Modern political history shows that some support from the opposite camp is an essential element in the success of any liberation struggle. This is applicable, ironically enough, in the case of the occupation of a land as well.
The Iraqi invasion of Kuwait turned out to be a total failure despite the Iraqi soldiers’ courage and dedication because Iraq failed to get any supporter from within Kuwait. On the other hand, Syria succeeded in continuing its hold over Lebanon over three decades because Syria could find supporters in Lebanon who welcomed its intervention.
It is also argued that without the change in the mindset of the colonial powers after the World War II many colonies would not have won their independence. Liberal thinking influenced several political leaders who came to power in European countries after the war. They sympathized with the sufferings of the people in the Third World. A section of the media, politicians and writers also encouraged the freedom fighters in the colonies while the local administrators there were striving to suppress the freedom movements. This trend was very clear in the Indian freedom struggle during the years after World War I. The cooperation and encouragement of the enlightened groups and individuals in London helped the Indians win their freedom from the British Empire. Even in the American War of Independence some British Parliament members supported the idea of granting freedom to the Americans. A lobby in support of the American independence was at work in London in those days. The history of the spread of Islam to Egypt shows that it was the oppressive Roman rule and people’s need for a liberator, rather than the valor of the conquering warriors, that made the Muslim invasion of Egypt easy. The principle also helps explain the developments in the present-day Iraq and Palestine. Only very few Iraqis support the resistance groups which kill dozens of people every day. On the contrary, their violent operations will serve only to prolong the occupation and debilitate the coalition partners in the government, and thus weaken their bargaining power with the Americans. The final result will be just the opposite of what the Iraqis wanted.
The story of the Palestinians is not different. There are peace-loving people in Israel who want Israel to quit all the occupied territories. The position of the forces of peace in Israel, however, would become weak whenever any Palestinian militant group launches an attack on civilians. Without the support from such Israeli forces the dream of peace and independent Palestine will never materialize. It is ludicrous that some Palestinian groups claim that it is solely because of their violent attacks that Israel left Gaza. This kind of thinking betrays a lack of understanding of the modern political and diplomatic maneuvers.
The Lebanese Hezbollah was able to win the support of major European countries during the Israeli occupation of Lebanese territories. It was largely with their support that Hezbollah managed to escape the US attempt to include it in the list of terrorist organizations. This underscores the importance of seeking support and allies and sympathizers even in the enemy camp.
