The Middle East region has always been mined land, and treading its terrain necessitates savvy strategizing to avert embroilment in this explosive atmosphere. With the passing of 2003, the major players are hurriedly reassessing their positions in order to safeguard their survival.
Turkey, desiring to be the dominant link between the West and the Middle East, has been strengthening its ties with Iran and Syria, while making a “water for arms” deal with Israel. Syria is calling on all nations in the Middle East to rid themselves of nuclear arms and wants to restart permanent peace negotiations with Israel. Libya has taken a unilateral decision to end its weapons of mass destruction program and like Syria wants to open diplomatic relations with Israel. Finally, Iran last week signed the additional protocol of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and is looking to restore full diplomatic relations with Egypt.
Turkey has managed to seal a deal with Israel, which will see millions of gallons of fresh water shipped in giant tankers across the eastern Mediterranean and into Israeli ports in exchange for Israel selling an unspecified number of Israeli tanks as well as air force technology. While cementing its flourishing relationship with Israel, Turkey was also busy hosting the Syrian president. Since the icy relationship between the two countries reached its peak four years ago, a process of cooperation has steadily improved their relations, as trade and movement of persons between the two states has accelerated over the past two years. Turkey is also improving its relations with Iran, as they have a shared interest in the future of Iraq as well as such topics as water, gas and trade.
Syria, meanwhile, has also been busy trying to heed U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell advice to "get out of the hole" of being an international pariah. Accordingly, Syria has tried to open negotiations with Israel for a permanent peace. At the beginning of December, Assad called on the United States to support renewed negotiations with Israel, in the hopes of normalizing relations between the two states. However, Assad stressed that negotiations should resume where they left off in January 2000 between his late father Hafez and Sharon's Labour predecessor Ehud Barak, but Sharon is adamant that they should start from scratch.
Sadly, Assad’s efforts were met by an Israeli promise to build 900 new homes on the Golan Heights, which Israel seized from Syria in 1967 and annexed 14 years later. Israeli Agriculture Minister Yisrael Katz said, "the aim is to send an unequivocal message: the Golan is an integral part of Israel." In comments published by the Israeli newspaper, Yediot Ahronot, he added, "the goal is for al-Assad to see from the windows of his home the Israeli Golan thriving and flourishing." This was seen by many as a slap in the face to President Assad attempts to restart talks and elicited a stern warning from Paris.
Syria, which has been under mounting US pressure, wants to avoid threats of sanctions. The US is demanding Syria fulfill the promises it made regarding activities on the Syrian-Iraqi border and a crackdown on militants, such as Hezbollah. Clearly, Syria’s call to have peace talks with Israel is part of a strategy to ease US threats. However, realizing this, Sharon is unlikely to aid Syria in its strategy, preferring instead to keep his enemy shackled in a diplomatic corner.
Libya is fairing better than Syria, having been applauded by the international community for announcing that it would stop developing nuclear, chemical and biological weapons of mass destruction, after nine months of secret negotiations with the United States and Britain. Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi said, "from now on, Libya will be at the forefront of countries opening up so that the world can be rid of all weapons of mass destruction.” This led US President George Bush to praise Libya for taking "essential steps," adding that he “hoped other leaders will find an example in Libya's announcement."
Further, Libya has signaled its desire to establish diplomatic relations with Israel. Last year, Labor MK Ephraim Sneh and Shinui legislator Ilan Shalgi met with the son of Muammar Gadhafi and reportedly were optimistics that relations between the two states could be established. Israeli Foreign Ministry official Ron Prosor departed for Paris ten days ago to investigate the possibility of opening an initial channel of dialogue with Libya. While both states publicly remain skeptical of improved relations, according to the Kuwaiti newspaper, Al-Siyasa, senior Israeli and Libyan officials have met at the American embassy in Vienna last Friday and agreed that a delegation of Israeli officials, including members of Israel’s spy agency, the Mossad, would visit Libya during the second half of January. Moreover, the newspaper quoted European diplomats stating that the purpose of the meeting is to "end hostility between the two countries and create normal ties between them."
With its recent actions, Libya is hoping it could gain lucrative oil contracts blocked by US sanctions as well as reap other economic benefits. The United States imposed sanctions in 1986, accusing Libya of supporting terrorist groups. Ten years later, America passed the Iran and Libya Sanctions Act that threatened to penalize the US partners of European companies that did significant business in Libya and Iran. Muammar Gadhafi wants to return his country to the good graces of the international community. While the US administration has been pleased with Libya, US officials have cautioned against expecting any immediate lifting of sanctions.
Iran has also been very keen to divert pressure placed upon it, specifically by the US, and recently was hailed by the international community for signing on Thursday the additional protocol of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty which opens the way for snap UN inspections of suspect sites. Its acceptance of the protocol was part of a deal brokered by Britain, France and Germany in October to address US-led concerns about its nuclear program. Despite this move, Israel threatened to destroy Iran’s uranium enrichment plant in the central Kashan area. Naturally, Iran was angered by Israel’s plans and threatened to retaliate if such an event occurred. It stated that instead of militarism and intimidation, Israel should now follow Iran’s lead and bring its own nuclear facilities under international oversight.
