TORONTO, 5 April - As we witness the events unfolding before our very eyes in Palestine, I sit in shock at the lack of intelligent and compassionate response of the sole superpower (the United States), to realistically control and end a situation which they are to be blamed for in major proportions.
Lies and deception seem to be the diplomacy of America and Israel. I consider America responsible for the current situation because it has built and continues to support Israel, financially, militarily and diplomatically. Financially and militarily are self explanatory, but I say diplomatically because it continues to allow Israel to dodge every single United Nations resolution against it. Among these are the resolutions condemning Israeli brutality of the Palestinians, resolutions demanding Israeli withdrawal from the occupied territories since 1967, not to mention the US vetoes further protecting and encouraging Israeli aggression.
When I look at the reporting on the current situation, it is sometimes appalling. Today's Western journalists are busy commenting on the day-to-day situation, and the intifada. This situation cannot be fully understood if we limit our analysis and understanding to the day-to-day incursions or the 17-month intifada. We have to go back to 1948 and 1967 when it all started. These were the periods when the torture, persecution and displacement of innocents, children, women and men began. If we were to consider only what happened over the last 17 months, it may look like Israel is the victim and that is what Israel and America wants the world to believe.
But that is not the reality. The last 17 months is just the result of over 50 years of Israeli occupation. It is the result of the Israeli government's disobedience of humanitarian and international laws. It is the result of Israel's constant breaking of treaties and promises to leave the occupied territories. It is the result of the violation of human rights and of the torture and illegal killings of Palestinians by Israeli forces, fully supported by its friend, America.
Israel has destroyed the social, moral, economic, educational and religious infrastructure of the Palestinians and have left generations of traumatized children. Therefore, do not blame the Palestinians if they cannot exercise restraint. It is their children, mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters that are being slaughtered everyday. They are just reacting to what they have been dealing with in their entire lives.
What happened on Sept. 11, 2001 in the United States had been happening to the Palestinians everyday. But look at America's response to 9/11. It has brought the whole world into chaos and insecurity - this from a "civilized" society. It reminds me of the civility of the native Americans and their invaders.
I ask you all, which country has been involved in more wars and invaded more foreign countries than America? Which is the only country to ever use nuclear weapons? The Americans talk about nuclear non-proliferation but continue to ignore Israel's refusal to toe the line. Yet they are ready to attack Iraq on the suspicion that it may be developing weapons of mass destruction, despite Rolf Ekeus of UNSCOM's declaration in 1995 that 95 percent of it's work in dismantling Iraq's weapons of mass destruction capability is complete. Let us look at the facts and figures throughout history and see who have created more destruction on this earth. Without doubt, America would be right at the top of the list!
American support for Israel is corrupt. America has proven that it does not respect the legitimacy of the Palestinian cause. Neither does it intend to use its influence to help in a meaningful way. What it has proven is its willingness to destroy any land or people to keep American land "free." This being the case, the just and morally upright citizens and governments of this world must respond. And there is a viable response.
I appeal to all the peace-loving people. I appeal to all the good Jews and Americans, and I know there are a lot of them: Confront your governments. I appeal to all who support to right to voice your concerns to do so in whatever way you can. Israeli and American citizens should live in peace, but the hard fact is that it is the Israeli and American governments who are compromising the peace and security of their own people by their unacceptable behavior, pride and unwillingness to allow the Palestinians to exercise their right as a nation, as clearly defined by the United Nations.
The Muslim world, especially wealthy investors have forged strong economic ties and friendship with America. But America has proven to be unworthy of these ties and friendship. It is time to form new alliances and friendships - economic and social - around the world.
I want to highlight the European Union, a union that have proven to be a voice of reason and justice to the world. They have compromised their long relationship with America and Israel to stand for justice and true world peace. They have proven to be people of character and integrity. Muslims need to recognize this and support it.
I appeal to the wealthy Arab investors to start looking to a new future and new avenues of investment, and gradually move away from the American economy. This they should do to make them a member of the world community and not a world dictatorship.
The European Union and Canada, two young but potentially strong emerging economies, should be supported by increasing investment and trade with them. European and Canadian products are comparable with anything in the world. I strongly urge the support of countries like these as a response to American refusal to encourage justice.
As the world fails to understand the struggles of the Palestinians, and remain indecisive over the definitions of words, America and Israel continue to feed more lies and deception to a gullible Western media. Palestinians, Arabs and Muslims must take their future into their own hands. We must not be intimidated by the ignorance of the Western media, or their ignorant views, statements and inability to fully comprehend the reality of the world.
In conclusion, I would like to say, as a Muslim, we do not condone terrorism. Likewise, we do not condone the American and Israeli injustices and illegal occupations. Muslims do not hate Jews or Americans, but we despise the violence of these governments. Muslims do not want to see the destruction of America or Israel, but we want to see the Americans act justly and not be totally biased toward Israel.
Israel is not the victim here. The Israelis are the ones who invaded Palestinian land. They are the ones with the mighty nuclear arms, with US-built and -supported military fighting Palestinian stone throwers.
Mr. Bush and his government stated clearly that they will not negotiate with terrorists. But they should have the humility to listen to their allies and peace-loving people of this world, stop pushing this world into further instability and chaos. Muslims are ready and willing to support peace and help in fighting terrorism, but they will also stand firmly against the wrongs of the US and Israel.
True justice will eradicate terrorism. American and Israeli injustice will only encourage terrorism!
