Thomas (Special correspondent)
Shimon (name changed) is a graduate student pursuing business studies in the United States.A humanist and peace activist, his family fled the brutalities of World War II and found a home in the American land.
His grandparents endured a lifetime of struggles as Jews and departed before fulfilling their dream of returning to the promised land – Israel.
Shimon now carries the dream even though he has never been to Israel.His parents have and they are not willing to send their son as the long- enduring and raging conflict between Israel and Palestine sees no end.
The story has many facets.And the media and international organizations have never portrayed the part where Jews were oppressed and defeated in their land by the Arabs.
This is an attempt to look back at the relevance of Israel’s fight for their land and its historical significance.
Jews Lived in Peace Until the Arab’s Invaded
The current conflict formally began in 1948.The British left and the United Nations (UN) declared Israel and Palestine as separate states.
As known to the whole world,Israel accepted the partition while Palestine did not,leaving the status of the latter in a conundrum since then – it is officially a state, yet it isn’t.
1967 Arab – Israel was is often quoted for Israel’s seizure of the West Bank. In reality,the whole region belonged to the Jews for centuries.
Jews lived in peace until the Rashidun army, also known as the Islamic Caliphate army captured the land in the 7th century.
Survival was a struggle and it went on for centuries. Zionist movement strengthened in the 19th century to unify and bring back Jews scattered across Europe and other parts.
The movement,however, irked the sentiments of the Islamic community,who saw this as an effort to suppress the Palestinians, leading to conflicts and the establishment of militant groups.
Intifada and the Rise of Hamas :
Palestinians joined to protest against Israel’s control over Gaza Strip in the West Bank in what is known as the first intifada or the first Palestine uprising.
The violence that erupted in 1987, lasted for six years and ended with Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) leader Yasser Arafat signing a peace deal in 1993 at the Whitehouse during Bill Clinton’s presidency.
The extremists weren’t happy about it and quite coincidentally,Hamas rose to power during this period. The cold war and collisions continued and seven years later, there was another uprising, brutal than the first.
The second intifada – Al-Aqsa intifada –
Witnessed suicide bombings in both the regions and over 4,500 fatalities.Rockets rained over Israel and Hamas’ popularity grew over the period as a legitimate group supporting the rights of Palestinians.
Internal conflicts disrupted peace in the state and a second peace deal to end the uprising in 2005 was not well-received.
Recently, the Jerusalem Post quoted Suha Arafat, widow of former Palestine president Yasar Arafat, on Twitter saying.
Israel was not responsible for the death of Yasser Arafat and the Second Intifada, which erupted in September 2000, was a mistake.”
The funding from Iran, Saudi, Qatar and other Islamic nations strengthened Hamas. The militant group ousted Fatah in the legislative elections in 2006, gaining complete control of Gaza.
Palestine was in a political deadlock with internal conflicts and two groups fighting a deadliest battle for the same cause. The influx of wealth is huge, yet nothing has been done for the good of the people.
Hamas opposed peace deals and the Oslo Accords.They carried out multiple bus bombings,
killing scores of Israelis,and stepped up its attacks after Israel assassinated its chief bomb maker Yahya Ayyash in December 1995, as reported by the BBC.
Ignored Citizens, Compromised Security- What is in For Palestinians and Israelites?
While Israel fights a legitimate battle to bring back its people,ensure basic rights and security and guard the borders and settlement of Gaza and Jerusalem,Hamas is fulfilling the vested interest of Arab nations and Islamic extremists.
Many in Israel and those living in East Jerusalem, Gaza, the West Bank and other parts fear Hamas may follow the footsteps of the Taliban.
Close to three decades of peace talks have not been fulfilled and Hamas may be planning another uprising, one that may be bloody and deadlier.
Quoting António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations; “If there is a hell on earth, it is the lives of children in Gaza.”
The Palestinians long for peace while the Jewish community yearns to return to their land.
It’s a journey back to the roots.
Please note, name and profession of the individual are changed to protect privacy.
