It is time to rethink the Palestinian struggle

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. 

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