The end of October concluded the annual commemoration of Black History month and, just as this rich legacy did not commence with the advent of Transatlantic Slavery, neither did the Palestinian/Israeli conflict begin on 7th October 2023. Without elaborating on already established historical facts, such as the Balfour Declaration in 1917 and subsequent formation of Israel in 1948 – more commonly referred to as An-Nakba (The Catastrophe) among the Arab and Muslim world – it is not at all difficult to expose the selective amnesia of some western governments, fervent in their support of what is rapidly becoming a genocide in Gaza.
What is, perhaps, less obvious is the hegemonic design that extends beyond the occupied Palestinian territories across the entire Middle East region:
“Today, in the modern digital world, the products are information, knowledge and technology. We are again turning the State of Israel into the vital route of the world through which will pass knowledge and bits along fiber optic cables that will link Asia and Europe,” said a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.” [1]
Additionally, and as recently as September, we witness more brazenly:
“Netanyahu made clear with his little map today what normalization really seeks: eliminating Palestine…from the region and legitimizing greater Israel, all with the blessing of Arab regimes…””[2]
Once again the world is arguably witnessing a nation state with hegemonic and genocidal tendencies akin to what occurred during WWII. Once again, echoes of the Sykes-Picot agreement that resulted in the carving up of the Middle East have resurfaced. What is even more alarming than these already stark concerns is the apparent Zionist undercurrent and ideology continuing to drive such destructive strategies. The displacement of Palestinians from their original homelands is the beginning – not finality – of such strategies. The above-mentioned General UN Assembly witnessed Netanyahu’s bellicose display and subsequent red-marker illustration of a proposed trade route stretching across the Arabian Peninsula. This plan is of course, subject to the normalisation of ties with Saudi Arabia who have understandably, since the start of the latest conflict, suspended discussions on the subject:
“Netanyahu used the maps in an attempt to illustrate the increasing number of Arab countries normalizing relations with Israel under the Abraham Accords brokered by the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump.
“There’s no question the Abraham Accords heralded the dawn of a new age of peace,” the Israeli prime minister said. “But I believe that we are at the cusp of an even more dramatic breakthrough, an historic peace between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Peace between Israel and Saudi Arabia will truly create a new Middle East.”” [3]
Reviving the concept of the famous Silk Road, a network of Eurasian trade routes that spanned 4,000 miles over a period of 1,500 years, appears to be the rationale behind the New Middle East plan, albeit along redrawn routes with Israel at the centre. Israel would act as the business conduit between East and West.[4]
Lessons from His-Story
It is perhaps, essential for all Middle Eastern nation states to err on the side of caution in light of the new plans Netanyahu is publicising. The annals of a more distant history provide a backdrop to existing plans for potential (and assumed) ‘reclamation’ of even more sacrosanct precincts in the region:
“Among the [Jewish] tribes that settled in Yathrib, the Bani al Nadir and the Bani Quraizah were more prominent for they belonged to the Cohen or priest class. They were looked upon as of noble descent and enjoyed religious leadership among their co-religionists. When they came to settle in Madinah there were some other tribes living there before, whom they subdued and became practically the owners of this green and fertile land…
…when they saw that the Aus and the Khazraj [tribes] and the Emigrants were uniting into a brotherhood and the people from the Arab tribes of the surrounding areas, who entered Islam, were also joining this Islamic Brotherhood of Madinah and forming a religious community, they feared that the selfish policy that they had been following of sowing discord between the Arab tribes for the promotion of their own well being and interests for centuries, would not work in the new system, but they would face a united front of the Arabs against which their intrigues and machinations would not succeed…
This they could not put up with. They feared that if this universal ideological movement gained momentum it would destroy their rigid religiosity and wipe out their racial nationhood… For these reasons they made resistance and opposition to the Holy Prophet their national ideal.” [5]
They were eventually expelled from Madinah after their treasonous plots were exposed during one of the most significant wars facing the fledgling Muslim community at the time; the Battle of the Trench.[6] The proposed and so-called New Middle East strategy is unlikely to satiate Zionist intentions to eradicate Gaza and the West Bank. The Yom Kippur/Ramadan or October War in 1973 between a coalition of Arab states and Israel witnessed the latter’s hegemonic intent to annex the Golan Heights and maintain control of the occupied Sinai Peninsula.[7] There is nothing to suggest today that such ambitions have disappeared. In fact, the opposite – expansionism – appears to be the course of action.
An authentic Prophetic narration foretold overarching imperialist and colonial designs to seize Muslim populated lands and few could deny its significance in 20th and, more recently, 21st century contexts. Muhammad (pbuh) prophesised:
“The nations are about to invite one another and come upon you just as those eating invite others to share in their meal.” Someone asked; “Will that be because we are few in number that day?” He [Muhammad] replied; “No, at that time you will be numerous…” [8]
Palestine and Iraq serve as validation of such premonitions.
