It is time for Arab nations to take a stand for Palestine Photo Peakpx
Palestine – Ramadan has started and with it comes another wave of violent attacks on Palestinians in Musjidul Al-Aqsa by the Israeli Defence Force. Almost like clockwork, the IDF rushed in, firing tear gas and mercilessly beating anyone in their path as they always do.
What the world saw this week is what they see every month and every Ramadan. It is nothing new and yet we have to pretend like it is. Since 1948 Israel has been subjugating the rights of Palestinians, said Ziyaad Patel, International Human Rights lawyer. Ending these abhorrent crimes against Palestinians is a complex issue. The current government of Israel are all for the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians and the international community has their hands tied by the superpowers of the world.
“We’ve got one of the most ultra-nationalist, ultra-right fascist governments led by Benjamin Netanyahu. They are well known remarks by certain members of the cabinet that have absolutely no respect, concern for Palestinians whatsoever. What is going on is the continued ethnic cleansing and genocide of the Palestinians. Unfortunately, the international community is hamstrung by political influences by United States of America, United Kingdom and the European Nations.”
The main issue
Israel is often compared to Apartheid South Africa but they are far worse. Their policies either mirror Apartheid South Africa or are much worse and this is the main issue, explained Patel. Palestine is always in a state of resistance. Their brutality knows no bounds and in an age when every action is recorded and uploaded, they seemingly get away with everything.
“When a settler colonialism regime becomes frustrated with the resistance of an oppressed people then incidents of genocide can occur. This is now agreed amongst scholars that this is what is going on in occupied Palestine.”
The storming of the Al-Aqsa compound is significant in many ways. It is an attempt by Israeli settlers trying to change the facts on the ground. This has been happening in many religious places and towns across Palestine to try and change the history of the places..
“This happens whereby you have these Israeli settlers coming into Al-Aqsa compound, Musjid and having their Passover and their religious rights there. With the aim of also persecuting and harassing Palestinians and worshipers to not go to the compound. To then change the facts on the ground and take over these very historical, religious places of worship.”
Changing the situation in Palestine
A weak argument often used by Israeli sympathisers is that Palestinians are often seen throwing stones at the IDF soldiers and resisting their authority. Stones versus automatic rifles and tanks. It is natural for the oppressed, explained Patel to use the smallest means at their disposal. What is uncalled for is the level of brutality that is shown by the IDF, which is much better equipped than unarmed civilians.
“How do you change this because you have two unequal forces … This is once again sustained by the EU and the United States (oppression by Israel). We have this very unequal balance in terms of the United Nation, the International Criminal Courts, who have now begun to investigate crimes from 201 that were perpetrated in the Gaza Strip.”
This is why Patel prepared and drafted the Implementation and Protection of Palestinian Solidarity Rights Bill (IPPSRA Bill). It advances the implementation and advocacy of Palestinian rights in South Africa. This Bill is what he uses to show other countries what legislation they can incorporate to help Palestinians.
What is needed most is for Arab nations to take a stand against Israel. Not hold their and seek friendship. It is no secret that Arab nations have taken a stance of normalisation which needs to stop.
“Our demands are fundamentally that this process of normalisation must end immediately with the State of Israel. We, as Muslims and the significance of Al-Aqsa, these kinds of actions fundamentally go against the principles of Islam. It can never be justified for Arab states to continue their relationship with Israel. This normalisation process must stop.”
Historically, the United States and the United Kingdom have always been on the side of Israel. This won’t change anytime soon. However, Arab states should not be associating with Israel. Just like how South Africa has been cutting ties with Israel, Arab and Muslims countries must do the same. Arab nations can no longer sit ideally by while their fellow brothers and sisters are mercilessly killed and beaten. The time for action is now. No longer can they afford to sit on the fence
To hear more from Ziyaad Patel on Palestine and putting an end to the oppression, listen to the podcast here:
