It is time to rethink the Palestinian struggle
Skip to main content
  • Home
  • Economy
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • World+Biz
  • Sports
  • Features
  • Epaper
  • More
    • Subscribe
    • COVID-19
    • Bangladesh
    • Splash
    • Videos
    • Games
    • Long Read
    • Infograph
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Thoughts
    • Podcast
    • Quiz
    • Tech
    • Archive
    • Trial By Trivia
    • Magazine
    • Supplement
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Monday
August 08, 2022

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Home
  • Economy
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • World+Biz
  • Sports
  • Features
  • Epaper
  • More
    • Subscribe
    • COVID-19
    • Bangladesh
    • Splash
    • Videos
    • Games
    • Long Read
    • Infograph
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Thoughts
    • Podcast
    • Quiz
    • Tech
    • Archive
    • Trial By Trivia
    • Magazine
    • Supplement
  • বাংলা
MONDAY, AUGUST 08, 2022
It is time to rethink the Palestinian struggle

Thoughts

Golam Towhid Al Kibria
02 June, 2021, 11:30 am
Last modified: 02 June, 2021, 01:25 pm

Related News

  • Israeli troops kill Palestinian woman in West Bank, say she attempted stabbing
  • Why Israel is afraid of Palestinian funerals
  • FIFA says it has no plans for 100-minute World Cup games
  • Project costs and time increasing for different reasons
  • Ukraine and Russia are discussing place and time for talks -Zelenskiy's spokesman

It is time to rethink the Palestinian struggle

Even after decades, the death toll continues to add and our focus refurbishes as and when this crisis occurs. We continue to analyse it for a few days and it fades into oblivion again

Golam Towhid Al Kibria
02 June, 2021, 11:30 am
Last modified: 02 June, 2021, 01:25 pm
Golam Towhid Al Kibria, Lt. Colonel. TBS Sketch.
Golam Towhid Al Kibria, Lt. Colonel. TBS Sketch.

The cry for Palestine continues. The latest aggression of Israel has not only stirred the Muslim community's empathy towards Palestinians but also has shaken humanity worldwide. Social media was taken by storm with the catchphrase: 'You don't have to be a Muslim to stand up for Palestine; you just need to be human.' Interestingly, many Christians and Jews were also showing compassion towards Palestinians. 

It goes without saying that while Muslims in Palestine are bombed by Israel, Muslims around the world will side with Palestine. Approximately 1.9 billion Muslims around the world is in no way a small community. There are even 30 Muslim majority countries; yet, Palestine bleeds for decades. 

Intended under the terms of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly Resolution 181 of 1947, the state of Israel was established on 15 May 1948; however, a Palestinian State is not yet recognised by many. Ever since the creation of the Jewish state, Palestinians have been fighting against what a UN investigator once described as Israel's ethnic cleansing.

Fifty-four years of military occupation, bombing, coercive atmosphere, discriminatory policy, home demolition, land theft, excessive use of force, arbitrary arrests, ill-treatment, torture, detention to jail without charge or trial, and settler colonialism by Israeli aggression on Palestine is the manifestation of UN's incapacity. It feels like there is no light at the end of the Israel-Palestine crisis tunnel.

Why isn't it possible to take actions against Israel? The UN is handcuffed by its structural error and veto seems to be the silver bullet in addressing the Israel-Palestine crisis. Whenever there is a resolution against Israel, the USA creates an impediment by vetoing in the Security Council (SC). The United States vetoed a total of 44 times till now in favour of Israel often blasting the SC's majority. This is just one example of Israel's strong coalition.

Muslims opt for coalition too; however, its outcome remains highly debatable. In recent history, major Arab states have joined forces in five major wars against the smaller state of Israel. Instead of achieving success, the coalition has lost valuable territory and Israel substantiated its gain by feasting on its recognition. It seems that winning a war against Israel is a long way off for Arab states. 

Streaks of light are seen as Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepts rockets launched from the Gaza Strip towards Israel. PHOTO: REUTERS
Streaks of light are seen as Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepts rockets launched from the Gaza Strip towards Israel. PHOTO: REUTERS

Why wouldn't that be? Unlike many Muslim countries, Israel is always at the top of its game. Its allies are battle-tested and the most powerful countries in the world are ready to support Israel in times of crisis. Interestingly, Biden's administration, allegedly, has approved $735 million worth of arms sales to Israel, amid Israel's bombardment of Gaza, says a Washington Post report. Its intelligence organisation, Mossad is perceived to be the best in the world. It is the country that manufactures some of the best weaponry, for instance the Merkava tank.

The Israel Defense Force (IDF) is considered to be one of the best in the realm of military power having operational nuclear arsenal capability since 1967. It has developed 'Iron Dome' and 'David's Sling', allegedly, best in the air defence business that can knock out a wide spectrum of threats ranging from drones attacks, artillery shells, rockets, and even state-of-the-art cruise missiles. 

The USA-Israel cooperation on multilayered missile defence technologies continues to advance, while Hamas repetitively targets Israel with ineffective rockets following a predictable recurrent strategy; although, the activity of Hamas has renewed sympathy of Muslims for Palestinians.

