ARTICLE
A land without people for people without a land
Syed Nawazish Ali
- Phil (International Relations)
Email: [email protected]
Contact: +923325166705
Title
A land without people for people without a land
Abstract
In the context of International Law; the state should have four elements for its recognition: (i) central government (ii) a permanent population (iii) a defined territory (iv) having capability to maintain cooperation/relations with other sovereign states.[1]
This article examines three factors deeply affected by a long-lasting conflict between Palestinians and Israelis whose are divided into three different phases are social economic, political and social security.
Introduction
These factors have not been completely fulfilled by Palestine’s and Israel’s for its recognition in the international community; those who think that this territory belongs to Palestine due to the religious historically background or Arab ethnicity, it is difficult to justify on the basis of facts and figures on the historical basis.
Historically, the territory of Palestine was conquered by Ancient Egyptians, Hittites, Philistines, Israelites, Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Romans, Muslim Arabs (636 AD), Crusaders (1099) Mamlukes (1250), Ottomans(1517), the British and Zionists.[2] Before World War 1, this territory was the part of Ottoman Empire and the majority of the population was Arabs with small Jewish population scattered among four towns which show people without a land for centuries seeking to get the historical land which they dream to get so long.
History is always written by the winners. Ottoman Empires who ruled over Palestine territory joined German allies against Britain in World War 1. In political perspective, if German and its allies lost their war the future of Palestine and rest of the territory would be decided by Britain and its allies. The German and its allies lost the war and Britain block decided to divide this region which makes the dream of Israelis became true with the help of winners block.
People who use to have control over the land under the Ottoman Empire become subject of seeking land under the domination of Israel and winners block, the pain of losing both powers of ruling and land make Palestinian more victim for the long-lasting conflict between Israel and Palestine,
Hajj (2017) explained that after Hamas another radical Sunni Islamist group is known “Fatah-al-Islam” was established in November 2006 in Lebanon (Palestinian refugee camp). In January 2006, Hamas get the majority of seats in Palestine Parliament and defeated ruling party Fatah-al-Islam and clashes between both groups were arise and still continuing.[3]
Kramer (2016) explained that during World War 1, a secret treaty is known “Sykes-Picot” was signed between Great Britain, France and USSR in 1916 to mutually influence and control in Southwestern Asia. In this context, Middle East region was divided into three mandates, Southeastern Turkey, Northern Iraq, Syria and Lebanon went French mandate, Britain takes control over Southern and Central Mesopotamia and Palestine while USSR gets Istanbul, the Turkish Straits and Armenia.[4]
In the light of “Sykes-Picot” treaty; In 1917 Arthur Balfour wrote a letter to the British government to create a new state for Jews in Palestinian. On 9th September 1947, United Nation adopted resolution 181 (Partition Resolution) that would divide Palestine into two parts, Jews and Arab states in 1948. The head of the Jewish Agency, Mr. David Ben Gurion announced the establishment of Israel State on 14th May 1948 and the President of United State of America Mr. Harry S. Truman recognized this new state on the same day.[5]
Gause (2014) described that Khomeini’s dream of expansion of revolution in the Middle East was failing; however, in 2005 President Ahmadinejad takes over the government and re-continued Imam Khomeini’s policies in the domestic politics of other states. In this context, Iraq and USA war provided a way to Iran for interference in Iraqi’s and Palestine’s domestic politics. On the other hand, Israel feels threat if they cannot play a role Iranian power will lead in the Arab World.[6]
Hroub (2010) explained that after the creation of Israel; Hamas was created in 1987 which was the result of Egypt’s Muslim brotherhood movement [It was Islamic religious, political and social movement organization that was founded in Ismailia, Egypt in March 1928 by Hassan al-Banna]. The methodology of Hamas to counter Israel was very suspicious because they used the shade of Islam for gaining power. During the period of 1990-2000, they involved numerous suicide bombings and other attacks against Israel.[7]
