The independent Palestine offered by Israel is not much better than the hell-hole that is Gaza. Why then, are Palestinians desperate for an ‘independent’ state?
In reality, the state will be anything but independent. Gaza is free from occupation, Israel tells us. Yet we all know it is one big prison.
Fatah has long accepted an independent state consisting of the West Bank and Gaza, and Hamas has more or less accepted the same. The only difference is that Hamas claims this acceptance to be temporary – they will leave it to the next generation to ‘fight’ for historical Palestine.
Sadly I fear Hamas is only deceiving itself. The racist policies of Israel may be worse than apartheid South Africa, but Palestine is not South Africa, and Hamas is not the ANC of Mandela.
Instead of boycotts by the major powers, they are the strongest backers. In the case of America, this is regardless of what the President believes or wants. A small reminder for those hoping a President Obama can ‘change’ things:
After meeting Netanyahu, the then Israeli Prime Minister, an outraged Bill Clinton apparently remarked, “Who the f**k does he think he is, who’s the f***ing superpower here?”. Billy the Kid found out what we all know, it is the tail that wags the dog.
As for the Muslim governments, they are too corrupt and weak to help. Even when they seemingly sympathise, real-politik gets in the way. Egypt and Jordan sold out long time ago, and Syria is about to do the same. In return for Israel’s return of the illegally held Golan Heights, Syria will end its support for Hamas.
If you’re wondering about Abdullah, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, he’s probably busy munching on cakes and dishing out the dosh to the six-thousand or more Saudi princes.
Palestinians have no real friends that can help, and without help they cannot achieve anything - that is the sad truth. Let’s face it, Hamas should not kid itself – a military solution is therefore impossible.
The only option is that Palestinians (and indeed all ordinary Muslims) must swallow their pride, and call for a single state.
The one-state solution is the worst nightmare for Israel and its backers. The Israeli fear is that Jews will very soon become a minority in a single state. Palestinians already form about 40% of the population of mandate Palestine, and with their high birth rate they will soon become the majority.
This ‘demographic problem’ is the main reason why Israel left Gaza, and why it will never accept the right of return for Palestinians (and their descendants).
In short, the Palestinians should accept Israel and demand rights as equal citizens – including the right to vote and form a government if their MPs are in the majority. Hopefully a Muslim majority government of ‘Palestine’ can once again demonstrate that Jews can live without being persecuted in the holy land.
Rejoice and let the breeding begin!
What nonsense! How can we expect the Palestinians to accept Israel?
Its not simply a “Palestinian” issue anyway,
Nor is it an arab issue
It is an issue of Islam and Muslim land, and any proposed solution needs to recognise that – rather than simply allowing the current demographic and political reality to dictate to us our position
I almost totally disagree with what is being said here, taking into consideration the great and endless struggle of the palestinians, the lives that have been lost in this struggle and the aspirations of the palestinians. i do agree that it is ‘almost’ impossible that Hamas can route out the israelies from hstorical palestine, bit i say ‘almost’ because like you said it is upto the future generation of palestinians to regain their land back, however i believe their tactic of having temporary peace deals or ceasefire is working and it helps ease the burden. maybe they CAN and SHOULD do more in this field, and commit to thier social work by building a healthy society though education, healthcare and economy.
they have been given this duty by the public of administring their country, and so they should focus on this and in the best possible manner, no other islamic movement has reached the positiion of power, the whole worlds eyes are on them including the muslims, they should be an aspiration for all Muslims and islamic movements who wish to establish Islam. i pray that Hamas can produce a healthy society based on equity, justice and truth and pursue the path of struggle in the Way of Allah. Salam
it was almost a good article but the twist in thought at the end just is unislamic.
I agree with a one state solution but not Israel ;-) that’s just a western creation for their benefit. The leaders of the muslims have failed Palestine – not the Muslim ummah.
In a one state solution Isreal can not provide justice for all however Islam is able to do this. Islam has the mechanism to protect all citizens, their dignity and honour.
Once again education does not solve all problems. Take a look at Iraq.
Best achievement for dunia and akhira is resistence to occupation. Otherwise we will accept this defeat and then move on to Iraq and accept another defeat and then move on to afghanistan and accept another defeat and then move on to pakistan and accept another defeat, etc.
I disagree with your statement that ‘Palestinians have no real friends that can help’. Have you ever travelled to the Middle East and mingled with the local people? By reading your article I don’t think you have. I have travelled to several Arab countries and I found that the vast majority of the people support Hamas and their cause. The only obstacle they have is the western backed currupt kings and presidents but I beleive this will soon change!
“What has been taken by force, can be regained only by force” – Shaykh Ahmed Yasin Shaheed
To accept Israel is to suspend Jihad and resistance against the occupiers. It is to waste the efforts of the thousands of Muslims that have struggled for Islam. The blood of the Shuhadaa is not that cheap. We should be careful in proposing solutions while sitting behind a computer screen far away from the field of sacrifice and struggle. To abandon Jihad is nothing less than hypocrisy and sin. Israel is illegal and our Deen demands that we struggle against the invading enemy until it is expelled.
60 years have elapsed and the struggle continues but history shows that it took longer to expel the crusaders from Palestine in the past and similar was the situation with the tartars in baghdad.