State Legislated Terrorism vs. Insurgent Terrorism: Two Sides of the Same Coin?
R.D. Crelinstein provides an important and illustrative framework of societal drivers at state and civil society levels, each proceeding along opposite but parallel horizontal trajectories. Politics of the state are mirrored by interactive civil society protest as a result of undesirable legislation and policy emanating from the former (the government), with each parallel proceeding toward heightened states of conflict, the most extreme of which are state terrorism and/or insurgent terrorism respectively. This somewhat academic description is important at this point if an understanding – and comparison – are to be made between Netanyahu’s recent (state) address to his government and those of designated terrorists and/or their organisations (emerging among civil society).[9]
State Terrorism? On 29th October, Netanyahu’s live speech, aired globally, evoked memory of biblical tribe, the Amaleks:
“…you must remember what Amalek has done to you.” [10]
It is necessary to cite the complete Old Testament verse he alluded to so as to be under no illusion of what was being advocated toward Palestinians in Gaza and beyond:
“Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.
And Saul gathered the people together, and numbered them in Telaim, 200, 000 footmen, and 10,000 men of Judah.” [11]
It is no coincidence that the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) has drafted a record 300,000 reservists[12] to swell the ranks of the existing army in what is being condemned as a genocidal call to arms:
“Human rights defenders on Monday accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of an “explicit call to genocide” after he delivered a televised address calling Israel’s imminent invasion of Gaza a “holy mission” and invoked an ancient mythical foe whom the God of the Hebrew Bible commanded the Israelites to exterminate.” [13]
Civil Society (Insurgent) Terrorism? On 24th November 2002, the Guardian published Osama bin Laden’s ‘letter to America’. It comprised of responses to a number of questions that had been circulating in the media:
“Some American writers have published articles under the title ‘On what basis are we fighting?’ These articles have generated a number of responses, some of which adhered to the truth and were based on Islamic Law, and others which have not. Here we wanted to outline the truth – as an explanation and warning – hoping for Allah’s reward, seeking success and support from Him.
As for the first question: Why are we fighting and opposing you? The answer is very simple:
(1) Because you attacked us and continue to attack us.
a) You attacked us in Palestine:
(i) Palestine, which has sunk under military occupation for more than 80 years. The British handed over Palestine, with your help and your support, to the Jews, who have occupied it for more than 50 years; years overflowing with oppression, tyranny, crimes, killing, expulsion, destruction and devastation. The creation and continuation of Israel is one of the greatest crimes, and you are the leaders of its criminals. And of course there is no need to explain and prove the degree of American support for Israel. The creation of Israel is a crime which must be erased. Each and every person whose hands have become polluted in the contribution towards this crime must pay its price, and pay for it heavily.” [14]
Bin Laden continued:
(ii) It brings us both laughter and tears to see that you have not yet tired of repeating your fabricated lies that the Jews have a historical right to Palestine, as it was promised to them in the Torah. Anyone who disputes with them on this alleged fact is accused of anti-semitism. This is one of the most fallacious, widely-circulated fabrications in history. The people of Palestine are pure Arabs and original Semites. It is the Muslims who are the inheritors of Moses (peace be upon him) and the inheritors of the real Torah that has not been changed. Muslims believe in all of the Prophets, including Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon them all. If the followers of Moses have been promised a right to Palestine in the Torah, then the Muslims are the most worthy nation of this.
(iii) The blood pouring out of Palestine must be equally revenged. You must know that the Palestinians do not cry alone; their women are not widowed alone; their sons are not orphaned alone.” [15]
In comparison to the former state sanctioned speech of Netanyahu, bin Laden’s letter may appear to some in hindsight and context of the current conflict, more nuanced and indeed, understandable. Conversely, Netanyahu’s address could be considered far more extreme.
The Guardian’s decision 21 years ago to publish it unedited suggests others may have shared similar sentiments at the time, despite it being so soon after 9/11. Condemnation of those atrocious attacks were resounding – and rightly so. However, expectations that Muslims always commence by condemning coreligionist’s extreme actions, as a caveat before any discussion of atrocities committed generationally against their own populations, are moot. Such conversations should no longer be preceded by these conditions, particularly in view of the double standards unashamedly supported and reinforced legislatively at government level.