Hamas wants to discipline Israel; however, their weaponry, methods, strategy, and organisational capability are no match for Israel. In comparison to Israel, Hamas is just a 'Nidhiram Shardar' (Impotent Leader) with no shield and no sword.  From the last few incidents of escalated conflicts between Israel and Hamas, it has become evident that Hamas is barely capable of countering the military might of Israel.  

The point is, Israel cannot be defeated the way Palestinians or Hamas or the Muslim communities are striving. Even though democratically elected, Western world has the gall to label Hamas as a terrorist organisation and says Hamas's activities are giving excuses to Israel for using whatever means necessary to protect its territory and citizens.  

At the end, innocent Palestinians are paying the price with their lives. This is not an equal fight. This is not even asymmetric warfare; this is enticing self-destruction by poking Israeli warmongers. 

The people of the occupied state of Palestine are one of the most persecuted communities in today's world. Although all Muslim countries show solidarity for Palestinians; however, it is not unwise to question the sincerity of a few. Many Muslim nations are drenched in gold and oil while the Palestinians starve; suffer from the shortage of basic commodities, humanitarian aids, and medical supply. 

Israel can only be countered by intellectual superiority, science, technology, mastery of weaponry, doctrine, adaptive strategy, intelligence, surprise, knowledge-based reaction, and strong global support etc. Stones and rockets only breed religious sentiments, false sense of bravery and complacency; it can never resolve the problem entirely.

The Muslim nations need to unite to end this crisis once and for all. However, it is important to note that many Muslim countries maintain a mysterious alliance with Israel. How far these countries are willing to influence and force Israel for an amicable solution has been seen and felt over the years.

The intermittent conflict between Israel-Palestine is a constant worry. Even after decades, the death toll continues to add and our focus refurbishes as and when this crisis occurs. We continue to analyse it for a few days and it fades into oblivion again. Do we want someone to discuss this conflict as an ongoing crisis in the foreseeable future as well? It's time to ponder!


Golam Towhid Al Kibria is a graduate of Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP) as well as Army Command College, Nanjing, China. 


Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of The Business Standard

Time / rethink / Palestinian / struggle

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • TBS file photo
    Now 99% Bangladesh products come under China’s duty-free offer
  • Photo: TBS
    Production loss feared as zone-wise industrial weekly closure mulled 
  • Representational image. File Photo: Minhaj Uddin/TBS
    LC settlement fell by $1.17b in July

MOST VIEWED

  • Dr Sebastian Groh. Sketch: TBS
    An energy crisis remedy: Let us use the solar panels on our rooftops
  • Sketch: TBS
    How the lack of childcare centres is affecting women’s inclusion in the workforce
  • Kamal Uddin Mazumder. Sketch: TBS
    Rising foreign debt and balance of payments deficit: Does Bangladesh need to worry?
  • Infographic: TBS
    Rising foreign debt and balance of payments deficit: Does Bangladesh need to worry?
  • Memorandum for the record: 1971, the White House, and persuading Yahya ‘not to shoot Mujib’
    Memorandum for the record: 1971, the White House, and persuading Yahya ‘not to shoot Mujib’
  • Sketch: TBS
    Fifty years of earth resources satellites: Future uses in Bangladesh

Related News

  • Israeli troops kill Palestinian woman in West Bank, say she attempted stabbing
  • Why Israel is afraid of Palestinian funerals
  • FIFA says it has no plans for 100-minute World Cup games
  • Project costs and time increasing for different reasons
  • Ukraine and Russia are discussing place and time for talks -Zelenskiy's spokesman

Features

Safa Shareef’s bridal make-up: Contemporary with a ‘deshi’ touch

Safa Shareef’s bridal make-up: Contemporary with a ‘deshi’ touch

14h | Mode
Infograph: TBS

Why a drastic fuel price hike is dangerous

1d | Panorama
A fuel price hike to fuel agony

A fuel price hike to fuel agony

1d | Panorama
Kamal Uddin Mazumder. Sketch: TBS

Rising foreign debt and balance of payments deficit: Does Bangladesh need to worry?

1d | Thoughts

More Videos from TBS

How Google Maps operates in Bangladesh

How Google Maps operates in Bangladesh

3h | Videos
Is BPC really in loss?

Is BPC really in loss?

5h | Videos
Reasons behind Putin-Erdogan's meeting in Sochi

Reasons behind Putin-Erdogan's meeting in Sochi

9h | Videos
Dr Jamaluddin Ahmed talks about recent fuel price hike

Dr Jamaluddin Ahmed talks about recent fuel price hike

9h | Videos

Most Read

1
Diesel price hiked by Tk34 per litre, Octane by Tk46
Energy

Diesel price hiked by Tk34 per litre, Octane by Tk46

2
July remittance hits two-year high
Economy

July remittance hits two-year high

3
5,400 Bangladeshis get work visas to Romania
Migration

5,400 Bangladeshis get work visas to Romania

4
Housing projects sprouting up by Dhaka-Mawa expressway
Real Estate

Housing projects sprouting up by Dhaka-Mawa expressway

5
How banks made millions from volatile dollar 
Banking

How banks made millions from volatile dollar 

6
Infographic: TBS
Banking

Dollar rate will be left to market after two months: Governor

EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2022
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net