The latest clashes between the Israeli police and the demonstrating Palestinians at Al Haram Al Sharif in occupied East Jerusalem has flared the tensions between the two sides. The Palestinians were protesting against the intrusion of the Jewish into Islam’s second holiest place. The Occupation forces responded with their usual excessive force, damaging one of the gates of Al Aqsa Mosque and arrested scores of people including minors.
Israel has already used the harshest of measures against Palestinians a number of times in the past. The world history has recorded the Israeli savagery of 2008, 2009, 2012 and more recently in the summer of 2014 in which thousands of Palestinians were killed. Who can forget the massacre of 90 innocent people in one single day in the overcrowded Shejaiya neighbourhood? I cannot but salute the spirit and resolve of the Palestinian men and women who do not fear facing the armed Occupation forces.
The actions of the Occupation forces are fuelling further tension in Occupied Jerusalem prompting Hamas to call it a “declaration of war”. Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas has warned of the “risk of an Intifada” if clashes over Al Haram Al Sharif continue. Saudi Arabia and Jordan have also reacted sharply to the situation. The Israeli aggression and angry reactions of Palestinians might lead to another catastrophe if efforts are not done to stop it.
While prevention of a bloodbath is extremely important, bringing permanent peace to the region through resolution of the conflict must be of top priority. Sadly, no serious international efforts are currently underway to settle the problem.
Palestinians, too, need to live a life of dignity and peace, just as any other citizen of the world. For this to happen, the international community should shoulder its obligation in a more concerted manner to bring about lasting peace to the region.
— The reader is an Indian procurement officer based in Abu Dhabi
