Palestine: A land without People for People without Land!

By, Bachar Bakour

On October, 7, 2023, a surprise assault by Hamas on Israel occurred at dawn during the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah, involving gunmen breaching security barriers and a barrage of rockets fired from Gaza. This attack by Hamas followed incidents where Israeli settlers had stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and a record number of Palestinians had been killed by Israeli forces in 2023. Ever since, Israeli has been leading a brutal and aggressive attack on people of Gaza.

According to the latest data from the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the World Health Organization and the Palestinian government as of June 30, Israeli attacks have damaged:

• More than half of Gaza’s homes have been destroyed ordamaged
• 80 percent of commercial facilities
• 88 percent of school buildings
• 17 out of 35 hospitals are partially functioning
• 130 ambulances
• 267 places of worship

Every hour in Gaza: 15 people are killed – six are children, 35 people are injured, 42 bombs are dropped, 12 buildings are destroyed.

To understand this humanitarian crisis , I will  provide a historical overview of the Palestinian cause.   

The Palestinian cause is not merely a regional or religious issue but a significant humanitarian concern that resonates globally. Understanding this cause is essential for several reasons: 1. Humanitarian Concern: Empathizing with the Palestinian cause allows individuals to understand the profound human suffering and challenges faced by Palestinians, especially those living in conflict zones. It transcends religious and ethnic boundaries, urging us to recognize the universal principles of human rights and dignity. 2. Solidarity and Support: Awareness of the Palestinian cause often inspires action. Many supporters engage in political advocacy, make charitable donations, or participate in protests and rallies to stand in solidarity with Palestinians. This collective action is vital for voicing dissent and promoting justice. 3. Western Support for Israel: A critical aspect of the Palestinian issue is the unwavering backing and support that Israel receives from Western countries. Analyzing this dynamic is crucial to understanding the geopolitical and social implications that affect the lives of millions in the Middle East.

Historical Context and Occupation

To understand the present assault on Gaza, it is important to delve into its historical context. The creation of Israel in 1948 marked the beginning of a prolonged conflict characterized by occupation and displacement. This period is often traced back to the Balfour Declaration of 1917, where the British government endorsed the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine. This declaration, publicly announced by British Foreign Secretary Lord Arthur James Balfour to Lord Rothschild, was soon supported by other Allied powers, setting the stage for the eventual creation of the state of Israel. The establishment of Israel led to a series of conflicts and has been widely condemned for various human rights violations. These include mass killings, torture, arbitrary detention, systematic torture of prisoners, exploitation of natural resources, house demolitions, and dispossession. Such actions are frequently recognized as war crimes by international bodies like the UN General Assembly and Security Council. These atrocities highlight the severe humanitarian impact and underscore the importance of understanding and addressing the Palestinian cause. Further complicating the issue is the state of apartheid within Israel. The country has faced consistent accusations of institutional racism and apartheid from numerous international and domestic entities, including the US government, the United Nations, and the South African government, as well as Israeli political activists and academics. Since 1948, the national status and citizenship rights in Israel have been defined on racial grounds, leading to systemic discrimination against Arabs in various sectors, including education, healthcare, employment, and justice.

In 1987, the Jewish academic Uri Davis published a detailed work on racism in Israel: “Israel, An Apartheid State.” Davis exposed the inherent apartheid in the official structure of the Jewish State which has, since 1948, like South Africa, defined the national status and citizenship rights of its population on racial grounds.  He shows how, 90 percent of the State of Israel has been legally defined as land which only Jews can lease or cultivate. In every aspect of Israeli society, whether in terms of educational provision, access to medical care, employment rights, or treatment under the judicial system, Arabs suffer systematic and institutional discrimination and racism.

The internal critique of Israeli policies adds another layer of complexity to the Palestinian cause. Prominent figures such as Nahum Goldmann and Israel Shahak have voiced strong opposition to More importantly, Israeli policies. Goldmann, former president of the World Zionist Organization, condemned Israel’s use of the Holocaust to justify its actions. Shahak, a professor and human rights advocate, consistently exposed Israel’s expansionist, chauvinistic, and racist policies aimed at dominating the Arab populations, especially Palestinians. These internal criticisms reveal the diverse perspectives within Israel itself and underscore the need for a nuanced understanding of the conflict.

Why Do Most Western Countries Support the State of Israel?

The support of Western countries for the state of Israel is multifaceted, rooted in historical, political, and religious factors: First, the Balfour Declaration of 1917: One significant reason for Western support is historical, dating back to the Balfour Declaration of 1917. This declaration, made by the British government, endorsed the establishment of a “national home for the Jewish people” in Palestine. According to the eminent Egyptian thinker, Abdulwahaab al-Misiri, this was not merely a gesture of goodwill but also an attempt to address the “Jewish question” in Europe by encouraging Jewish emigration to Palestine. The underlying intention was to reduce the Jewish population in Europe, which many European countries perceived as a social and political challenge. Second, Israel as an Agent of Western Colonial Power: Another critical factor is the geopolitical strategy of Western powers in the Middle East. Israel is often seen as an extension of Western colonial interests in the region. Its establishment and continued support can be viewed as a means for Western countries to maintain a foothold in the Middle East, ensuring their strategic, economic, and political interests are safeguarded. This perspective positions Israel as a crucial ally in a volatile and resource-rich region, acting as a buffer against anti-Western sentiment and movements. Third, Christian Zionism: The influence of Christian Zionism also plays a significant role in Western support for Israel. This belief system, predominantly upheld by the Christian right (especially among Protestants), combines religious faith with political advocacy for Israel. Christian Zionists interpret the Bible in a way that justifies and demands support for the state of Israel. They believe that the establishment and perseverance of Israel are not only legitimate but divinely ordained. This interpretation of Biblical prophecy motivates significant political and financial support for Israel, especially from the United States. Christian Zionism believe in the Inerrancy of the Bible, which all comes from God as well as the literal interpretation of the Bible.

The political implications of Christian Zionism are as follows:

1. The belief that the Jews are God’s chosen people leads Christian Zionists to seek to bless Israel in every possible way. So this results in the uncritical endorsement of and justification for Israel’s racist and apartheid policies, in the media, among politicians
2. As God’s chosen people, the final restoration of the Jews to Israel is, actively encouraged and facilitated through partnerships between Christian organizations and the Jewish agency.
3. Eretz Israel, or the Promised Land, belongs exclusively to the Jewish people, therefore the land must be annexed and the settlement adopted and strengthened.
4. Jerusalem is regarded as the eternal and exclusive capital of the Jews, and cannot be shared with the Palestinians. Jerusalem (the city of David) and Mount Zion. In another expression, it is from the sacred texts that refer to Jerusalem, particularly the New Jerusalem on Mount Zion. It is from here that Christ will rule his earthly millennial kingdom.
5. Rebuilding Solomon’s Temple. To achieve this, the Al-Aqsa Mosque must be demolished.
6. Since Christian Zionists are convinced there will be an apocalyptic war between good and evil in the near future, there is no prospect for lasting peace between Jews and Arabs Armageddon (near Haifa). Indeed to advocate that Israel compromise with Islam or coexist with Palestinians is to identify with those destined to oppose God and Israel in the imminent battle of Armageddon. (Sizer, Stephen. Christian Zionism: road-map to Armageddon?. USA: IVP Academic, 2004. P. 252.)***

(The writer is Assistant Professor in the Department of Fundamental and Interdisciplinary Studies, AbdulHamid AbuSulayman Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences, International Islamic University Malaysia.)