Unsurprisingly, Israel has decided to use the holy month of
Ramadan to break all the rules of decency and commit egregious human rights
violations.
اضافة اعلان
On the morning of April 15, Israeli troops stormed Al Aqsa
Mosque, injuring over 150 and arresting many others. Gas grenades and rubber
bullets were to be found all over Islam’s third holiest site. Further to the
north, the occupation forces engaged in repeated raids in the impoverished
Jenin refugee camp, where an Israeli invasion in 2002 resulted in 52
Palestinian deaths (half of them civilians) and the destruction of the camp.
The vicious cycle of Israeli oppression continues as the
world ignores Palestinian screams. Many see the recent Israeli attacks on
sensitive sites in this particular month as an attempt to demoralize the
Palestinians.
This could not be further from the truth. The noble
Palestinian people have continued to resist in spite of seven decades of
murder, expulsion, torture, discrimination and exploitation. The recent Israeli
provocations will not stop the Palestinians’ resistance. On the contrary, it
will only reinvigorate the spirit of defiance that characterizes their
honorable struggle.
The Zionists who have been attempting to subjugate the
Palestinians for so long know this better than anyone. Their actions are
clearly designed to provoke the Palestinians, to elicit a reaction and create a
casus belli for sinister future plans.
The recent attacks are almost identical to the offences
against Palestinians last year. Repeated acts of violence in Jerusalem elicited
a response from Hamas militants, which Israel used as an excuse for a brutal
bombing campaign in Gaza. Israel claims that these are necessary security
measures, but this is a massive falsehood. Hamas’s fireworks do not compare to
Israel’s advanced military technology. Only 13 Israelis were killed during last
May’s hostilities, compared to a whopping 238 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
Of these 238 deaths, around half were women and children. Since there is no logic
in the Israeli claim, there has to be an ulterior motive to the violence.
Last year’s clashes seem to have been caused by a desire to
be popular than a grand plot against Palestinians. Then sitting prime minister
Benjamin Netanyahu was unable to form a majority in the Knesset after four
elections in two years. Despite a combined 15 years in power, another election
was critical for Netanyahu. He was fighting corruption charges and figured that
a petition for immunity from prosecution was the way to quell the threat. Half
of the members of Knesset have to approve this, so for Netanyahu, the election
was an attempt to keep power and liberty all at once.
The recent Israeli provocations will not stop the Palestinians’ resistance. On the contrary, it will only reinvigorate the spirit of defiance that characterizes their honorable struggle.
Thus, he resorted to a cheap populist tactic. Triggering a
new conflict with the Palestinians would, Netanyahu thought, scare many into
voting for him. After all, people go for the safer option in times of
uncertainty.
The anti-Arab vitriol appeals to right-wing voters,
principally settlers in the West Bank, many of whom with a penchant for
attacking Palestinians.
Hundreds of deaths and thousands of missiles dropped later,
this manufactured war failed to produce the desired result. The presence of
social media meant that the Palestinian perspective was, for once, afforded
decent coverage, harming public opinion of Israel.
Opposition politicians viewed this as irresponsible, and
Netanyahu was pushed out of power, getting rid of one of the most hostile
Zionists. But are his replacements any better?
After much negotiation, a coalition was formed. The deal
involved two prime ministers splitting a four -year term. Currently serving
Naftali Bennett is a member of the religious right, while Yair Lapid, who will
begin serving in 2023, leans more to the center. What they have in common is
their unbridled Zionism and disregard for Palestinian rights.
When he entered office last year, Bennett promised to build
no new settlements nor annex any more territory. Yet last October he announced
plans to build 1,300 settler homes in the West Bank; 3,400 homes were approved
this January.
Prior to becoming Israel’s leader, Bennett was known for his
strong opposition to a Palestinian state, which he has called a “disaster” and
“pointless”. In 2013, he suggested an Israeli annexation of Area C (62 percent
of the West Bank), an Egyptian annexation of Gaza and a Palestinian-led
government in the tiny stretches of land in areas A and B, which would be a
demilitarized enclave under the security umbrella of Israeli forces. Worst of
all, these were his more lenient views, for in 2016, he declared that Israelis
must sacrifice their lives for the annexation of the entire West Bank.
Lapid is not as extreme, but still advocates for the
complete annexation of Jerusalem and large settlement blocs, in addition to a
demilitarized Palestinian state.
The bottom line is they both seek to steal internationally
recognized Palestinian land. Given this, it is reasonable to say that these
recent incitements are planned.
If Israel induces a Palestinian response, it can use this as
a reason to launch a large-scale operation and annex more territory.
Netanyahu’s mistake was that he began hostilities when the
whole world was watching. Now that the international community is distracted
with Ukraine, it is prime time for Israel to attack.
How can this be prevented? Last year, it was Palestinians
making their voices heard that brought Israel condemnation. Criticism of
Israel, although still a risky business, has become more normalized than ever.
If young activists continue to make use of online platforms and take advantage
of higher education, the international community may have to respond. After
all, this strategy proved effective for the Black Lives Matter protests, and
prominence in media is a big factor in maintaining Zionism’s reign of terror.
Perhaps a parallel can be drawn between Ukraine and
Palestine: smaller countries fighting a battle against villainous aggression.
Driving home this point may wake up observers abroad. One fact is certain
though: if need be, Palestinians will continue their resistance until Judgement
Day.
Mohammad Rasoul Kailani is a writer and first year student
at the University of Toronto. Amongst various other topics, his interests are
in Middle Eastern affairs.
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