the US. In today’s civilized world, is this the sample of democracy we are practicing? Yet, they are the one who is peddling the democratic doctrine all over the world.

What good this veto authority has to offer in the UN Security Council when it often goes against such overwhelming majority to serve a single countries interest?

Meantime Israel emerged as the single biggest US aid receiver across the globe. Besides sharing its cutting edge technology, in the FY 2000 Washington gave Tel Aviv $4 billion.

In 1978 Israel launched Latini River Operation and struck PLO bases. Later Israel withdrew its troops. UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) was established (Resolution 425) and took over the task to maintain a seize fire along the 70 miles UN blue line between Lebanon and Israel.

After 1978 PLO kept Israel busy with intermittent raids. On June 6, 1982Israel launched a full-scale invasion, named “Operation Peace” (!). Its demand was to complete expulsion of PLO from Lebanon. PLO left to Tunisia. Their primary demand fulfilled. Yet Israeli troops stayed. They created a security zone of 3 to 5 miles inside Lebanon along its border saying this will act as “buffer” to protect Israel.

September 16, 1982 was perhaps one of the darkest days of modern human civilization. When Lebanese Christian Phalangist Militia by direct order and aid from then Israeli defence minister Ariel Sharon entered the Beirut refugee campSabra and Shatila. In a 62 hours rampage they raped (we salute your manhood!), killed, maimed and massacred thousands of innocent, unarmed refugees. During the days of Gladiators there was an ethic. Do not hurt an unarmed soldier. When the civilization has reached to its pinnacle, where does our ethic stand? However, the no of death claimed by Palestinians due to the inhuman attack stand at 3000 to 3500. This Israeli skirmish essentially triggered the birth of a new guerrilla group named Hezbollah.

Through leading media and news agencies we often hear about the world’s top terrorist groups. We hear about Fatah, Hamas, Hezbollah. What we don’t hear, however, is the fact that why and how these groups were formed at the first place?

In 1995 Oslo accord divided occupied territories into three zone. Where nothing was mentioned of East Jerusalem. Palestinians nightmare continued. Through all these so called peace processes Palestine has become as a piece of cloth. While Israel is the tailor master. As if, it can cut, sew; fabricate the cloth the way it fit most to her!

Even after Oslo accord the great moral state, Israel kept transferring new settlers, building new settlement, confiscating Arab lands. Meanwhile, Palestinian poverty increased, unemployment rate stood at 40%, freedom of movement decreased from West Bank to East Jerusalem, from one enclave to another.

They way pro western media portrait Palestinian independence movement today, if it is true, then many other current countries of the world today will be illegitimate. Not to mention, Israel itself was engaged with frequent terrorist activities against civilians before its independence, 1947.

Today in the US media what we hear most is, if the current warfare will bring Israel good or bad. When Israel attacks on unarmed Palestinian civilian becomes “self defence”. When Hamas or Hezbollah fires rocket on Israeli target becomes “Islamic terrorist”. Israeli settlement, illegal under international law, becomes “neighbourhood” while Gaza becomes “disputed”

not “occupied territory”. We don’t hear how after its claimed complete withdrawal from Gaza strip, Israel controlled Palestinian beach and air space turning the territory into a huge prison cell. We see them saying current Israeli onslaught is to size up Hezbollah. What we don’t hear is to ask them if it is only Hezbollah why do Israeli bomb landing on northern Lebanon. There are simply too many questions to be answered, to be solved.

Infact what we are seeing today in Lebanon is not only about two kidnapped Israeli soldier. It’s about a century old complex regional conflict.

As we hear, US Secretary of State Dr. Condi Rice saying, “What we’re seeing here are the birth pangs of a new West Asia”.

Primary on scene target is of course Hezbollah. By achieving so they wish to size Iran, down Syria, control Iraq. Moderate Sunni Muslim dominated West Asia is what back in their mind. They are on endeavour to redesign the region the way it serves best to them.

One Arafat might have died. But many Arafat everyday born in Palestine. One Sheikh Nasarallah might be eliminated. There are scores of Nasarallahs to fill up the void space if create.

It is simply impossible to put off people’s power, the most indomitable force by suppressing superficial cause only. The root cause of the current conflict must be addressed, solely agreed with the US president. Ironically not the way the world’s most powerful man wishes for. The root cause is century old. That is to be addressed. And it has to be done the way massacred people of Palestine (and along the line of international consensus) demand.

Otherwise, peace will remain elusive. West Asian blues will continue.

———————

AKM Saifullah (29th)
August 08, 2006
(From Malaysia)