Countries or territories are human construct, which are essential for human survival. Either inspired divinely or otherwise, the fact remains that the need for humans to exist and thrive gives rise to gaining territories in the first instance and probably deeming it fit to expand such territories. Survival, is always an overriding factor that would make it necessary to clamour, fight or employ both, for laying claim to land. The Jewish people for centuries around the world had for strange reasons had a raw deal with different civilizations, instances of persecution thus led the Jews to migrate globally.
The twentieth century despite it being Europe’s century of democracy could not save people of Jewish descent. Sadly, the Nazis and fascists in Europe thought that their problems, whatever they are, were caused by this minority of European citizens. At the end of the second War World War, the Jewish people could not trust their endless persecutions not to continue and thus felt it was only proper to go back to their ancestral land. The migration back to the ancient land of the Jews in what was mostly Palestine and the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948, was to set off series of events which have culminated in the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, that has not abated ever since.
The 1967 Yum Kippur war would seem to have been an opportunity for the Israelis to consolidate their hold on the land, which they see as the Israeli state by right. Consolidation led to encroaching on designated Palestinian lands, with the result of resistance. While the Palestinians where resisting, politics naturally took over, splitting the Palestinians into two distinct camps, the moderates, and hardliners. Fast forward, over fifty years of the Israeli and Palestinian conflict, the dynamics of the conflict has produced, what can only be a compromise for an eventual resolution.
The reasons for a compromise are multifaceted and would be dissected, if only a few. Over the years, majority of Palestinian settlements such as the Gaza strip and Ramallah have become huge refuge camps where humanitarian activity has become big business. The results are generations of Palestinians are stuck in these settlements without any real chance of living an organised life. The Palestinian authority on its part has been accused of becoming too comfortable and complacent in managing its affairs, which has impacted not too positively on the people. Young Palestinians activists and politicians accuse the Palestinian Liberation Organisation, PLO leadership of corruption, their argument is that the lives of the people under Palestinian authority have not fared well. Would this be avoidable under a position of siege and blockade, which has festered over the years?
The emergence of Donald Trump was another factor that helped in changing the narrative, slightly favouring the Israelis. President Trump perhaps using his biblical understanding to give succour to legitimising some moves made by Prime Minister Netanyahu, further weakened the hands of the Palestinians. Jerusalem became the unified religious capital of the Jewish people, cancelling Palestinian claim over East Jerusalem.
Probably the last nail that could well have sealed the coffin for any full claim to old Palestine or most practically at least a clawback of pre 1967 Palestinian land, is the current friendly relationship which exists between the rich gulf states and the state of Israel.
Out of the principle of regime self-preservation, and the need to retain the friendship of the United States in a region which is fast seeing the growing influence of Iran and Turkey, a turnaround of mending fences with Israel seems to be the only real option for the Princes in the Gulf. The gulf states would do whatever makes the USA happy, which includes making up with the old enemy, Israel. One by one the gulf states were seen falling upon one another and eventually falling in line.
Also, the new world order seems to have economic dominance as a precursor for political relevance. This thinking is predicted by the rise of China and India, and old allies such as the United States and the gulf royal houses would rather stick together as a bulwark to this new reality. This new political narrative, unfolding, thus presents the Palestinians as bystanders being left by the wayside if not totally left behind.
The Jewish lobby worldwide, the rich gulf states, powerful but pragmatic Arab states such as Egypt etc and of course the United States as a team, with the Palestinians on the other side of the divide backed by countries that are essentially economic lightweights makes a compromise to resolving the age-old conflict inevitable. China is more concerned with maintaining its newfound economic power status by widening and deepening its influence globally, while Putin in Russia wants to stay on in power. Nobody is keen rocking the applecart as it is presently, and this scenario might not change.
The two-state solution of both Israel and Palestinian territories existing side by side, most likely based on the borders drawn after the 1967 war will stay. The Palestinians would have to come to terms with the reality of living with Jewish settlements in the west bank. The settlers can be dual citizens of the Palestinian territory, subject to Palestinian laws and paying taxes, while also contributing to the economic growth of the larger host community. The socio-economic potentials of the Palestinian territories and its people, after so many decades need a reawakening after being dormant for so long. The world eagerly looks forward to this rebirth.
© Copyright, Olugbenga Adebanjo
Ojuriblog 