Migdalovitz (2005) explained that Prime Minister of Israel Mr. Sharon proclaimed that withdraw of Israel from Gaza Strip will be started on 17th August 2005 and will be completed this process until 23rd August. He further explained that the length of Gaza strip is 140 Sq. miles and it has approximately 8,500 Israeli’s and 1325,000 Palestinians. The occupation of Egypt in the Gaza Strip was at the end of the War (1948-49) but Egypt government did not claim the territory from 1949 to 1967. In the area of Golan Height, Gaza Strip, Sinai Peninsula and West Bank Israeli’s civilians started settlements and approximately 70% Israeli’s transferred from Gaza Strip to Palestine in 1994. In 18th December 2003, Israel Prime Minister Mr. Ariel Sharon stated that we did not engage Palestine if they stop terrorist activities and fulfill their commitments.[8]
Blair (2004) explained that sustainable changes i.e socioeconomic in Gaza will be done by combining efforts and long-term strategy. This socioeconomic strategy must highlight peace process; political issues including private sector investment, borders, governance, security, Initiative of Palestine Economy are ambitious plans to design the effect of transformative change and substantial growth in the Palestinian.[9]
Lewis (2003) explained that the clashes between two ideologies i.e. Jews and Muslims were started from centuries and still continue, but its fact that Jews were living in Arab before Islam. After Medina pact, mostly Jews were suffered and shifted from Medina to rest of the surrounding areas. That time Muslims were ruled over the Middle East but they failed to maintain their hegemony due to their internal clashes and last Ottoman Empire was disintegrated in WWI. The Jews which were suffered by Muslims tried hard to develop and protect their ideology/community. For this purpose, they needed to create a new state in Palestine territory which was a suitable place for Jews due to its deep roots link with their religion.[10]
Kinzer (2003) described in his book that the era of Prime Minister Mossadeq played a vital role to destabilize the relations of Iran with Western. Hence, Western tried to change his regime and Mohammad Reza Shah came into power again. The basic issue was the policies of Mossadeq which were totally against the West. His first step of nationalized the Iranian Oil companies was the slap of Western relations with Iran. In this context, with the help of CIA and MI5 Britain alliances successfully dissolve the Mossadeq government again Shah came into power. After the Iranian Revolution 1979, when Shah’s government dissolved, the threat was begun in Britain and its alliances. The war between Iraq and USA, Iranian fully support to Shia’s militia in Iraq against the USA. Iranian tried to extend their core operational net with their alliances, United National put sanction upon it to squeeze its worth.[11]
There is a big gap in studies on the issue of Israel and Palestine in the context of socio-economy, socio-politics and socio security role between Arab, Non-Arab (Iran) and Israel. The present situation of the Palestine is so critical due to proxy wars of Arab, Non-Arab countries. These countries including Iran did not have a capability to contain Israel due to its recognition in United Nation and that is the reason they are playing with the blood of innocent Palestinians. Throughout the conflict of Israel and Palestine; Arabs and Iran did not play a vital role to protect and develop Palestine till to date. They just supplying ammunition to the rebellions to attack Israel further they think that the developed Israel will be the threat of this region but actually developed Israel will not be the threat of Middle East it will be the balance of power in this region. The big issue in the Middle East is sectarianism and three big brothers (Iran, Saudi Arabia and Turkey) are responsible for creating this issue for maintaining their hegemony. Same is the case of Sunni extremist group Fatah-al-Islam, and Shia (Hamas) they wanting to gain power in Palestine. Both groups failed to establish central government and development of Palestine due to their personal clashes and that clashes are creating by Arab and Non-Arab. These proxy wars damaging the whole structure of Palestine, every day killing massive humans, socio-economically structure is totally damaged. People are suffering and looking towards UN to provide basic needs i.e. food, shelter, schools, hospitals, protections.
In Middle East region, there are three big brothers, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Turkey; they have strong economically structure and also have a good position in this region but they did not play a role in developing Palestine and still they failed to recognize the Palestine territory in United Nation because the independent state of Palestine will not be beneficial for them that is the reason this conflict was not resolved till to date. The Muslim brotherhood slogan is just a slogan actually when Ottoman Empire disintegrated lots of states emerged and each state tried hard to influence on this whole region in this context major role played by Egypt and now Saudi Arabia and Iran playing under the umbrella of Islam for the sake of their own interest, not for the sake of Muslim Ummah.
