First off, let's be clear that there are all sorts of Muslims ranging from the secular to the devout. Then too most speak Arabic while those from Iran speak Farsi. My problem is with the supporters of the Palestinians.
1. Their understanding as to the emergence of Palestine is deeply flawed. As the Palestinians see it, they were the inhabitants of Palestine. Suddenly, the Jews from Europe came in and took over.
Check census figures from the mid 1880s. You'll find that Palestine, including Jordan - then a part of Palestine - was a desolate and fairly devoid of people. It lacked an adequate supply of water and, in parts of the land, it was covered with malarial swamps. Jews lived in Jerusalem for its religious/historical reasons. The mostly poor Arab tenant farmers lived mainly in the northwest. In the early 1900s, Jews began arriving to escape the hatred of Christians in Europe and then to escape Hitler's death camps.
Money was sent to the Jews to help them sustain themselves. Arabs were often hired to build housing for Jews. Suddenly, an influx of people began arriving in Palestine. The Arabs came primarily for the work. They built housing for British troops. Jews, however, were impeded by Britain's White Paper.
According to the U.N., Palestine was meant to be shared by Muslims and Jews. But sharing was not part of the Muslim mindset. When the state of Israel was declared, Arab armies launched fierce attacks on the fledgeling nation. When the Arab armies were defeated, the Arabs in what was to become Israel fled in great numbers. However, only those actually firing on Jews were expelled. Most Arabs, however, believed that the Jews would do to them what they had hoped they could do to the Jews; namely, destroy them.
At the same time, roughly 800,000 Jews were expelled from Egypt, as well as from countries along north of Africa. Then to there was the expulsion of Jews from Syria and Iraq. It was the new state of Israel which at considerable cost gave them a place of refuge,
Further wars were launched by Syria, Jordan and Egypt. Israel, however, emerged victorious. Although Israel wanted to have peace with Syria, the Syrians kept firing down on Israel from the Golan Heights. Israel had no choice but to take possession of the Golan.
These wars were not fought in behalf of the Palestinians. The combatants wanted pieces of Israel for themselves. Syra wanted Israel's north, Iraq its northeast, Jordan its middle and Egypt it's south. There was no thought given to setting up a Palestinian state.
2. It was only after the defeat of the various Arab nations, that under the guidance of the Muslim Brotherhood, they devised a plan for a Palestinian nation. They chose a terrorist from Egypt, Arafat. He entered the fray and his first goal was to take over Jordan. In this he was defeated. He escaped to Tunisia via Lebanon.
3. Israel was not the powerful nation it is today. Back then they counted on the U.S. for protection. In such a situation, a stronger nation will often force its will on the weaker partner. This was the case between America and Israel. The elder Bush and all subsequent American presidents wanted to see a Palestinian nation emerge side by side with Israel. This state was to be the equal to the Jewish. Unfortunately, this notion was at odds with reality. Had the American leadership studied the middle east they would have become aware of the following:
a. Arafat was a product of the Muslim Brotherhood. Neither the Brotherhood nor Arafat wanted peace. What they wanted was the elimination of Israel. It was thie same Muslim Brotherhood that had Anwar Sadat assassinated for his making peace with Israel. Any question as to what the Palestinians wanted was made clear by their rejection of Israel's numerous peace offers; some so excessively generous, they would never be repeated. Arafat, however, knew that if he did make a proper peace with Israel, he would be eliminated by the Muslim Brotherhood.
b. The American policy makers should have been aware that no Arab state is democratic. Israel has a population that is roughly 16% Muslim. What Muslim state has a Jewish population anywhere near that? What Muslim state has a Christian population anywhere near that? What Muslim state can be described as being democratic? Or, as being as cognizant of women's rights and gay rights?
Islamic law is Sharia. It is not simply religious in nature, it is the foundation of state law in Muslim nations. Under Sharia, Jews and Christians are second hand citizens, or to use the Arabic word, dhimmi.
However, there is a chance that this can change.
However, there is a chance that this can change. Today, few Christians view Jews as the killers of Christ. Perhaps in time Christians and Jews will no longer be viewed as dhimmi. But as long as the Muslim Brotherhood is a force to be reckoned with, that day does mot seem imminent.
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