Israel's recent efforts to invoke the right to self-defense as its justification for air strikes on the Gaza Strip should be viewed in the wider context of the Israeli-Palestinian imbroglio and must necessarily be colored by the reality of Israeli colonization activities inside Palestinian territories in the eyes of any impartial observer of the recent developments in the region. Struggles for self-determination cannot always take the form of clear-cut wars with clear-cut rules like the Geneva Convention or similar rules. Self-determination struggles often rely on tactics that do not conform to standard rules of military engagement. They often have to rely on sporadic attacks and can involve an avoidance of direct confrontation with strong occupying forces. This has been the case not just in Palestine, but in other such conflicts around the world as well.
A country that invokes the right to self-defense should not be, at the same time, carrying out activities of an imperialist nature in territories that have never belonged to it under international law. Most of the international community has accepted this reality in the past. The United States has been the one partner of Israel that has supported its actions in Palestine, illegal or not, even when they have violated standard norms of international behavior or of human rights. Recent efforts at a ceasefire in Gaza can, at the very best, buy temporary peace. The only way for lasting peace to be achieved is for a comprehensive security deal in the Middle East where Palestine's right to self-determination is recognized and followed and where Israel negotiates some kind of mutual arrangement with those powers that are intensely hostile to it. It seems Israel's ability to force military solutions in the region, whether in Palestine or elsewhere, is limited. While several sections of the international community can be sympathetic towards Israel because of the recent rocket attacks, they will also have to consider human rights in Palestine and occupation activities in Palestine while deciding their views and their strategies. All the recent round of fighting does is exacerbate existing hostilities. It does not provide a way towards security for Israel. Or the Palestinians.
by C. Jayant Praharaj ( send comments to [email protected] )
A country that invokes the right to self-defense should not be, at the same time, carrying out activities of an imperialist nature in territories that have never belonged to it under international law. Most of the international community has accepted this reality in the past. The United States has been the one partner of Israel that has supported its actions in Palestine, illegal or not, even when they have violated standard norms of international behavior or of human rights. Recent efforts at a ceasefire in Gaza can, at the very best, buy temporary peace. The only way for lasting peace to be achieved is for a comprehensive security deal in the Middle East where Palestine's right to self-determination is recognized and followed and where Israel negotiates some kind of mutual arrangement with those powers that are intensely hostile to it. It seems Israel's ability to force military solutions in the region, whether in Palestine or elsewhere, is limited. While several sections of the international community can be sympathetic towards Israel because of the recent rocket attacks, they will also have to consider human rights in Palestine and occupation activities in Palestine while deciding their views and their strategies. All the recent round of fighting does is exacerbate existing hostilities. It does not provide a way towards security for Israel. Or the Palestinians.
by C. Jayant Praharaj ( send comments to [email protected] )