What if the Arabs had recognized Israel in 1948? 3/20/2011
Summary of an essay from Abdulateef Al-Mulhim
When in Saudi, aside from the English language programs such as CNN International, BBC and Bloomberg on the tube, there is the Arab News in print that one can scan for news and opinions of the day.
On March 20th, while I was quietly celebrating the Persian New Year, I saw an article in the Arab News newspaper from a retired Commodore of the Saudi Navy (Royal Navy , that is) that caught my eyes. His name is Abdulateef Al-Mulhim. Once you get passed his lament for lost Arab Monarchies in the region since 1948, he makes a few good points which I have summarized here. I must stress that these are his words and not mine and to make clear no plagiarism is intended here. So, before you start calling me AIPAC or MOSAD, know that I only summarized and restated his words.
As I have noted in the past, I personally do not concern myself too much with the Arab-Israeli conflict especially since the dawn of the theocracy in Iran, but I believe Mr. Al-Mulbim argument here is undeniable and reinforces the fact how this conflict is used by the regional thugs – or governments – to further their own cause and strengthen their own position and grip on power than to help the Palestinians. This is also an issue that depending on how it finally evolves could have grave consequences on the security and prosperity of the region, namely our own Iran.
I particularly recommend reading this to the few bleeding heart chest beaters of the regime of the unelected clergy who roam the pages of Iranian.com. Enjoy!
Throughout the past decades, there have been many chances for the Palestinians to make peace with the Israelis and solve their problem, especially, the Camp David agreement between Israel and Egypt. What if the Arabs and the Palestinians accepted the presence of Israel and its right to exist on May 14, 1948? How would the region be different than what it is today? Would the region be more democratic, more advanced and more stable than it is today?
If that had been the case:
– Palestinians would have been able to free themselves from the hollow promises of some Arab dictators who kept telling them that the refugees will be going back to their homes and Israel will be sent to the bottom of the sea.
– Some of the Arab leaders would not have used the conflict for their own agenda to suppress their people and stay in power (gee, who and what does that remind you of?)
– No Arab politician longing to become a leader and a hero in the Arab world would have been able to shout out loud that his intention was to destroy Israel, (without ever mobilizing a single soldier).
– There would have been no need for a coup in Egypt against King Farouq in 1952, and no attack on Egypt in 1956 by UK, France and Israel.
– There would have been no war in June 1967 and the size of Israel would not have been increased and the Arabs would not have needed a UN Resolution to beg Israel to go back to pre-1967 borders.
– There would have been no war of attrition between Egypt and Israel that killed more Egyptians than Israelis.
– US would not have become an strategic ally of Israel (because of the war of attrition). Most people may not be aware that the Israelis fought that war with mainly French and British weapons. At the time, the US Government refused to supply the Israelis with more modern aircraft and weaponry.
– The Palestinian “cause” would not have been used to topple another stable monarchy in Iraq and replacing it with a bloody dictatorship (led by Abdul Karim Qassim). While the bloodshed continued in Iraq then, one brigade sent to “free” the Pals turned around and went back to take over Baghdad. Years later, Saddam used the excuse to liberate Jerusalem and invaded Kuwait.
– The 1968 coup would not have taken place in Libya and Qaddafi would not have taken over.
– Other coups such as those in Syria, Yemen and Sudan would not have taken place.
Mr. Al-Mulhim even goes as far as saying this:
“Even a non-Arab country, Iran, used – and still uses – the Palestinian issue to divert the minds of its people from internal unrest and oppression. Khomeini declared that he would liberate Jerusalem via Baghdad and Ahmadinejad making bellicose statements about Israel though not even a single firecracker has been fired from Iran toward Israel.”
He goes on to conclude that now the Palestinians are on their own as each Arab country is busy with its own crisis and struggle to survive. For now, the Arab countries have put the Arab-Israeli conflict on hold.
It is hard to reconcile this with how the theocracy in Iran beats the Palestinian drum as these are trying times for every regime and system in the region. I would add to the remarks about Iran’s bleeding heart stance that it is also trying to score points with the Arabs and Hezbollah (their proxy army). The more people support your existence, the better your chances are for survival.
Cheers!