Now, the International community recognized the Israel as a sovereign state and all the sovereign states bound to follow the rules and regulations of the International law. On the basis of International law, the phenomena which are spreading by Arabs and Non-Arab regarding Israel is not a sovereign state is clarifying that they are violating the International law for the sake of their own interest. By this ideology Arabs and non-Arab creating an anarchy situation not only in Palestine but all over the world and the message which they are spreading in the world “Islam is extremist religion”.
Now the role of Israel in the development of Palestine is quite impressive rather than Arabs and Non-Arab. The Arabs and Non-Arab country use the innocent Palestine peoples as a shield to create the threat for Israel but the development in Palestine especially Gaza Strip, Sinai and West bank is still continuing with the help of UN, PA and other international organizations but rebellions which have an economically militarily support from Arab and Non-Arab trying hard to stop these projects which were beneficial for Palestine peoples. The numerous rehabilitation projects were launched by Israel in Gaza Strip in 2014 and the mechanism which is used “Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories” (COGAT). In this mechanism, main focus on two major issues (i) renovation of homes and public establishment (ii) protect the security of Israel. With the collaboration of UN Inspectors, these projects are working in Gaza Strip because UN Inspectors focusing each and every situation of the projects. In 2015, 17th February 2015 Maj. Gen. Yoav Poly Mordechai further promoted the idea of reconstruction of Gaza Strip. He expanded agricultural and industrial exports from Gaza i.e. the product of textile, furniture and more and the number of merchants permitted to enter the West Bank and Israel from Gaza to engage in commerce approximately (400-800) for promoting projects related to reconstruction and agricultural exports from Gaza to West bank and Jerusalem. The businessmen from Gaza have been permitted to enter the West bank and Israel for commerce, as well as family visits for residents above the age of 60. By this mechanism, the residents of the Gaza Strip have also been permitted to attend prayers at the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.
So far, as a part of the reconstruction mechanism, over 62,000 tones of construction supplies have entered the Gaza Strip via the Kerem Shalom Crossing. In addition, 43,000 Gaza residents have purchased materials for the reconstruction of their homes, a process which is ongoing. Furthermore, 50 trucks and 15 buses have been transferred into the Gaza Strip. In 2005, almost 2 million tones of construction materials were shifted in Gaza and further expanded the capacity of this material which is reached at $10 Million. For the reconstruction effort, Israel allowed the movement of relevant professionals and engineers between Gaza and Israel or the West Bank for rebuild houses, schools, clinics and infrastructure projects.
All these projects funded by the International Organizations, foreign states the PA and private elements. On the other hand, Hamas tried hard to diverted massive amounts of aid and imported goods for use in its terrorist infrastructure.
For instance, building materials worth tens of millions of dollars were diverted for the construction of Hamas’ cross-border tunnels, which were used to attack Israel during the summer 2014 conflict. Hamas continues to pursue its efforts to rearm, expand its rocket arsenal and construct the infrastructure it plans to use in its next attack on Israel. Furthermore, due to upgrading the borders security Israel allow up to 800 truckloads of building materials and other goods in the daily basis to enter Gaza Strip.
Conclusion
Due to the strong position of Hamas in Palestine; they need collaboration with Israel to make central government in Palestine because Israel has a strong position i.e. economically, socially and politically to stabilize the Palestine also played a vital role for the recognition of Palestine rather than Arabs and Non-Arab.
Israel is not only one state it has fully support of Eastern countries and at this stage, any aggressive behavior from Hamas towards Israel will create more complexity between them. The present crisis of the Middle East showing that these Arabs and Non-Arab are not in a position to resolve their own conflicts; now Hamas needs to change their policy towards Israel if they want to recognize its nation.
Hamas should decide that who playing a role for the stability of Palestine; in this context, they need to well come Israel’s development projects and try to protect and make a collaboration for re-develop all structure because without Israel’s support they cannot be survived in future. The recognition of Palestine in international community without the support of Israel will not be done so, at this stage when Arabs and Non-Arab which are already in the critical situation, especially radical Islamic movements, Hamas should shake hand with Israel for protecting Palestine.
