As an American of Palestinian descent and of the Christian faith, I never cared much for the ultimate goal of Hamas to establish a religious state in Palestine. But I find myself absolutely angered, baffled and shocked at Israel’s decision to assassinate Hamas founder and spiritual leader Sheik Ahmed Yassin.
What is even more baffling is the U.S. response, even though Israel’s own news organization, Arutz Sheva, confirmed that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon personally commanded the extrajudicial killing.
The United States March 25 vetoed a United Nations resolution condemning the assassination, though our own Arms Control Export Act prohibits use of U.S. weapons to break international law.
“It is very important that everyone step back now and try now to be calm in the region. There is always a possibility of a better day in the Middle East and some of the things being talked about by the Israelis… might provide new opportunities,” National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice told NBC’s “Today” show. “I would hope that nothing will be done to preclude those new opportunities from emerging,” she added.
Basically, Miss Rice implied that if Palestinians react, they will be held responsible for any fallout. Unbelievable.
One thing is certain about the extrajudicial killing of the blind and quadriplegic Hamas founder: Peace is practically unreachable anytime in the near future.
Ariel Sharon is not “stupid” as many around the world say. Nobody is that dumb. Palestinian retaliations are expected. And the Israeli Defense Force will use the retaliations as an excuse to kill more Palestinians. It is a script that has played itself out for the last 3 years.
Each round becomes deadlier and with far-reaching effects. There are now more than 700 Israeli checkpoints in the Israeli-Occupied Territories. A wall is being built that has imprisoned many Palestinian villages and towns. The economic siege continues, and a British report now compares the Palestinian malnourishment levels to those in Africa.
Still, the Palestinians have not been deterred from demanding freedom and independence.
Would it have been nice to resolve the conflict at the negotiating table? Sure, but Israel sought to circumvent international law and hand out the carrots it wanted to give.
The reasons for the current uprising for freedom are many — all of which any human being can understand, and most definitely any American. Freedom from occupation would be a good start. Freedom from having their olive orchards uprooted, a source of income for many; freedom from having their homes demolished; freedom from Israeli military checkpoints between every Palestinian city that hold up people from two to six hours; freedom for the young to be as children at play rather than as adults at war so they are not humiliated as their parents are; freedom to have the same kind of security Israelis want for themselves.
Three million Palestinians have tolerated denial of these freedoms for more than three decades, almost entirely without incident. They should be commended for their restraint all these decades. Occasionally, a few young men can no longer bite their lips. The results often are tragic. It has been said there is no enemy greater than one who has nothing to lose.
It is expected by some Yassin’s death will stop the Palestinian uprising (intifada) for freedom. Or that Yasser Arafat can somehow stop the intifada. But the intifada is bigger than Sheik Yassin, or Yasser Arafat. It is most certainly bigger than Ariel Sharon. It is about the human spirit and the desire to be free.
The famous Patrick Henry remark, “Give me liberty or give me death,” is actually very applicable in the case of the Palestinian intifada. Unfortunately, Israel seems to believe “might makes right.” The killing of Yassin is yet another sign of this.
Miss Rice was right when she voiced optimism there is always a possible better day in the Middle East. When Israel ends the occupation and implements U.N. resolutions as other nations are expected to, a better tomorrow may just be realized.
SHERRI MUZHER
Ms. Muzher is a media analyst and writer from Mason, Mich.
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