As the world witnesses another hideous episode in the asymmetrical war between Israel and the Palestinians, it should be borne in mind some truths in why this mindless, and endless conflict continues to go on.
Both Israeli and Palestinian peoples deserve the right to self-determination and yet at this point only Israel has this entitlement, due to historical reasons and circumstances, at the expense of the majority of Palestinian peoples, who have been subjugated by successive Israeli governments since the formation of Israel in 1948. This is a nuanced part of the history, helping some Israeli and indeed some Palestinians.
The moral argument is compelling for both peoples, the challenge is to find a political solution, which to date has proved elusive and protracted. It is pointless, apportioning blame just on one side, when fault lays with both sides.
The USA being a major financial, military backer of Israel, as part of the geopolitical machinations in the Middle East, must understand that to negotiate as an honest broker will require exercising even-handed negotiations, and power sharing, which presently don’t exist, due to a major power imbalance favouring Israel.
The Palestinian people have endured 56 years of occupation by Israel, and steady encroachment of illegal land grabs by new Israeli settlers on Palestinian lands has reached unprecedented levels.
Today the government of Netanyahu, considered the most right-wing government ever, consists of a coalition of extreme elements of ethno-nationalists, opposed to providing any Palestinian self-determination and equal rights.
On the Palestinian side in Gaza, Hamas is the governing authority.
Hamas are political Islamists and are on record for wanting the elimination of the state of Israel.
Objectively speaking, there is now two opposite extremes in government, both corrupt and driven to destroy the other. All the while ordinary Palestinian people continue to be collectively punished by Israel.
What is the solution?
As intractable as it appears, this conflict will at some point reach a humanitarian need to address the unresolved question of Palestinian self-determination, and hopefully statehood, demanded upon by the international community.
Each nation, people, must through the framework of genuine consistent democracy and justice negotiations, enable its people to live peacefully, while respectfully acknowledging the other’s right to exist and live peacefully.
Human solidarity, and democratic action remain vital for this noble goal to succeed, charting a new course for both Palestinian and Israeli people to peacefully co-exist.
Boyd Kellner
Newrybar
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