Israel and the Middle East, Jerusalem center for public affairs - Research Paper Example

? Longer Paper Assignment Longer Paper Assignment Sitting in the Egyptian library is a young man in his mid-twenties who is busy reading a book on the historic development in the Middle East took place over time and which transformed the ancient Canaan into Palestine under the Ottoman rule and then the arrival of the British. His prime center of concern was what transformed Palestine into Israel and Palestine and why was all the bloodshed that was going on for years had not resulted into something. Still more bloodshed on both sides with both being the stark opponent of the other. His brother had lost his life in the conflict and now his father wanted Abdullah also to follow suit and fight for what he understood was right. He, on the other hand wanted to know what his father wanted him to do but could not ask him. He had been planning to come to the library in the search for the truth himself. On the other side of the table was an old man in his early seventies and his name was Paul. He was in the British army once, but after retirement and death of his wife, he visited Egypt as a tourist, fell in love with its bazaars and streets, and told his children that he will not be coming back. In Egypt he became a teacher of English language. He often came to the library in search of a good book to read and a chance to interact with young people and tell them what he had learnt from his experiences of life. Daniel Elazar was one of the few orthodox Jews that had been left in Egypt and was a member of the family that looked after the Synagogue in Cairo. A young man of thirty, he often visited the library to meet his friend librarian and sometimes read or borrow a book or just feel the silence of the hall while the books speak volumes about history, international relations and literature. Abdullah was reading the text on the book with concentration with his nose in the book. He had been reading the same book since the time Paul came in. After about an hour had passed, he was becoming curious about the young boy and after all asked: What are you reading young man? Seems like something interesting. Its just history, Abdullah lifted his head and replied What history is it? I usually find history to be quite boring, remarked Paul. Not if it is your own history; remarked Abdullah and continued saying; and you have a brother lost in it. Oh, I am sorry to hear about your bother, I have lost quite a number of my friends and family members and I know how it feels like. But what history are your reading? Asked Paul. Well, it is the history of Palestine and Israel. So, you must be a Palestinian. Not, Exactly, My father is from Palestine but my mother is Egyptian, I was born and grew old in Egypt. Now, my father wants me to leave for Palestine and lay my life for Jehad, which I do not understand why is going on. All the bloodshed and the stories of war have always intrigued me to find out what actually is going on, why are people fighting over a small piece of land when they both can live peacefully. Paul has understood the point and with a small smile asked; what is your name? Abdullah. Listen Abdullah, It is not just a matter of land between the Israelis and the Palestinians. It is all about religion, it is about legacy and it is about home, not for one but for both sides. How long have you been reading the book? About two hours. And what did you read? Not much, all the stories that I have heard and what I see in the news channels and what I have read in the book may seem easy to read and listen to, but not that easy to digest. It all becomes contradicting. Everyone seems to be on the right side of the gun and then everyone seems to be doing wrong. It is all mixed up. I do not know why exactly did my brother die. Was it for right or just a waste of life. Hmmm…. Tell me what you have read and what you know then I might be able to help clear up the confusion you are having, Paul said. Well, first of all the Jews lived in this region, then the region was over taken by the Muslims under whom the possession remain until the fall of the Ottoman empire and. Then the British government took over the area who promised to give due share of the land to the respective community and divide the land into states that represents that community. The Israeli Jews started coming to Palestine in response to the Balfour declaration and since then the things never got better. The Jews claimed the land as Israel as their land and the Arabs claimed it to be theirs. The war started in 1947 and the Jews established their independent state in 1948. While the land is sacred for both the communities, that point I do not understand is why both people cannot live with each other. The Jews lived there before the First World War, the Muslims were there, and then what happened afterwards, elaborated Abdullah. Well you see Abdullah, the Jews have been searching for a land in which they have their own government where no one can tell them to leave and the Balfour declaration was a step towards that. It is not that easy to let go of a dream that your ancestors saw and you want to realize for your children. The Muslims are however, on their right to say that the Jews are taking them out of their homes and making them leave. Another thing that the Muslims do not realize that when their own holy book says that the Jews will return to their land and occupy it, then why not they accept it. Even then, the Jews have accepted the proposal of giving the Muslim majority land to the Muslims when they had lost the war. It is the land of the Jews and the Muslims have no right to claim it. Commented David who had listened to what Abdullah was saying. Oh, Hi David, I did not notice you were here. When did you come? Asked Paul. Just now, said David, and continued saying, when the Muslims themselves accept that the Muslims took the land of Israel away from the Jews, and then what is the point of them asking it back as if it was theirs. The Jews have only one country, look at all the countries that have attacked it times again, and still the Jews won. It is the will of God that he wants Jews to stay in Israel and govern it. Nevertheless, what about the homes and lives of Muslims who have lived there for years and had generations there. The Muslims did not expel the Jews when they ruled it, then why are the Jews doing like this, asked Abdullah. The Jews did not ask the Muslims to leave at first, but after the war, the Muslims were rioting all the places, the Jews had not other choice other then ask them to leave, Commented David. What do you think is the solution to all the blood shed that is going on now in these states. There are lives on both sides that are being wasted, asked Abdullah. The solution my friends lie in the commitment to mutual peace. Both sides have to come to common terms and conclude peace and that is only in the forms of accepting the recommendations of the UN. But both sides are adamant on wanting the complete land which I believe is not ever possible. The result will be that the blood shed will continue on the both sides. Until and unless both the communities do not talk on the humanitarian basis this, all will remain for the next generations to suffer. The only way out is speaking above religion, above ego and above nationalism and the peace will prevail. It is not what I feel, it is what I have seen, concluded Paul. References Daniel J. Elazar (Online. n.d) Israel and the Middle East, Jerusalem center for public affairs. http://www.jcpa.org/dje/articles2/jewpaldial.htm William B. Quandt (2001). Peace process. Washington, D.C.: Brookings Institution Press; Berkeley: University of California Press. Susan Hunnicutt (2011). The Middle East peace process. Farmington Hills, Mich.: Greenhaven Press. Martin Gilbert (2005). The Routledge atlas of the Arab-Israeli conflict. New York: Routledge. Read More