Conclusion
To emphasise the above point, while Jan Egeland, Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council warned that displacing 1.2 million Palestinians would amount to a war crime, the UK government was reviewing whether to ban the displaying of Palestinian flags during demonstrations. In addition to this apparently anti-Palestinian sentiment, the legality of public use of the term, Jihad, has also been questioned, with the Met Police being challenged as to why no arrests were made when it was recently used during protests. The labelling of the Palestinian song, From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be free, as anti-Semitic and offensive is yet another example of the government’s cognitive bias towards one community and apparent tone deafness regarding another.[16] In an effort to avoid committing offence however, an alternative freedom song could be adopted. ‘The Exodus Song’ (also called, The Land is Mine) is apt, being a South Africa freedom song. The lyrics should resonate since this is another society that experienced apartheid akin to the type of repression witnessed in Gaza and the West Bank today:
“This land is mine God gave this land to me
This brave this golden land to me
And when the morning sun reveals her hills and plain
I see a land where children can run free
So take my hand and walk this land with me
And walk this lovely (golden) land with me
Though I am just a man when you are by my side
With (by) God’s own hand I know I can be strong
So take my hand and walk this land with me
And walk this lovely (golden) land with me
Though I am just a man when you are by my side
With (by) God’s own hand I know I can be strong
To make this land our home
If I must fight I’ll fight to make this land our own
Until I die this land is mine.” [17]
[1] AAPI: ‘Israel Leverages Abraham Accords To Become ‘Global Communications Power’, Abraham Accords Peace Institute, 12th June 2023: https://www.aapeaceinstitute.org/latest/israel-leverages-abraham-accords-to-become-global-communications-power
[2] Wilkins, B: ‘Netanyahu Shows Map of ‘New Middle East’ – Without Palestine – to UN Assembly,’ Common Dreams, 22nd September 2023: https://www.commondreams.org/news/netanyahu-map
[3] Ibid
[4] Wikipedia: ‘Silk Road’ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silk_Road [accessed 2nd November 2023]
[5] Quran.com: ‘Chapter, Al-Hashr (The Gathering)’: https://quran.com/surah/al-hashr/info (accessed 2nd November 2023)
[6] Ibid
[7] Yom Kippur War: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yom_Kippur_War
[8] Sunan Collection of Hadeeth; Abi Dawud, no. 4297. Graded Hasan (fair) according to Al-Arna’ut.
[9] Crelinsten, R. D: ‘Analysing Terrorism and Counter-terrorism: A Communication Model’, 2002, Terrorism and Political Violence,14: 2,77 – 122
[10] Wilkins, B: ‘Netanyahu Accused of ‘Genocidal Intentions’ in Gaza After ‘Holy Mission’ Speech,’ Common Dreams, 30th October 2023: https://www.commondreams.org/news/netanyahu-genocide
[11] The Bible, 1 Samuel, 15: 3
[12] Reuters: ‘Israel drafts 300,000 reservists as it goes on the offensive,’ 9th October 2023: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-drafts-300000-reservists-it-goes-offensive-2023-10-09/#:~:text=JERUSALEM%2C%20Oct%209%20(Reuters),military%20spokesperson%20said%20on%20Monday
[13] Wilkins, B: ‘Netanyahu Accused of ‘Genocidal Intentions’ in Gaza After ‘Holy Mission’ Speech,’ Common Dreams, 30th October 2023: https://www.commondreams.org/news/netanyahu-genocide
[14] Worldview: ‘Full Text: bin Laden’s ‘letter to America’, The Guardian, 24th November 2002: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2002/nov/24/theobserver?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
[15] Ibid
[16] PA News Agency: ‘Chant ‘from river to the sea’ deeply offensive to many, says Downing Street,’ Surrey Comet, 30th October 2023: https://www.surreycomet.co.uk/news/national/23888747.chant-from-river-sea-deeply-offensive-many-says-downing-street/
[17] The Exodus (The Land is Mine), performed by Pat Boone and composed by Ernest Gold: https://www.google.com/search?q=this+land+is+mine+lyrics&client=safari&sca_esv=578828967&hl=en-sa&ei=yq1DZaXuNp-ShbIPldyxsAc&oq=south+africa+freedom+song+the+land+is+mine+lyrics&gs_lp=EhNtb2JpbGUtZ3dzLXdpei1zZXJwIjFzb3V0aCBhZnJpY2EgZnJlZWRvbSBzb25nIHRoZSBsYW5kIGlzIG1pbmUgbHlyaWNzKgIIAzIKEAAYRxjWBBiwAzIKEAAYRxjWBBiwAzIKEAAYRxjWBBiwAzIKEAAYRxjWBBiwAzIKEAAYRxjWBBiwAzIKEAAYRxjWBBiwAzIKEAAYRxjWBBiwAzIKEAAYRxjWBBiwA0jqH1AAWABwAXgBkAEAmAEAoAEAqgEAuAEByAEA4gMEGAAgQYgGAZAGCA&sclient=mobile-gws-wiz-serp
