Three years have passed since the beginning of the Aqsa Intifada
and still the violence escalates. Bystanders cheer and mourn the
victories and defeats of their party. The truth of the matter,
however, is that both sides are suffering alarmingly, and only the
percentages differ. The cycle of action and retaliation seems
never-ending. The price being paid by both sides is unendurable.
Both sides are not only tolerating financial, material and economic
losses but, even worse is the large-scale loss of human life -
regardless of identity, religion, or ethnic group.
Unfortunately, absolutely no effort is being given to planning a
brighter future for the peoples of this region. Rather, some are
planning the termination of life, scheming to force their enemy out
of his home, to label and isolate him. While this paints a very
gloomy picture, I do not want to suggest that intellectuals,
academics and all interested parties should cease to strive for a
better future. On the contrary, an allegiance must be formed where
political differences are left behind to arrive at a position based
on justice and recognizing legitimate human rights. There must be a
stance that admits the horrendous effects of collective punishment,
closures, sieges, raids, land confiscation, uprooting of trees, and
the daily humiliations - all policies which Israel practices on
Palestinians. Furthermore, this allegiance should recognize that
apartheid policies have never, nor will ever, result in coexistence
among nations. Such a policy begets only hatred.
We need to raise a united, strong voice that speaks out against
crime, against the abuse of innocent civilians, and that aspires to
justice. If Israelis insist on returning to this land, they must
also be able to acknowledge that Palestinians too have a clear
right to this land and reject what is termed the "alternative
homeland."
Israel claims to be relieving tension, but it has instead created a
carefully controlled prison where Palestinians are monitored and
movement is crippled. This prison is divided into tiny segments,
each with gates fiercely guarded by Israeli soldiers. As a result,
frustration amongst Palestinians has reached feverpoint. Israelis
have successfully managed to convert Palestinians into pressurized
time bombs, and Israeli policy has created a culture dominated by
violence. All these measures are counterproductive as they rob
Israeli citizens of peace of mind. The Israeli government has
created a cycle of violence with a very large circumference.
Generations of Palestinian children are inheriting an unacceptable
legacy. It is hard to conceive that a nation that is subjected
daily to systematic humiliation and denied basic human rights,
should be expected to present flowers to its persecutor. Random
checkpoints with no clear rules of passage prove that Israel has
adopted haphazardness as part of its policy. Now, with the infamous
"security fence" under construction, families and property are
being split, Palestinians must climb physical obstacles to go about
their daily life, doctors are denied passage , and the symbolic
"belts" have been tightened even further. It is clear that the
operations carried out by some Palestinian youths spring from
despair, frustration and hopelessness.
Israeli violence has so badly affected the Palestinian community
psychologically, socially and economically that it will need
decades to recover. A study conducted by the Treatment and
Rehabilitation Center for Victims of Torture (TRC) revealed that
54.4 percent of the Palestinian public in Ramallah alone suffers
from PTSD and 22 percent manifest symptoms of depression, anxiety
and stress related disorders. Both Palestinians and Israelis are
already feeling the results and future generations of Israelis will
have to bear the burden of the atrocities being carried out by
Israel today.
Ironically, one would expect Israelis to be more understanding as
they themselves have endured a history of persecution. It is
redundant to mention here that the roles have switched and the
persecuted have clearly become the persecutors. Understandably, a
recent poll in Europe [November, 2003] puts Israel high on the list
of countries that endanger security and threaten global stability.
Furthermore, the poll suggests that Israel is not only a threat to
global security, but to its own. It seems the world is waking up
and tolerance for Israel's actions is coming to an end.
Unfortunately, Israeli policies are causing heightened hatred for
Israelis, and citizens of Israel must bewary lest history repeat
itself. Resisting all forms of persecution and violence is a
collective responsibility. The Palestinians can no longer suffer
Israeli violence. Fighting this injustice is not their, or even a
regional, responsibility: It is an international responsibility.