Just because enough time has passed, a wrong does not become a right
“Of all the sombre ironies of history none throws a more sinister light on human nature than the fact that the new-style nationalist Jews, on the morrow of the most appalling of the many persecutions that their race had endured, should at once proceed to demonstrate, at the expense of Palestinian Arabs whose only offence against the Jews was that Palestine was their ancestral home, that the lesson learnt by Zionists from the sufferings which Nazis had inflicted on Jews was, not to forbear from committing the crime of which they themselves had been victims, but to persecute, in their turn, a people weaker than they were. The Israeli Jews did not follow in the Nazis’ footsteps to the extent of exterminating the Palestinian Arabs in concentration camps and gas chambers; but they did dispossess the majority of them, to the number of more than half a million, of the lands which they and their fathers had occupied and cultivated for generations, and of the property that they were unable to carry with them in their flight, and thereby they reduced them to destitution as ‘displaced persons’.”- Arnold J Toynbee in ‘A Study of History’.
Killing is bad. We all agree. Okay, most of us agree on that. But let me create a hypothetical scenario and then we can talk about killing again.
Muslims from all over the world adore Makkah. It is the house of their Lord, the centre of their belief, the epitome of the Prophet’s memory. But it is a city; it has a physical space along with an ideological one. People live there, a state controls it, manages it, handles everything that goes on there. Now one day, a group of Muslims, in a corner of the world far, far away from Makkah, starts believing that it is their divine right to inhabit Makkah, that it is their promised land and that they should be the ones running its affairs instead of the Sauds. They start propagating their belief, backed by a pretentious ideological stance and their movement gains momentum in other areas as more and more Muslims join their ranks. One day their leader decides that all members of the group should eventually go and settle in Makkah and start a life there. So slowly and steadily, people from the group start landing there, coming from all corners of the world. They come in groups of dozens, form a community, buy land, start businesses and live peacefully with the natives. All good? But soon their numbers start increasing, the local population starts itching, the immigrants form an armed militia to protect themselves, there are a few schisms but nothing too serious. As time passes, the international community starts propagating for the immigrants’ rights while more and more come to Makah to settle down.
Now they claim Makkah belongs to them and not to the Sauds. They don’t keep other Muslims from coming and worshipping there, for of course it is their right to do so. All they want is to run the state’s affairs, protect their rights, and strengthen their community. Too much to ask for? By now their numbers are almost equal to the native population and the UN declares Makkah as a separate state, run by the immigrants who migrated and settled there over the years, who were nowhere to be seen a few decades ago but are now at the heart of the affairs. But at least they are Muslims, not kafirs or infidels who want to oust the Kaabah or damage its sanctity. They welcome other Muslim brothers for Haj. They just needed a country for themselves because God said so, and because no other state recognised their religious authority.
Now replace Makkah with Jerusalem and the Muslim immigrants with Jews. Welcome to Violence 101, an introduction to killing in present day Palestine and Israel.
Some 64 years have gone by since Israel’s creation and with time more and more people want to accept it as a genuine state with all its rights and privileges. But why does no one ever think about the natives? What did they do wrong? Were they wrong in allowing homeless people to settle on their lands? To let them make a living, buy land, run businesses? In all the fuss, where did their right to rule their land go? Just because enough time has passed, a wrong does not become a right. You have to accept that the creation of Israel was a fraud, an illegal move by all international standards. Today it exists – even if on a fraudulent structure – it is there and no one can deny it. But the least anyone can do is accept that it wasn’t their land to claim even if their God had promised it to them. One must accept that the settlement of Jews and the establishment of their state was an infringement, of the highest degree, of the Palestinians’ right to live and govern their lands and if there exists a counter movement that wants to eliminate the settlers and regain what was theirs to start with, how can you blame them? Is there any brand of justice that would deny them this?
Since many would claim that the issue pre-dates 1948 and that Jerusalem has been the centre of religious violence for thousands of years (and I don’t disagree), let me remind you all that the Jews had NEVER, and I want to emphasise on this, never formed a state/empire in Jerusalem since 70 CE when the Romans ousted them into exile, not even once.
