What Would Happen?

The last week has been quite frustrating for avid observers of the upcoming American Presidential elections. John Kerry continues to slide in the polls, and Republican assertions that he is a flip-flop on important issues appear to be quite genuine. Mr. Kerry has found it terribly difficult to articulate differences between himself and the incumbent President. Yet there is one issue he has never wavered on – his support for Israel.

On May 3rd of this year, John Kerry in a speech said the following, “And I want you to know this, as president, my promise to the people of Israel is this: I will never force Israel to make concessions that cost or compromise any of Israel’s security….” There are over forty pages of statements made on Israel in the last year, which can be found on the online Jewish library. The Jewish lobby groups have kept a close tab on this potential president and Israel should be pleased, Mr. Kerry promises to be the most pro-Israeli president in the history of America. Any candidate who dedicates a portion of every foreign policy speech to making clear his support for Israel, without criticism of policy of the latter that have helped inflame the current crisis, is biased and unfair to say the least. John Kerry, whose grandparents were Jewish, even insists that the “U.N. has been used as a sort of battering ram with respect to Israel.” This is the same Israel that has violated more U.N. resolutions than any country in the world, including Saddam Hussein’s Iraq.

John Kerry calls the ‘right of return’ a “non-starter” and supported unconditionally President Bush’s assertion that Palestinian refugees cannot return to their homes, a decision which prompted world-wide condemnation and bewilderment. He supports the ‘security fence’ that Israel is building and ignores the fact that the latter is yet again in breach of International law and helping displace hundreds of Palestinian families. Mr Kerry has even called Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, ‘a man of peace.’ This is the same Ariel Sharon who was held indirectly responsible for the massacres at Sahba and Shatila, who has strongly opposed every peace process including Oslo, and has previously expressed his view that the Palestinians should simply move to other Arab lands. Simply put, John Kerry has yet to voice a negative word about hostile Israeli policies, which any fair analyst of the Middle East would quickly have done. Let the world wake up to this reality that a change in administration will not result in a change in policy.

Fortunately, the Muslim world is going through a very interesting phase in its history – the moderate voices which have been suppressed for far too long under autocratic regimes-which gain much of their support from Islamic fundamentalists, are finally resonating. Every day their number grows, they are an active and motivated group hungry in their quest for reforms. The Internet has finally given the moderates a forum from which to voice their opinions, as this is one haven that the religious authorities have yet to censor. The Palestinians too, are discovering that to rely on the PLO – a corrupt and ineffective regime has not bore any fruit, nor has the intifada and the terrorist attacks that have come along with it. What the Muslim world collectively needs to realise and accept is that peace will not come with America’s help. America can never be a fair mediator and a quick look at the facts will prove this. Not discounting the influential Jewish lobby in Washington, America also provides Israel with 3 billion dollars of aid a year and countless military technology. Another less known fact is that Americans house 78% of the illegal settlements on the West Bank.

A couple of weeks ago, Mahatma Gandhi’s grandson visited Palestine as a guest of the Palestinian Prime Minister. Dr. Arun Gandhi, in an impassioned speech said, "What would it look like if there was something equivalent of the ’Salt March’? In 1930 my grandfather launched a salt march, and he marched for 247 miles along with tens of thousands of people following him … what would it look like if a group of leaders from Palestine would lead those 50,000 men, women and children in a march back to Palestine, and let the world know you’re coming back to your homes, not to a foreign country nor violating any country’s border." He continued, "Maybe the Israeli army would shoot and kill several people, they may kill a hundred or two hundred people; men, women and children, and that would shock the world, and the world would get up and say what’s going on? That’s the kind of electrifying action that needs to be taken."

What would happen? This is a question that Muslims world over should ponder over. The Israeli occupation has given the Muslims a chance that they have seldom had in their history, to unite as one – not in a bundle of hate, but in a bundle of fighting injustice with dignity and pride. Let’s take Mr. Gandhi’s idea even one step further. My friends picture this: A Day for Palestine, where Muslims and Non-Muslims all around the world, in Sydney, Beijing, Jakarta, New Delhi, Karachi, the Arab States, Paris, London, Rome, Mexico City, from New York to Los Angeles march peacefully in every city of every country. Picture a Day for Palestine, where those concerned about the occupation march in silence with candles in their hand, united as one. Imagine the demonstrations, timed perfectly to begin after sunset in Sydney and carry all around the world till they reach and end in Los Angeles. What would happen? For one, it would be the largest co-ordinated march in history and the bond that Muslim-Non Muslim will share that day will be priceless. The world will have an opportunity to view the Muslims as peaceful people, one impression that does not generall get across in the Western media. The possibilities are endless and maybe if a strong Muslim leader can initiate this, just maybe..... for one day we can all truly be behind our Palestinian brethren and offer them another way out. A day for Palestine, I ask you...

what would happen?