Although the story of the World Zionist Organisation (WZO) is well-known to Arabs, the strange thing is when the impossible becomes a reality. Now, Arabs and the world are faced with the reality of the Israeli state brought into existence by the WZO through plans that were implemented in several phases.
The Zionist organisation was founded by Theodore Herzl at the first Zionist Congress in the Swiss city of Basel on August 29, 1897, with the aim of establishing a home for the Jewish people in Palestine.
At the time, Herzl called on the participants to put down strategic multi-stage plans for the establishment of Israel within 50 years.
A little more than 50 years later, in 1948, Israel came into being.
The Israeli entity devoted the second half of the 20th century to seizing recognition of its existence from the world, especially the Palestinians.
As Arabs are aware of the WZO's dangerous role, they need to take action. Arabs need to start working in a scientific manner, exactly as the Zionists did upon establishing their organisation.
The scientific method combines intellectual theory, long-term strategic plans, and multi-stage action plans. If the Arab leadership cannot adopt the scientific methodology to bring about positive change and reforms due to the inter-Arab divide, can Arab experts and intellectuals do so?
The Arab world is sufferring from domestic problems and faces external threats. Failing to fix this situation will turn the Arab world into a fragile entity without sovereignty over its territories.
Running from these responsibilities will be a great mistake. The Arab world will end up playing into the hands of those who have dubious designs and agendas against it.
Where do the Arab people stand vis-a-vis the basic components of their societies, which are built upon the role of religion and a mix of Arab and national identities?
Arab nationalism is based on integration and shuns division. Patriotism embodies the meaning of citizenship, national identity and unity. So where do Arabs stand in the midst of all these values?
The absence of a true standing of faith and doctrinal jurisprudence as well as of their mutual relationship is fertile ground for sectarian conflict.
National allegiance can only be cultivated firmly in people who are treated equally and are given their political and social rights. This also applies to the question of Arab identity. It is essential that it is not politicised by governments or organisations that have harmed Arab nationalism.
Pan-Arabism is a cultural identity that requires complete coordination and solidarity among Arabs. Intellectuals, who truly believe in the Arab identity, but do not coordinate and act in tandem with those who, theoretically, are in the same position, are making a mistake.
Reform and correction are both required. However, these are long-term goals that require joint action, and cannot be attained by working alone or just through theories.
The main reason behind the current state of affairs in the Arab world is that the situation has been allowed to deteriorate over the past three decades.
Another cause is the failure of intellectuals, politicians and scholars to maintain healthy sectarian and ethnic diversity in the society.
There was pluralism in Arab countries throughout the 1950s and 1960s, but this diversity never became a barrier amongst Arabs or an obstacle in their struggle for liberation and national independence.
Liberation struggles in those days were marked by their general national characteristics, and truly embodied the description of national liberation movements.
Today, Arab governments have signed peace treaties with Israel and are close to the US. They will not change their position even if Israel and the US destroyed and occupied other Arab countries, and continued to kill and displace Palestinians in the Occupied Territories.
All around us, we see Arabs being divided, shamefully, into different sects. This is the result of some elements taking advantage of ethnic and sectarian divisions over the past 30 years.
What is absent is patriotism, which could have attracted Arab youth to transform their abilities into a power that unites and defends their countries.
This deteriorating situation in the Arab world demands that we break the shackles restraining people and their free will. It is equally important that Arab minds are purged of inherited misconceptions.
The solution is to establish a unified Arab identity. It should be founded on a sound democratic political base, which enhances the concept of citizenship and enhances national loyalty.
By this, Pan-Arabism will serve as a cultural and social guardian that protects and safeguards national units within each Arab state and prevents internal turmoil.
A well-organised, effective and conscious Arab elite is required to set the ambitious Arab unity model. Of course, this will not be achieved in a short time, yet it is the only hope for a better future. It will also counter foreign attempts and policies to divide Arabs and rule.
Sobhi Ghandour is the Director of Al Hewar Centre in Washington.
Your comments
It is always better for the Arabs Governaments to treat their people equal irrespective of their faith specialy within Islam to keep the entire Arab population united.
This way definately they can avoid forein forces manipulation of thier citizens and thiis is a basic requirement not a big price to pay for this.
Whenever required they can take help of other muslim nations who wants to help the Arabs to solve Palestinian problem.
Palestinian problem is a basic one for the entire muslim owrld along side Arab.
Syed Qurban Hussain
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 15, 2009, 11:15