History unfolded in its own mysterious ways since then and it was not until the seventh century that Islam made its mark on the world. By then, the status of the Jews had worsened and they had, for centuries, become accustomed to living away from their ‘promised land’.
The Zionist Aliyah, or the return to ‘Eretz Yisrael’, did not start for another 1,812 years after 70 CE – a gap of almost two millenniums. It basically signifies a self-fulfilling prophecy. God promised Abraham the land of Canaan around 4,000 years ago, which the Zionist ideology claims to be the basis of this return to the Promised Land. The first Aliyah is documented to have taken place in 1882 following which scores of Jews, deeming it their religious responsibility, rather a divine order, started returning to the Promised Land which by then had been inhabited by Arabs for centuries. By 1948, when the imperial powers were unable to hold on to their captured lands, God’s promise to the Jews eventually materialised into modern day Israel. So yes, by all means accept Israel as a nation-state, a reality that cannot be undone. But please don’t say that it was an assertion of their right and please don’t deny the undeniable encroachment of the native populations’ rights.
I’m not here to point fingers. Neither am I motivated by a religious responsibility to prove that Hamas’ cause is greater. I despise killing, in all forms and for whatever reasons. Hamas was formed in 1987 and till then the resistance was secular in nature. It is a written in stone fact that the Arab resistance towards the Zionist settlers, in early 20th century, was not based on sentiments of anti-Semitism but originated out of a rational and legitimate fear of displacement. Zionist leaders such as Ben Gurion, however, through their rhetoric, presented this resistance as a prevalence of the historic Western Gentile attitude towards Jews which was an easy card to play in the post-Nazi world. The bare truth which is reflected in Tom Segev’s words was: “Disappearing the Arabs lay at the heart of the Zionist dream, and was also a necessary condition of its existence… With a few exceptions, none of the Zionists disputed the possibility of forced transfer-or its morality.”
Israeli atrocities on populations in Gaza and West Bank as documented do not jump start in the ’80s. A plethora of literature is available that will present in excruciating detail, the problems faced by the indigenous population at the hands of the settlers.
My solution to the problem is not another holocaust which in any case is impossible given the might of present day Israel and the fragility of the Palestinians. Perhaps a two-state solution is the only realistic political settlement at this point, though not an optimal one as Chomsky suggests. But I find it a manipulation of history and ignorance of the highest order to deny that the creation of Israel was a scam and an atrocity on the Palestinians.
The writer is a staff member and can be contacted at [email protected]
It is sad that Arabs lost their land. They lost the traditional route through land. Like it is not possible to go from Damascus to Alexanderia or from Jeddah to Cairo through land anymore as the powerful state of Israel with hundreds of nuclear weapons and thousands of tanks and aircraft is there in between. Palestinians are the worst sufferers as they lost their land as well as the water s
I love that people need reminding of this historic conflict and that there are people who are there to remind people of it. Job well done!
koi nai baat please no cut paste
Congrats man! you have pointed out the right area. The Champions of Human Rights and Democracy must understand the basic issues. Hundreds of people are dying in their own homes, and the whole world is dreaming of peace. My dear developing countries, please wake up! READ the History and learn the lesson. OMER thanks a lot for reminding us the historical facts. Well done! We expect more articles from you.
An excellent, eye opening article.It is by time someone sensible spoke out
an excellent article…simply perfect.
written to perfection.!!Love it.
An awsome article, think that the muslims courage will wake up after reading this article.And the jews must come to understand now that the islam and muslims are not thier enemies.Islam is not a religion of war rather it is a religion of peace and unity!!
I agree with your two state solution. It is a way of solving the situation peacefully.
Dear Great Countries, Bring this world PEACE, do not change this world into pieces! Omer you are voice of YOUTH! Great job done, dear.
Yes, M.Omer i agree, I was wrong.
