Palestine

Palestine issue ranks as the single most damaging issue to the world peace today. Even Iraqi quagmire ranks below it. There can be no doubt that this issue fuels Muslim extremism more than any other problem. The loss of life, torture and humiliation that Palestinians has been suffering on a daily basis for over five decades have few parallels in history. Kids get shot, remember al Durrah, leaders are assassinated, remember Sheikh Yasin. Houses get demolished for no fault of the occupants. People are jailed and tortured without any trial. Add to this Sabra and Shatila Massacres and various one- sided wars Israel has fought with active western support. Can anyone blame young Muslims for giving in to extremism when he sees injustice and suffering in such large scale. Worst part is America and allies keep justifying Israel through all these. The fact is for over 50 years Zionist movement has been holding the world peace hostage to their racist agenda. Make no mistake Zionism is racism and what's happening in Palestine is nothing short of Apartheid.

The issue involves two communities, the Jews and the Palestinians. Palestinians include both Christians and Muslims. The Jews claim that Israel is their promised land. Palestinians claim, and rightly so , that they were living here for over thousand years and the land belongs to them. Jerusalem is holy to all three religions. For over five decades now Jews has been migrating to Israel from all parts of the globe and thus dislodging Palestinians from their homes. These Jews who migrate to Israel are those who hold citizenship in their countries of origin. While the dislodged Palestinians end up with no home or country. They are not given citizenship in any other country. There are over five million nation-less Palestinians today.

Is it correct to exile Palestinians from their homeland for accommodating Jews , who come in search of a better life? Most point to holocaust as a justifying reason. But the fact is holocaust happened in Europe and not in the Middle East. Why should Palestinians atone for a crime that Europeans committed?

A solution to this problem can only be based on justice. First we should agree to the fact all men are created equal. The solution can be just only if its based on the principal that everybody, regardless of their creed or religion, have equal rights. A sustainable solution has to recognize the rights of the displaced Palestinians , Palestinians in the occupied territoties and those living under the territory controlled by Palestinian Authority. Also the native Jews too has to be accommodated in the final settlement.

A pluralistic democracy is the only answer, where Palestinians and Jews will have the equal rights. An arrangement similar to what we have in India. The displaced Palestinians should be brought back , migration of Jews into Israel must stop. All political prisoners has to be released, all checkpoints , apartheid wall and other weapons of subjugation dismantled. Let their be a free and fair election for electing a constituent assembly , who can pen a just constitution. This may sound wishful thinking, but its the only way to peace and stability in Palestine and the wider world. Faster we realize this, the better.