The Palestine Debacle

By

Paul I. Adujie
New York, United States
 

Britain called it unlawful and counterproductive and America tersely called it troubling, these are some of the reactions to the continued targeted killing of leaders of Palestine's HAMAS which culminated in missile killing on Saturday, of Dr. Rantisi; Today, the new leader of Hamas, Dr. Abdel Aziz Rantisi, who a few weeks ago, replaced another one, Sheik Ahmed Yassi, who himself, was killed by Israel as well, killed, in earlier missile attack.

Palestinians now say, it will declare an all out war, this is against the backdrop a major policy shift by America and Israel on Wednesday, April 14, 2004 at the White House, they summarily changed the hitherto multilateral peace plan, which was supported by the UN, EU and everyone else; President Bush, gave a ringing endorsement to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of Israel's announced plans to pull out of Gaza and part of West Bank, the blessing that Bush gave was a affront to Palestine and all those interested in finding  lasting peace between Palestine and Israel, all by extension, all of the Middle East.

It is becoming clearer, that there are two wars, two sets of occupations, one in Palestine and the other in Iraq, these wars and occupations are being undertaken by two nations that are intertwined in every way, with common interests, interests, that are now being pursued with the same tools and methods; Occupation and expansion of settlements in Palestine territory, have now be tilted in favor of Mr. Sharon, the Israeli Prime Minister, with Bush's ostentatious approval and ringing endorsements. The contemplated action by Israel, now approved and supported by America,
are complete disregard, for the rights of Palestinians, complete disregard for the UN, the European Union and all lovers of peace, these actions are turning international law, conventions and diplomacy on their heads, and  these leaves many unanswered questions; Worse, the right of Palestinian refugees to return to their homeland, that was annexed for Israel in 1948, has now been jettisoned and repudiated from the peace process. What options are left for Palestinians? What do Palestinians deserve?

The now neglected, pulverized and disrespected, Arafat or the more forceful Hamas leaders, who are being eliminated by the minute.. Arafat has been under house arrest for several years now, Arafat's compound has been repeatedly bombarded and a good portion of it, bulldozed by Israel; The world seems to have turned a complete blind eye on the plight of the people of Palestine. Are those who condemn the desperate acts of suicide bombing, willing to
condemn "targeted killings"? These are extra-judicial killings, are clearly a complete negation of due process and the rule of law! The accelerated pace of these targeted killings by Israel, leaves one to wonder, what  the difference is, between Israeli targeted killings and the suicide bombings that arises from Palestinian hopelessness? Israel is a duly constituted  government, why would a legitimate government not seek to arrest and try those who violate its laws? Instead of seeking to mete out punishments, completely outside the law, due process and the rule of law? How does Israel create the distinctions, between its actions of targeted killings, and the suicide bombings, engaged in by some Palestinians?

For several years now, America and Israel would not deal with Arafat, or Hamas, who would they deal with? Who should determine the rightful leadership for Palestine people? Outsiders from America and Israel? I think it is bad policy, for anyone to think that the only acceptable leadership for Palestine, are the one selected or preferred by non-Palestinians?

I think it is those, who would not negotiate with the less forceful Palestinians, that make the more forceful Palestinian more attractive, the killing of Dr. Rantisi, is most likely leading to an upsurge in the violence and retaliations and more revenge between Israel and Palestine. Anyone who believes, that the Palestine-Israel crises would be solved through
the flaunting of military might, is gravely mistaken! No amount of scorched-earth policy and targeted killings, would resolve these crises, only peaceful negotiations, negotiations with true commitments on all sides, and their well wishers, and only those who act as honest brokers, would be contributing meaningfully to the peace process.

It is very disconcerting, to learn of the latest targeted killing of a Palestine leader, by Israel, this act, is highly likely, to cause a degeneration of the already precarious situation between Palestine and Israel, there is now a probability of an escalation of hostilities, with the assassination of Dr. Rantisi, by Israel. What happens next? When will the
world stand up for Palestine?
 

What way to peace in the Middle East? Particularly, Palestine?

April 2004