This could be year for peace in Mideast

Nabati is a third-year political science student.

By Benjamin Nabati

We can only hope that 2002 will yield better results than 2001
did in the Israeli and Palestinian crisis.

This conflict, although primarily about land, is undeniably
about religion as well. Judaism and Islam share much in
common, including inherent elements of good will and peace in their
ideal forms and practice. Thus, it would behoove the followers
of each side to recognize this significant similarity.

At some point, there will have to be some resolution to the
conflict in the Middle East. The timing depends upon the
commitment of both sides, but more important, that each side
recognizes the other’s expectations and delivers in kind. It
is certainly a goal of Israel to reach some lasting accord with
Palestinians. 

But a recent point of conflict involving the seizure of a marine
arms transfer from Iran to Palestinian militants made this more
difficult. Accusations that Israel is attempting to highlight this
event to derail ongoing talks are ill-founded and unwarranted.

Israel’s demands on Palestine are identical to those by
India upon Pakistan. Last month, a group of Pakistani
terrorists seized upon the New Delhi Parliament compound in an
attempt to destroy it with explosives. Thankfully, the plan was
foiled, but a shoot-out with Indian security units resulted in the
death of fourteen. Since then, Indian officials have urged
President Musharraf to close down all known terrorist cells
operating from Pakistan, including Lashkar-e-Toiba and
Jaish-e-Mohammad.

First, it is necessary to realize that every nation has the
right and the duty to protect its citizens against foreign
intrusion and domestic peril. America’s ongoing war on
terrorism underscores this lesson vividly. For years to come,
Afghanistan may be the model for the need to eradicate virulent
elements and to revive enlightened ideals such as
self-determination of peoples, popular representation and the
advancement of economic condition. Where these ideals are
absent, events like those of Sept. 11 are bound to reoccur.

So it is with Israel and India. Palestine and Pakistan are
home to terrorist camps, epicenters of calamity upon
civilians. Israel has repeatedly urged Palestinian leadership
to eliminate violent factions that may harm the Israeli
population. In doing so, it has legitimated Yasser Arafat and
his cohorts as leaders of Palestine; the Oslo Peace Accords of
September 1993 did exactly the same.

Has Arafat responded with legitimate and responsible action in
light of Israel’s warranted demands? No, he has
not. He has arrested less than one-third of more than 30
militants that America and Israel have repeatedly demanded him to
imprison. In addition, his release of those imprisoned when
the coast is clear certainly does not help the situation.

He does not go after the chieftains of crime either. Such a move
would be unpopular. It is ridiculous to expect someone so concerned
with staying in power to arrest people that manifest the qualities
that many Palestinians, stormed by hateful words in the media and
education, regard highly.

In 1993, Yasser Arafat recognized the Israeli state after its
45th year in existence. Many within the more than 300 million
of the Muslim world still have trouble accepting a fact that has
been consented to in writing even by their brethren. And until
Israel recognizes the Palestinian plight and aids in establishing
its statehood, there will be no solution. 

The Palestinian public must realize that it is indeed their
leadership that has derailed any prospects for peace. Infiltrating
the people with propaganda through media outlets and textbooks is
the perfect antidote for accord. As Golda Meir, former Israeli
prime minister, once said, “Only when they love their
children more than they hate us will there be peace.” Pushing
young souls to escape their problems by blowing themselves up is
destructive to everyone and must stop immediately.

Arafat is a disingenuous, irresponsible nuisance. His sole goal
at all times is to remain in power. At every point in the history
of this crisis that he has seen the possibility of his power
eroding, he has hastily spoken the right words and taken the bare
minimum actions to perpetuate his reign. An awakening to the finer
things in life such as better education, economic opportunity and
moral and physical safety, could make the Palestinians who support
him now look at him in utter disdain.

Perhaps it is inadequate to just point fingers of blame when we
have a full year ahead of us to solve these problems. The first
order of business should be to arrest Palestinian
militants. Although Arafat is not to be fully delegated
command of this grave and daunting task, he should not be
completely shoved to the side either ““ his knowledge and
service may prove helpful to detaining culprits.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s demand for seven
days of serenity may prove impractical. Although it would be a
wonderful occurrence if realized, with tensions as high as they
are, Sharon would do well to use the relative quiet of the past two
weeks or so as a signal for progressing toward compromise.

As President George W. Bush stated following the Dec. 15 attacks
which left 25 dead and 200 injured, enemies of peace do reside
among Palestinian ranks. Intensification of terrorist strikes has
been a method of preempting further negotiation on the eve of such
summits.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair, addressing an Indian
delegation last week, compared the attack upon the Indian
parliament to an attack on democracy itself. Blair’s
sentiments represent the necessary global trend to replace terror
with civics. 

The goals in solving the crisis in the Holy Land should adhere
to this doctrine. There should be a continued campaign of
punishment and eradication of terrorist elements in Palestinian
society. Without this accomplishment, the tumult and murder
resulting from the Al-Aqsa intifada of the past 15 or so months
will persist.