Skip to main content

Because He Said So


On 14 May, Israel will celebrate 70 years of independence. On that day, the United States is also expected to move its embassy to Jerusalem in the spirit of celebrations amongst Israelis, and mourning of Palestinians who are reminded of the Nakba: the day they lost their land 7 decades ago.

To mark the upcoming occasion, an Israeli senior Ministry of Foreign Affairs official spoke to Al-Monitor regarding Israel’s historical narrative at 70 years of independence, indicating that Israel´s democratic existence in a region of autocratic regimes bestows further legitimacy to the imminent  festivities. Plus, Donald Trump has endorsed Israel’s right to be recognised by the Palestinians as the homeland of the Jewish people. Yes, Trump´s statement seals the deal and provides the missing and crucial conformation of the Jewishness of Israel and the Jerusalemness of its capital.

It is interesting how the official´s enlightening proclamation came right after his/her reiteration that Israel is the only democracy in the region. In that official´s opinion, democracy constitutes what millions of Arabs believe is fair, what the Palestinian people conceive as historical injustice inflicted upon them, and the  illegal, unilateral recognition of the status of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital in spite of international condemnation. Trump said it should be Israel´s capital, then it should be. Let us forget the city´s history that stretches back to 5000 BC, its linkages with the patriarch of the Hebrews Abraham and Moises, the early wars over the city between the Israelis and Philistines, the rulings of David and Solomon, and the eras of the Persians, Macedonians, Maccabees, Romans and Herodes. Christianity’s birth and Byzantiu´s rule are irrelevant, and so is the city´s fruition under the Umayyads, Abbasids, Fatimids and Ayubbis. The Crusaders´ battles are the past and must be ignored. The Ottoman´s Empire, the two World Wars, and the British mandate should all be forgotten. The rich history of the city, the coexistence of multiple religions over centuries, and the dozens of civilisations that reigned over it mean nothing to some Israeli aides. Trump´s recognition suffices.

In three weeks´ time people of the sacred land will be rejoicing and mourning simultaneously. The world will be watching silently until action is deemed necessary. The euphoria of masked peace and unfair conquer of the holy city should not be a reason to forget history and the lessons that should have been learned and entrenched in both hearts and minds.  Independence day should be an occasion to remember the history of Jerusalem and the right that Muslims, Christians, and Jews have in that land. Trump´s words should not trump history.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Just as Orwell Said

         George Orwell said in his famous book 1984 that “first they steal the words, then they steal the meaning”, accurately foreseeing the political actions of world leaders and their manipulation of public opinion. His words are ever so precise once one examines the vocabulary applied by a number of world leaders when describing the policies and regimes of troubling countries: axis of evil, war on terror, terrorist killers, harbourers of fundamentalism etc. Ironic it is to see how those who were once described to have been allies with Satan himself seem to show good will in a matter of very few years. Iran is one very good example of this. The Persian nation has come out as a winner in the Geneva talks that were held in October, where not only did it get applauded for the concessions it offered, but it also ensured the west’s acceptance of its regional weight. Everyone seems to be more relaxed after the negotiations and ...
2 comments
Read more

Kaftar

Muaawiya Bin Abi Sufyan was the first Umayyad Caliph, who ruled as a just and jovial leader until his death in 683 AD. Known for his sense of humour and his love for women, Abi Sufyan was famous for a story that took place in his own harem. While escorting a woman for the Khorasan region in modern day Iran, a beautiful woman entered the harem and mesmerised the Leader of All Believers. With his pride in his manhood and prowess in the bed arena, Abi Sufyan did not hesitate to engage in a brazen and manly sexual act in front of the Khorasani woman, who was patiently waiting for her turn. After he was done, he turned victoriously to his first concubine and asked her how to say ‘lion' in Persian - in a direct analogy to his sexual performance.  The Khorasani woman, unamused, told him slyly, that lion is kaftar in Persian. The Caliph went back to his Court ever so jubilant and told his subjects – repeatedly – that he was one lucky kaftar. His...
2 comments
Read more

What a coincidence!

   "In politics, nothing happens by accident. If it happens, you can bet it was planned that way." Franklin D. Roosevelt Coincidence, serendipity, and seriality - as described by the coincidence collector Paul Kammerer - do not explain politics. Nor do they explain the media. Several articles were published regarding an earthquake that hit Iran on October 5 and theories as to whether that was actually a nuclear test run by Iran. An earthquake, measuring 4.4 on the Richter scale, was recorded in Aradan County in Semnan Province. The timing of the seismic activity and the location "made people link it to Iran's nuclear programme and ask if the Islamic country was close to getting its own nuclear weapon" as per media articles. Although earthquakes are normal in that geographical area, the timing of the natural phenomena was put at doubt by a skeptic, conspiratorial,  and weary media coverage. CIA Director William Burns said yesterday that there was no evidence that...
Post a Comment
Read more