History / current events - Essay Example

As Long as Israel Exists Middle East Peace Will Not Israel has existed as a nation for nearly 63 years. The Arab nations voiced immediate opposition following the formation of Israel and vowed to fight what they view as the stealing of Muslin lands in a struggle that continues to this day. Though Muslims are divided for many historic religious and boundary reasons, they all rally around the cause of Palestine. Arab leaders use the conflict to gain support of their people for a variety of causes, many unrelated to Israel.

This tactic works every time due to the ingrained hatred of the idea of the State. This issue will not fade away. It will only intensify until one day, likely with great bloodshed, Israel will no long exist. Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara stated at the opening ceremony of the Syrian-Israeli peace talks on December 11, 2000 “Those who reject to return the occupied territories to their original owners in the framework of international legitimacy send a message to the Arabs that the conflict between Israel and Arabs is a conflict of existence in which bloodshed can never stop.

” The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, at the 2002 Arab League summit in Beirut, said, “I propose that the Arab summit put forward a clear and unanimous initiative addressed to the United Nations Security Council based on two basic issues: normal relations and security for Israel in exchange for full withdrawal from all occupied Arab territories.” (Israeli-Palestinian Pro-Con 2004). Iran's Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi, in a September 21, 2002 Washington Post interview entitled “The War and Iran,” stated “We do not recognize Israel as a government.

We believe that eventually Palestinian refugees have to return to their homeland” (Israeli-Palestinian Pro-Con 2004). Since the state was founded, much of the world’s population, including opinion in the Israel-friendly United States, has become opposed the existence of Israel as an independent state. In the U.S., from Boston to San Francisco, people openly espouse this belief. “No country has a right to exist, certainly not one that was founded through the destruction of another country.

Was Palestine ever afforded a right to exist?” claims a San Franciscan opinion. “That does not mean Israel should be dismantled. But Israel has no right to exist as an exclusionary Jewish state that gives special rights to Jews to the detriment of the indigenous population” (Anti-Apartheid et al 2003). A Chicago man quoted in a Boston publication echoed these sentiments, insisting full Palestinian rights should be restored, including the return of their lands and the right of the refugee population to return to their homeland or be compensated for their loss.

“The Palestinian people and its leaders should accept nothing less … And the world community of nations especially must stand with them to be sure they finally get it.” (Lendman 2006) The same sentiments are found in Europe. According to recent polls, most Europeans believe that Israel is alone responsible for the current conflict even though a majority believed that Yasser Arafat genuinely sought peace. “By two to one, Europeans take the Palestinians’ side. Fewer and fewer Europeans see Israel’s existence as sacred.

” (Ottolenghi 2004). Anti-Jewish violence in France often centers around the most obviously observant Jews. Many Europeans, still vastly sympathetic of the Holocaust, yet deny the right of an Israeli state as do many Americans whose government supports sovereignty of Israel. Western nations frequently condemn Israeli actions including, on occasion, some which Israel claims as being necessary to protect itself from Palestinian terrorism and Arab hostility. Still, many of the European states have made it a habit to abstain from anti-Israel votes.

Many European countries, such as France, Russia and Germany, have been strong supporters of Israel, but also support the foundation of a Palestinian state. World governments and the majority of their people either are ambivalent to the situation or wish the destruction of the Israeli State. Arab nations openly and widely support violent Palestinians. The concept of the State of Israel is hardly concrete in the minds of the non Arab world as well. There has never and will never be peace in the Middle East as long as Israel exists.

The State is temporary. Many do not want to admit this but the facts and history all point to this conclusion. Works Cited Anti-Apartheid, Pro-Justice, Pro-Equality. “No Country has a ‘Right to Exist’ and Certainly Not Israel.” San Francisco Independent Media Center. (June 30, 2003). Indymedia. April 26, 2011 Israeli-Palestinian Pro-Con. “What are the Official Policies of the Surrounding Arab States and Iran Regarding Israel?” Israeli Statehood. (December 23, 2004). April 26, 2011 Lendman, Stephen.

“Life in Occupied Palestine.” The Boston Independent Media Center. (February 15, 2006). Indymedia. April 26, 2011 Ottolenghi, Emanuele. “Europe Wants Israel to Lose.” Jerusalem Post. (July 28, 2004). Oxford University. April 26, 2011