Salman Latif’s timely comment on the current crisis.
In a vicious attack, defying all humane obligations, Israeli naval forces attacked a flotilla heading Gaza-wards with its 10,000 tonnes supplies of humanitarian aid. The Israeli commandoes descended on the boats while they were still in the international waters, killing some 19 personnel, unarmed and declaredly sailing to Gaza solely for humanitarian activities. Not only was it a breach of international law, it also depicted the violation of human rights by killing unarmed civilians. With yet again another pre-emptive and disproportionate retaliation, Israel continues the now-three-year-long siege of the region, severely disrupting daily life and resulting in many acute problems for the residents.
Back in 2006, when a Hamas-led government was elected by the Palestinians, it was a golden opportunity for the international community to bring the organization into the fold of legal recognition. Not only would it have persuaded Hamas to give up its militant outfit gradually, it’d also have assured the Palestinians that their plight is heard and realized, democratically. But what we witnessed was sheer hypocrisy both from the West and Israel who clearly refused to admit the democratic position of the party and always nudged away from the possibility of accepting it as the elected representative of the people of Gaza. As much as the arrogance of this policy, it was also a huge strategic mistake. Not only did it lend currency to Hamas’ militant tactics and efforts, it also brought them even more mass popularity in the region which is not a surprise since the Palestinians were explicitly told by the international community that there only choices were either to elect the pro-Israel camp or else, take the course they had long followed – Intifada.
Now that the siege of Gaza makes three years, the circumstances are even worse. The Israeli blockade of all movement into and out of Gaza, termed inhuman by many nations and international organizations, continues unabated. The siege has caused severe problems for the residents of Gaza including acute shortages of food and other daily-use items. International community seems to be gradually realizing the rigidity of the Zionist state in denying all human rights to the inhabitants of Gaza. In fact, the attack on Gaza strip in 2008 only re-asserted it, with HR organizations accusing Israel of having used phosphorous bombs during the attack. This policy of pre-emptive and disproportionate retaliation has incurred huge loss of human lives, including innocent children.
US, however, still seems unwilling to push the limits with Israel, always taking a soft corner on any atrocity that’s been committed by the state thus far. In fact, analysts are anticipating the nature of a meeting scheduled this week between the Israeli PM and Barrack Obama, the US President. It remains to be seen what exactly would be the repercussions for Israel after such a bold attempt on a neutral convoy comprising many notable personalities. It’s also interesting to note here that the agenda of the meeting is actually to discuss the peace process in Middle East. Needless to say, the recent attack has immediately compromised all credibility on the part of Israel and clearly tells how willing it is to pursue the peace process.
Also, Turkey has come all out against the attack and has clearly registered its retaliation internationally. Israel needs to realize that such acts will only isolate it in the international community and if it does indeed look to a better future of mutual co-existence and peace, it needs to consider the plight of the Palestinians. Their basic right, that of representations by whomsoever they vote for, must not be confiscated. That path surely shall lead to militarization of the region and would further war-mongering. And if we don’t want more human lives to be lost on this holy land, solutions must be drawn through dialogue rather than military retaliations.
On a side-note, we must not forget that the Palestine issue also has connotations all around the Muslim world. It’s been used popularly by religious zealots to fan religious militarism and gather followers around the stage of political Islam and has been an active ingredient in arousing them for Jihad. Once this is understood, we realize the urgency of solving this problem if we want to overhaul the Muslim world out of the degeneracy of extremism and fanaticism that currently grips it.
Pak Tea House 
If Muslims can present peaceful, tolerant, inspiring, rational, loving Islam to the non-Muslims in Western Europe and North American countries and win hearts and minds of tax payers of these countries, then and only then political leaders will listen to their citizens instead of lobbies of Israel and then put prssure on Israel and check her policies.
Global political and military pressure has started forcing Muslims to present Islam as peaceful, tolerant, inspiring, rational, loving religion.
If Muslims had not wasted last 100 years, all this injustice to Muslims in Palestine, and in other parts of the world could have been prevented.
Its much cheaper and easier for Muslims to present islam as peaceful, tolerant, inspiring, rational, loving than taking militant aproach.
English intellectual Barnad Shaw was expecting Islam will be dominant religion in Europe by end of 20th centuary. he said this after reading literature on islam produced in England and Europe by “former” Muslims.
Pakistan should give a joint response with all muslim countries to condemn Israel and place sanctions on Israel.
Government must bring back Talat Hussain, his team and other Pakistanis on board the ship.
This is a heinous act and should be condemned by all the countries; the fleet had some of the very notable personalities including noble prize winners.