Last but not least, if Hamas cannot change their aggressive behavior towards Israel then, Israel should change policy and restructure Palestine territory; they need to cover more territory of Palestine especially in central areas whereas Hamas is in position. Secondly, cut off supply lines of Hamas from Arabs and with the support of the neutral public, those are not supporting to Hamas and nor Fatah-al-Islam and recognized a Palestine State under Israel Jurisdiction.
References
Bernard Lewis, “What Went Wrong? The clash between Islam and Modernity in the Middle,” Oxford University Press (2003).
Carol Migdalovitz, “CRS Report for Congress Israel’s Disengagement from Gaza”, Congressional Research Service ˜ The Library of Congress (2005)
http://file.setav.org/Files/Pdf/israels-disengagement-from-gaza-crs-2005.pdf
Dr. Safdar Mahmood, “International Affairs” JBD Press, Rawalpindi (2006)p: 158-160.\
Nadya Hajj, “Protection Amid Chaos: The Creation of Property Rights in Palestinian Refugee Camps,” Columbia University Press (2017).
http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.7312/hajj18062
- Gregory Gause III, “Beyond Sectarianism: The New Middle East Cold War,” Brooking Doha Centre, no.11 (2014).
Khaled Hroub, “Hamas: A Beginner’s Guide,” Pluto Press (2010)
http://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt183p4vc
Martin Kramer, “The Middle East Sykes-Picot and the Zionists,” Harvard.edu (2016).
http://scholar.harvard.edu/files/martinkramer/files/sykes-picot_and_the_zionists.pdf
Nazih N. Ayubi, Over-Stating the Arab State, (London: I.B.Tauris, 1995), 21-125
Stephen Kinzer, “All the Shah’s Men: An American Coup and the Roots of Middle East Terror”, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons Press, (2003), 01-47.
“Treaties and Other International Agreements of the United States of America 1776-1949”, Department of State Publication 8484, Compiled vol. 3 Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1969, http://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/intam03.asp
Tony Blair, “Gaza: Opportunities for Reconstruction and Economic Development”, Office of the quartet representative (2014).
http://blair.3cdn.net/89e0804b46b2fe5494_84m6bekir.pdf
[1]“Treaties and Other International Agreements of the United States of America 1776-1949”, Department of State Publication 8484, Compiled vol. 3 Washington, DC : Government Printing Office, 1969,
http://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/intam03.asp
[2] Dr. Safdar Mahmood, “International Affairs” JBD Press, Rawalpindi (2006)p: 158-160.
[3] Nadya Hajj, “Protection Amid Chaos: The Creation of Property Rights in Palestinian Refugee Camps,” Columbia University Press (2017).
http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.7312/hajj18062
[4]Nazih N. Ayubi, Over-Stating the Arab State, (London: I.B.Tauris,1995), 21-125
[5]Martin Kramer, “The Middle East Sykes-Picot and the Zionists,” Harvard.edu (2016).
http://scholar.harvard.edu/files/martinkramer/files/sykes-picot_and_the_zionists.pdf
[6]F. Gregory Gause III, “Beyond Sectarianism: The New Middle East Cold War,” Brooking Doha Centre, no.11 (2014).
[7]Khaled Hroub, “Hamas: A Beginner’s Guide,” Pluto Press (2010)
http://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt183p4vc
[8]Carol Migdalovitz, “CRS Report for Congress Israel’s Disengagement from Gaza”, Congressional Research Service ˜ The Library of Congress (2005)
http://file.setav.org/Files/Pdf/israels-disengagement-from-gaza-crs-2005.pdf
[9]Tony Blair, “Gaza: Opportunities for Reconstruction and Economic Development”, Office of the quartet representative (2014).
http://blair.3cdn.net/89e0804b46b2fe5494_84m6bekir.pdf
[10] Bernard Lewis, “What Went Wrong? The clash between Islam and Modernity in the Middle,” Oxford University Press (2003).
[11]Stephen Kinzer, “All the Shah’s Men: An American Coup and the Roots of Middle East Terror”, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons Press, (2003), 01-47.