Paa ji tussi great o…tohfu qubool karo!
israel are mad bad racists facists nazis killers of innocents corrupt allharaams –inflation at 300 % yes 300% .. jews wonna live in usa ..israel jews are paid billions stolen from arab oil moneys .. but what do muslims do !!! nothing !!!!! oh yes PAKISTANI ISI KAAFIRS ROB MEHRAN BANK .. SUNNIS KILL SHIAS ALL OVER THE world INCLUDING PAKISTAN .. same usa uk goras firangis fully support israel against innocents in palestine lebanon and same sunnies in arablands and pakistan shoepolish usa uk europe … war on terror is really WAR AGAINST INNOCENTS FOR DOLLARS BILLIONS BY WARMONGERS INCLUDING RACISTS FACISTS NAZIS KAAFIRS E ISLAM GADAARS E PAKISTAN CORRUPT MAFIAS ==CRIME..POLITICIANS ..POLICE .. ISI .. MADMULLAS .. MALALAKILLERS..
i want to say that plzzz dont blame ISI.its a defender of Pakistan.u r misguided
ISI ROBBERS OF MEHRAAN BANK !!! SUPREMECOURT JUDGEMENT ..
koi nai baat please no cut paste
The author seems like a bright and insighful individual, I for one frankly am extremely turned on
Terror rises always in terrified hearts!
A surrounded rush always hoot at wolves attacking a chain bounded bear! They don't know, who the hell entertains them for his bread!
So the Israel is, Zion is a place to "Swear for Israel" meaning "Swearing to go against God's revelation & rule" this promise was done for 6000 years after the great flood of Noah! Now another wipe fear begins for Zionist who have completed their anti God, rule at a moment when they have established their global economic government! NWO…having a full threat to be wiped out again! So they are in terror and so are planning to TERRORIZE others like Wolves to the rush! Kindly let them earn their bread too, they will soon leave their global Terrorism track! Please do understand Muslims!
Do not blame the God fearing Jews of the world. God loves them and they do not attack their fellow Jews like the Arabs and the so called Muslims. God save us from the dim humans.
God never liked jews.jews killed Prophet JESUS for ur kind info.Muslims will Inshallah crush Jews.Jews are enemies of humanity
I would say a very well researched and well connected article. Thumbs up Mr. Omer. we hope to hear more from you.
Very well written, Mr. Hayat! Your article shows your passion for writing and your interest in issues such as the one aforementioned. Looking forward to reading your other articles. All the best!
First of all Makkah does not belong to the Al Sauds but all Muslims. The Sauds claim it as theirs since they control it now similarly israel is now in jewish control.
Jerusalem and Palestine/Israel has constantly seen only war for the last 3000 years. Winner sets the tone. In fact the dome of the rock exists over the jewish temple but has not been demolished. Arab Israelis love to live in Israel rather than in Palestine controlled areas because of corruption. Palestinians have proved to be Namak haram they went against the kuwaitis who had rehabilitated them when Saddam invaded Kuwait.
I have lived in Israel they treat Palestinians much better than they deserve to and having won the 1967 aggression I salute that. That is politics. Arab/Palestinians are nothing but betrayers and stab each other. They are lazy and incompetent. Israel is a barren desert without any oil which is prospering due to Jewish entrepreurship and technology.peasevread the book exodus by Leon Uris.
writ of the state is different than ideologue. also, the article clearly states that the area has seen war for thousands of years and does not deny it. the topic is creation of israel. there were no israelis before '48.
so u must live in israel.Muslims are corrupt but there is a reason.devil or shaitaan attack on those who have Beleive in Allah.devil never attack his own friends.thus u can see every jewiish or satanist nation has less corruption and crimes than Muslims
Displaced Indians who brutalized Hindus on behalf of the mighty Union Jack should feign less pretention regarding who is and who is not an indigenous population.
Jews had started returning even before 48. Saudi Arabia ad even for that matter Pakistan is. Theocratic state just like Israel. We should ask ourselves why minorities like Paris's, Hindus and Christians are living in terror within pakistan. I'm against any religious state. Total separation of church and state is needed for true democracy. If Israel becomes a democracy Palestinians will be in power that is what should drive the two state solution.
I have heard that the author's skin as soft as a baby's bottom
I wonder if he'll let me touch him
We need more journalism like that – well researched and to the point.
Omer, I love you.
UN is just a fraternity for the diplomats and there is a need to revamp the organization with a truly global cosmopolitan approach instead of the leaving it as a toothless tiger currently maneuvered by the US led regional coalitions!
Comments are closed.