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Israel-Palestine issue has been existing for the past 75 years. This is an issue close to our hearts, because though India is neither directly involved or share borders with any of the countries involved, but it is still a fundamental issue we are also going through. It is one of the most illogical way a territory can be divided based on religious lines for governance just like how India was divided.
Should Palestine with its supporters find itself a place in the global value chain? One may say without resolving politics, economy can’t grow. At this point we should learn lessons from Taiwan. Taiwan as it is, is not recognised as a country, it is not a UN member nor does it have a voice in the UN. Still China is unable to annexe Taiwan. Taiwan has made itself strategically important through its microchip industries, such that if it were to fall, ripples would be felt immediately. This can only happen if one steps beyond their comfort zone of religious politics and place economic development at its forefront.
At the same time, you can’t have economics without resolving the political issue (Kashmir wasn’t promoted as a tourist hub until Article 370 was scrapped off). Nevertheless, terrorism is never a solution to resolve political issues. Terrorists regardless of why they were created or what is the cause they fighting for will always bring pain and misery, in most cases to innocent civilians. Terrorism as a tool did not win “Independence for Kashmir”, a separate “Khalistan State”, a self-governing “Tamil State”. Nor did it get us our independence from the British. The world is not and will never be set to function where it will bow down to a series of terrorist attacks and their demands, because if it did, humanity and system of governance will cease to exist.
It will be an uphill task for suppressed peoples voice to be heard, but that doesn’t mean it will never be. Ambedkar did not manage to secure the rights Dalits by attacking anyone. Instead, it was efforts channelled through limited “proper systems” in place that brought the plight of lower caste people to the limelight. Hamaz leaders as such should tap its potential using organizations like the league of Arab states, Gulf Cooperation council, Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Companies. If the Arab world can convince western countries to force Israel to allow the passage of humanitarian goods at a time of crisis, then surely it has the ability to bring economic prosperity to Gaza in times of peace and stability. If one has a will, there will always be a way.
2 state solution is the best possible solution, but will all the elements involved accept this idea? Is it possible with both sides strongly clinching on to the idea of a one state solution? One state means, the violent removal of the other race, which is exactly what both sides are pushing on currently.
Even if sound politicians come to a consensus for a 2-state solution, does that mean there will be no bloodshed and a humanitarian crisis? August 1947 partition was a “peaceful” exchange of political borders, but it was a human catastrophe. Even the process of creating 2 states, will bring misery to a certain fraction of people. And who gets to decide which fraction will go through that misery? We can argue that separation will bring lesser loss of human life, but ethicality should never be quantified.
Ethical values shouldn’t be expected from terrorists because they have committed themselves to a path of violence to make their point. But, should governments swoop down to their level? Yes, countries do have the right to defend themselves, but defence does not mean collective punishment. It should be rather “detect, deter and deny” for a peaceful co-existence. For example, following Operation blue star NSG was formed, following 26/11 NIA was formed to detect, deter and deny. India used diplomacy to place Pakistan on FATF grey list, carried out surgical strike on terrorist camps without harming civilians. Collective punishment should never be the solution, because ultimately it will trigger more resentment among innocents which will spiral down to further violence.
Israel should realise it is time for responsible governance here, which is it to re-commit itself to a 2-state solution. If its economy blockade of Gaza and illegal occupation of West Bank continues, it will be caught in a never-ending spiral of violence. Israel should realise, Camp-David Accords, Abraham Accord and Wadi-Araba treaty was commitment from the Arab nations for Israel’s right to exist. As such, Israel on its part must play a role in stabilising Palestine and vouch for its development and eventually be an example to the society on how humanity is beyond the clenches of religion.
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