While the US was hoping the positive moves made by Iran would restore dialogue between Iran and Israel, Sharon’s cabinet was clear that it still regards Iran as its number one enemy and had no intention of softening its policies towards the country. Still, Tehran’s conciliatory moves are sure to please Washington, reducing the threat of further sanctions, and possibly an attack, while reopening dialogue with the US in the hope of being removed from Bush’s “axis of evil.”
Iran has moved to improve relations with Egypt, after more than two decades of severed ties with Cairo in protest against Egyptian policy, both with respect to Egypt's peaceful relations with Israel, and also its support of Iraq in the war with Iran. A decision was taken by the leaders of both states to restore full diplomatic ties. Recently, Tehran changed a street name from al-Islambouli Street to Intifada Street, in a show of good faith towards Cairo. The street was previously named in honor of Khaled al-Islambouli, who assassinated Egypt's President Anwar Sadat, and for years symbolized the deteriorated relations between the two states. Once relations are established with Egypt, Iran would have achieved normalization of relations with the Arab nations surrounding it. This would allow the country to escape the harsh sanctions the US has placed upon the country when it created a belt of support that included states such as India and Pakistan, along with the Gulf States and Turkey. Therefore, Iran is trying to open up to its neighboring countries in a bid to protect itself from a potential attack.
With the exception of Turkey, which already enjoys flourishing relations with both the US and Israel, the other nations in the Middle East appear to be walking a tightrope of pleasing the Americans, whether by disarming or hinting at ties with Israel, while maintaining a defiant public rhetoric against Israel necessary to avoid anger on the streets. It seems Israel’s prediction of the benefits of a war on Iraq are coming to light, as the country is now openly showing dominance in the region, with its unashamedly blunt threats of attacking both Syria and Iran. With their self preservation under threat, Arab nations are making clear gestures of compliance with US demands. It therefore seems that ‘in the bedroom’ negotiations are likely to sweep across the Middle East in 2004, as Arab nations line up to adhere to a neo-con vision of the region.
Believing in Jerusalem
Date posted: May 27, 2013
By Joharah Baker for MIFTAH
Last week, Israel barred a UNESCO fact-finding mission from entering the country, charging that the Palestinians had ‘politicized’ the mission before it had even arrived. The mission was tasked with looking into conditions of historical sites in the Old City of Jerusalem, something Israel apparently found to be very threatening.
Looking at the state of Jerusalem’s eastern sector today, it is understandable why Israel would not want UNESCO or anyone else walking around the Old City, especially the Palestinian-populated parts of it. Because anyone who does, will see the devastation that Israel and its settlers have wreaked on one of the oldest and most beautiful cities in the world.
Excavation works are being conducted in and around the Aqsa Mosque to make way for more Jewish construction at the place where Waqf authorities say Ottoman and Abbasid artifacts have long been tucked away. A Muslim graveyard is being dug up just outside the Old City’s Jaffa Gate, to build – ironically – a museum of tolerance. Today, two stores were forcefully taken over by Jewish settlers in Al Hakari, one of the neighborhoods in the Muslim quarter and every day, it seems that more and more homes are either being demolished by Israeli municipality authorities or being taken over by Jewish settlers.
The “Judiazation” of Jerusalem is a term many Palestinians and Arabs use for what Israel is doing in the city. In a nutshell, it is the long-term plan Israel is gradually carrying out to change the Arab Palestinian character of Jerusalem. This means demolishing old and historical structures, displacing Palestinians, handing over their homes to settlers and trying to erase the Palestinian or Arab history of the city.
The sad truth is that, on the surface, Israel has succeeded in this to a large extent. Pockets of Jewish settlers now live in the heart of Muslim quarters and aim to take over more and more. Sheikh Jarrah, one of the more affluent Palestinian neighborhoods of Jerusalem, is now pierced with Jewish flags waving from homes that have been wrestled from their Palestinian owners, and Israel’s light rail train cuts right down through Palestinian neighborhoods outside of the city center. The train, of course, is not meant to service the Palestinian population but rather to connect Jewish neighborhoods and settlements in the city, but the area confiscated from Shufat and Beit Hanina for its construction simply fell into the plan.
What the UNESCO mission would not have seen even if they made it into the Old City is the overall humiliation that the Palestinian population of Jerusalem must endure on a daily basis because of Israel’s military occupation. Trips to the Israeli ministry of interior must be made just to prove that one lives in the city for fear that their residency rights may be revoked; young Palestinian men are stopped randomly by Israeli soldiers to check their ID cards or just to harass them, and settlers are always given the luxury of maximum security whenever they walk the streets. If settlers want to march through the city, the Palestinians are told to close their shops, are barred for hours from reaching their homes if they run along the path of the march and are always the ones blamed if any kind of confrontation between the two sides breaks out.
