I find it very difficult to look at the recent events in Gaza and the air bombing beforehand in Lebanon and remain open minded about the politics of Israel. The number of victims alone in the occupied territories is enough for me to judge Israel as a powerful predator.
However, I believe Palestinians need a wake up call. They need to start thinking out of the box! Otherwise, they won’t survive. They’ll eventually join the infinite groups of lost tribes and obliterated cultures.
Let’s look at it this way. I think most people would agree Iran cannot go to war with sovereign nations or cultural groups on the pretext it owned their land 2000 years ago. We lost land by war and thru bad politics. It’s a historical fact. Similarly, I don’t care what sacred books say, Israel doesn’t really have any historical claims on the land it has invaded. If we accept this logic, then it should apply to everyone. Even Palestinians. Why should Palestinians be exempt from this historical pattern?
It’s true Palestinian consciousness, history or memory is fresh with what’s been lost because changes to their geography and society is relatively new. Not to long ago, Isael was a non entity. But life is different now. Israel is a reality. And a prosperous one too! It’s not going any where. Palestinians need to realize they lost land by war and to superior political strategizing! The land is gone. How long are they going to resist and fight for what is no longer theirs? 1000 years? If so, then perhaps Iran should start claiming some land too! It just doesn’t work like that.
I believe Palestinians need to think out of the box! They need a leader like Obama who can mobilize the youth and the war struck masses in a movement to end the violence and forget about what’s been lost. History will move on, so should they.
This leader could unite Gaza and the West Bank. Political and social forces should unite and get the best “peace” deal they can realistically get out of Israel and start to build on whatever is left.
Once “peace” has been achieved (and undoubtedly it will be to Israel’s benefit because the law of the jungle dictates the survival of the fittest), Palestinians can start building their society. This leader would help Palestinians move beyond their religion. Meaning they can remain as Muslim as they wish, however, they can build their country on the rule of law and without excessive religious pressure on civil government.
What would be the point of this acceptance of a defeated position? Well, if they do things right, Palestinians can build a country like the UAE. They can trade with China! Mingle with the USA. They can build an economy and so on. Most importantly, they can build some kind of army devoted to its people (rather than Fatah or Hamas or Koot or Zahreh Mar!).
Who says history can’t turn to favor the Palestinians a 100 years from now when they’ve managed to educate their youth, feed their poor and gain sovereign legitimacy? And as much as I hate it, war is what makes the world go around. Why can’t Palestinians begin to buy Israeli land? Why can’t they attack Israel on some fucked up pretext and start expanding? After all, that’s what history has shown us! I mentioned above, land is won and lost. Palestinians might have a shot as emerging as winners in future conflicts! Even peaceful treaties between interested parties where land is traded for other favors isn’t unheard of. If Palestinians invent some new way of creating clean energy, Israel may be inclined to trade some farm land for cheaper energy prices!
I think that’s the best Palestinians can hope for at this point in time. Their present situation is never going to improve. Even if they have gains, they will be momentary and temporary. This situation cannot continue. There’s no way out of it. Absolutely none.
I personally don’t believe what I’ve described will happen. Because there’s a simple problem that cannot be resolved. It will exist until the end of time. And that’s religious conflicts between the 2 parties.
Unfortunately, 2 cruel Gods decided to plant their centers of worship SHATARAGH on the same piece of real estate. These Gods, who are supposedly related, were such geniuses that they never thought of ways to keep their followers in peace. No 11th commandment about loving your neighbor’s religion was every submitted to Tribal Council. So the violence will continue forever!
Then again, some smart son of a bitch might wake up and realize the business potential that entire region has for a new religion! Who said new prophets can’t emerge? That land has seen hundreds of prophets! What’s one more? Think of of it. A new religion to unite Jews and Muslims and turn Jerusalem into a ghost town. Give peace a chance.
