Israel's Obsession: A region heading towards collective suicide

Posted By Emad Omar

It seems that the region is heading for a situation similar to collective suicide, a condition that even the key policy-makers seem to be unable to prevent. The signs are there for all to see: a failed state; high levels of violence; a rise in the number of victims; the rise of political and religious extremism at a grassroots level; a lack of security and stability; migration of educated professionals to other countries; military adventures that exacerbate the situation; a lack of permanent and comprehensive political solutions; and, the lack of clear and effective political and legal standards that define the relationships between the states and the governed. 

Specific examples of this condition are not difficult to find. Palestine, Somalia, Iraq, Lebanon, Darfur, Sunni-Shiite tension in the Arab world, tension, rising violence in Algeria and Morocco, tension between governments and people, Israeli military adventures, the seemingly-incurable social illness of poverty, unemployment, corruption, a mood of public pessimism, and a rise in the number of paramilitary groups all indicate that a state of crisis is prevalent. It is obvious to political observers that these tensions are linked; they exist in a symbiotic relationship with one another and can reproduce across countries, continents, alliances and agendas.

There have been a number of attempts by relevant key regional and international players to calm the situation. The Arab-Israeli conflict has received significant attention of late, the American administration has reviewed its policy in the region, producing the Baker-Hamilton report, allowing for a wider margin of democracy in Arab Gulf States, and there is the Saudi-Arab League-Iranian mediation between the conflicting parties in Lebanon and the Iraqi dialogue with neighboring countries. 

However, due to a lack of tangible results and a failure to address the core issues of the problems, most analysts remain pessimistic. To many, it seems that those involved are more concerned with public relations and maintaining their own power-base than addressing the real issues of the impending crisis in a credible fashion. In addition to this, through a lack of media attention, we know little of the Iraqi insurgents, of the lack of political leadership, of the sectarian narrative that overshadows political efforts in Palestine, Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, the U.S.A., and Israel. 

Israel seems today obsessed with returning prestige to its military establishment, after being dealt a severe blow in Lebanon last summer, through striking Iran and maintaining the embargo on the Palestinian government. Iran, meanwhile, is obsessed with continuing its nuclear program and protecting its "revolutionary guards" regime. Hamas is obsessed with power. This feeds security chaos, cripples the Palestinian political system and stands opposed to Palestinian cultural legacy.

Meanwhile, the American administration seems to have ignored the Baker-Hamilton recommendations and is still dreaming of a military victory in Iraq. The U.S. prevents any progress in reviving Syrian-Israeli negotiations and may strike Iran, potentially causing an international catastrophe. Hezbollah insists on translating the results of its resistance against Israel into more political and sectarian influence. Hezbollah does not hesitate in returning the favor to the Syrian and Iranian regimes by being more involved in their respective states and thus cripples the Lebanese political system. Some Arab regimes use the change in the American position concerning political reform to attack the limited margin of freedom of recent years, but remain reluctant to play a proactive role in dousing the flames of extremism and sectarianism in the region. 

In any case, there is no room for idleness. The political and ideological elites of the region must deal with the conflicts by promoting positive issues and urging key players to address the core issues and refuse political stagnation. They must publicly reject violence and extremism. They must encourage communication and negotiate intensively to formulate a plan that would return security, stability and development to the region. We must return to the basics in the establishment of a more positive environment that can manage the forces that have pushed us to the edge of the abyss. This is what the world did after WWII, and we must learn the lesson. There is no value in any political system that is burdened with crises, bad relations with its' neighbors, that feels constantly threatened, and has its budget consumed by security priorities rather than development.

It is clear now that occupation and the control of people are key reasons for the deterioration of the situation. For instance, the Israeli occupation of Palestine and lands of neighboring Arab states, the Iraqi occupation of Kuwait, the American occupation of Iraq, Syria's indirect occupation of Lebanon and the Iranian occupation of Emirates' islands. However, the Israeli occupation is the worst because of its longstanding oppressive nature. The occupation phenomena must end now and forever from the region. Finding an atmosphere to solve the Arab-Israeli conflict will open more windows of opportunity. Perhaps finding a new regional mechanism that promotes respect for international law to solve the various conflicts throughout region is the means to end this phenomenon. Such an approach will allow room for solving many of these conflicts. 

We must not allow or encourage the emergence of political and religious extremism, settlements, and population concentration to be used as security trump card in conflicts. Religion must not be part of politics and attacks on religious places must not be tolerated. Public relations must not be used to hide the truth from the people. The media must be independent and politicians must cease in their manipulation of it. We must respect the foundations of the national state, including citizenship and the rule of law. We must deal with the emerging political powers, including the ‘independent' powers filling the vacuum produced by the overwhelming chaos. These powers must be rehabilitated and urged to join the political system. External powers must deal positively with the states of the region. Time is running out fast, and there must be action before it is too late.