Jerusalem is being squeezed by these measures more and more each day. But there is always that glimmer of hope, that strength that shines through proving that all is not lost. On Shavuot, Israeli settlers and extremists poured into the Old City, singing loudly, banging on the shop doors and waving huge Israeli flags. The sight was disconcerting to say the least. However, the afternoon of that same day, at Damascus Gate, passersby were met with a completely different scene. Palestinian flags waved in determined Palestinian hands under the threatening eye of heavily armed Israeli police and soldiers. The youths were fearless, demanding freedom, with strong, unrelenting voices.
The sight of the Palestinian flag waving at the entrance to Damascus Gate was a breath of fresh air. All is not lost and never will be because hope is eternal and determination and strength come from a never-ending spring.
That day at Damascus Gate is what all Palestinians must keep in their minds’ eye in spite of the daily oppression of the occupation. No matter how many missions Israel bars from entering or how many houses it takes over, there will always be those brave souls who, despite the risks, will always raise Palestine’s flag.
Joharah Baker is a Writer for the Media and Information Department at the Palestinian Initiative for the Promotion of Global Dialogue and Democracy (MIFTAH). She can be contacted at mid@miftah.org.
Let Mohammed rest in peace
Date posted: May 20, 2013
By Joharah Baker for MIFTAH
There is no point falling into the pit of countering the claims being made about the death of Mohammed Al Durra, the 12-year old boy from Gaza whose videotaped killing was seen around the world. The boy, crouching in fear behind is equally afraid father as bullets whizzed around them, was killed admittedly by the Israeli army. Later, the army recanted after investigating the tape, saying Durra was killed by Palestinian fire instead. Well now, Israel is changing its story altogether, saying he was not killed at all. In fact, he was probably not even wounded and the French channel that broadcast the footage and brought some pretty bad rap to Israel, had most likely filmed a charade.
The reason why I will not waste my time countering this claim is that even with the great lengths the Israeli government went to to prove that the boy was never killed, it could not provide any irrefutable proof that Mohammed Al Durra – who would be 25 now – is still alive. No pictures, no testimonies, no hospital or morgue officials giving statements to refute his death, have been provided. Only sketchy information about ‘poor quality footage’ and the fact that it seems as though the boy moved his arm after he had slumped over his father following the explosion.
My point is this: indeed, Mohammed Durra’s death was at least one of the catalysts that fueled the second Intifada, and thus, was an important event in the history of the Palestinians. However, more importantly – most importantly to me –is the fact that this is about a boy who died in sheer terror, with his distraught father futilely trying to shelter him from the barrage of bullets coming their way.
Mohammed Al Durra was a boy, with a life, a family and friends. He died a horrible death and now he is being made to die a second one. I did not know Mohammed or his family, but I can only imagine how awful it must be for them to read these claims now and feel the pain of losing their child all over again. If nothing else, this is disrespect for human life of the worst kind.
Some may postulate that the rehashing of the Durra case is a personal jab at the French cameraman who shot the footage, Charles Enderlin. Perhaps. But as a Palestinian who has seen the pain endured by numerous families who receive the horrible news that their sons or daughters have been killed by the Israeli army, my concern is for his family and for his memory. He should be left to rest in peace. If Israel has axes to grind with French journalists or with the international community for holding it accountable for its actions, then so be it. Israel is not lacking in the public relations department.
That being said, there is just one decent thing left to do. Leave Mohammed Al Durra and his memory alone.
Joharah Baker is a Writer for the Media and Information Department at the Palestinian Initiative for the Promotion of Global Dialogue and Democracy (MIFTAH). She can be contacted at mid@miftah.org.
Recognition and justice is our demand
Date posted: May 13, 2013
By Joharah Baker for MIFTAH
This week Palestinians will commemorate Al Nakba, the catastrophe that befell the Palestinian people when Israel was founded. Every year, Palestinians hang placards pointing to the right of return, they carry keys symbolizing the homes they were forced to leave and could not return to and remember the Palestine that was lost to them 65 years ago.
This year will be no different. Every May 15, Palestinian recall their catastrophe and demand justice. They demand that they are granted the right of return for those who were made refugees virtually overnight and were then relegate to a life they did not choose. But more than anything, they demand recognition of the tragedy that befell them rather than a denial that it ever happened, or worse, that it was of their own making.
It has been 65 years since Israel was established in 1948, which means those who were cast into exile are either very old or have long passed. Those who experienced the Nakba are now few and far between, clinging to those few precious memories of a small garden in front of their house in Jaffa or of the salty smell of the sea in their neighborhood in Haifa. The rest of us are either descendants of these refugees or ordinary Palestinians who feel their cause is our cause because we are one people.
But the Palestinians have made one thing clear. The refugee issue will not die with the last refugee. It is felt nationwide, the loss, the injustice and the fact that those who were forced from their homes have mostly passed, longing for their beloved homes.
We cannot turn back time. What was lost has been altered, destroyed, changed or taken over by Israel’s newcomers. What we can do is hold on to the right to be recognized, for the injustice to be rectified in word and deed and for Palestine to never be lost in our minds or hearts.
Joharah Baker is a Writer for the Media and Information Department at the Palestinian Initiative for the Promotion of Global Dialogue and Democracy (MIFTAH). She can be contacted at mid@miftah.org.
