By Sam Bahour
Al-Bireh, Palestine October 11,2000
Blood is being spilled. The
Arab World masses and governments are engaged. The world community
is fed up with yet another threat of war in the Middle East due to the
recurrent core issue of the Palestinians. Actions on the ground portray
the ugliness of our potential future. Tensions are threatening a rapidly
dwindling spiral of all-out-war which, if reached, will commission an
entirely new generation to being an Occupier and another being brought
up in a culture of Resistance. Israel, Mr. Barak, Mr. Clinton – are
you ready live with this reality for the rest of your lives.
Israel, you have one, and only
one choice – end your 33 year military and economic occupation of the
West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem as stipulated by numerous United
Nation resolutions and the collective will of the entire world. This
reality is better acknowledged by you, rather than be continually hung
on the world’s clothesline of injustice.
Israel, you are beyond saving
face for your actions during the last century. A moderate Palestinian
leadership tried its utmost, through the Oslo Peace Accords, to give
you an opportunity to exit the historic wrongdoing you have committed
upon the indigenous people of Palestine. You refused to implement Oslo.
During the peace talks you increased the illegal Israeli settlements
in the West Bank and Gaza at a mind-boggling rate, you kept an iron
fist policy on the Palestinian economy, you demolished Palestinian homes,
you confiscated even more Palestinian lands under the premise of creating
a settler road network, and you used, and are still using Palestinian
political prisoners as bargaining chips. In short, you humiliated an
entire people then you failed to seize the opportunity by them to forgive
and forget. Now you, and no one but you will have to face the raw facts
and deal with the consequences of your actions.
Israel, the 33-year refusal
to excersize your only choice has now potentially put your country and
your allies at a tremendous risk for years to come with your children
at the front lines. This is ironic given your historic preoccupation
with your need for security. Nevertheless, you and only you are responsible
for your actions. Now, you and your international ally, the United
States, must now live with this new reality because it is one of your
own making. We can only hope that your military-style pride will not
blind your common sense and that you have now learned, as expensive
as that lesson has now become, that your only choice must be rendered
without any further delay.
Israel, the cards are squarely
on your table. Your military machine can open multiple military fronts
and hope - - a defect hope in my opinion - - that the world remains
paralyzed to respond. Your prize here would be your ability to continue
an internationally exposed and denounced military and economic occupation
of the Palestinians, maybe for another half-century if you are really
successful. Israel, this is not an option but rather a death sentence
to the conscious of every Jew worldwide.
We either plan to literally
wipe each other off the map or minimize the outrageous damage that has
been perpetrated and come to our political senses. The decision is totally
yours. The upcoming Arab League Summit may be the last stop on this
treacherous road to war. Is the State of Israel finally ready to join
the Middle East? We will not enter the new millennium under Israel
occupation, thus, your time is limited and your choice is a single one.
Mr. Barak, your political career
is not a subject of history. Your military genius cannot override a
historic right of an indigenous people. Take your only choice and start
the difficult task of mending the wounds – the wounds of Israel’s own
soul.