As Palestinian casualties continue to rise with the Israeli military ground assault into Gaza, we yet again hear the usual clarion call for “Muslim Solidarity” against Israel. The Minister in the Prime Minister Department Datuk Seri Dr Zahid Hamidi today called for a “Muslim Peacekeeping force” to be sent to Gaza…under the auspices of the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC).
The Palestinian Israeli conflict since time immemorial has never been about religion. If the “Muslim Peacekeeping force” were to be sent into Gaza, who would they be protecting the Palestinians from? Israeli Christians? That religion is once again conveniently manipulated in conflict by Umno (and Barisan National) politicians is well documented.
The actions of the Israelis is not about their military response to Hamas militants firing home-made rockets into Southern Israel as claimed. It is the manipulation of the existing conflict by the current Israeli governing party hoping to starve off defeat in the coming elections. Israel is the aggressor and with the backing of the most powerful nation in the world, the United States; continues to deprive the Palestinians of their human rights and legitimate homeland.
It is worth noting that Hamas was overwhelmingly elected by the people in Gaza and continues to enjoy that support. The Palestinian Authority under Mahmoud Abbas remains largely ineffective and continues to be plagued with corruption.
Hamas themselves are not innocent either. They were clearly aware that their home-made rockets were going to be no match against the might of the Israelis, let alone propagate the notion that they were able to take on the enemy. The firing of rockets is part of their overall political struggle to continue "engage the enemy" to ensure the issue remains on the world stage. Hamas will always attribute any resultant Palestinian civilian casualties on the Israelis.
Also, why do any appeals for action has to be associated with Islam? The call to action should be about correcting an injustice and has nothing to do with religion. Also what has the OIC done so far beyond getting together and coming up with platitudes? What did it do, when women and children were massacred in the Darfur conflict in Sudan? The Malaysian response should be from ALL Malaysians regardless of religion, creed or colour? Does it mean that if the victims are not Muslims, they are less deserving of our support? As an example, Malaysia should have protested strongly to China at the actions of Chinese Military police inhumane treatment of Tibetan Buddhist monks in Tibet last year.
The Palestinian Israeli conflict since time immemorial has never been about religion. If the “Muslim Peacekeeping force” were to be sent into Gaza, who would they be protecting the Palestinians from? Israeli Christians? That religion is once again conveniently manipulated in conflict by Umno (and Barisan National) politicians is well documented.
The actions of the Israelis is not about their military response to Hamas militants firing home-made rockets into Southern Israel as claimed. It is the manipulation of the existing conflict by the current Israeli governing party hoping to starve off defeat in the coming elections. Israel is the aggressor and with the backing of the most powerful nation in the world, the United States; continues to deprive the Palestinians of their human rights and legitimate homeland.
It is worth noting that Hamas was overwhelmingly elected by the people in Gaza and continues to enjoy that support. The Palestinian Authority under Mahmoud Abbas remains largely ineffective and continues to be plagued with corruption.
Hamas themselves are not innocent either. They were clearly aware that their home-made rockets were going to be no match against the might of the Israelis, let alone propagate the notion that they were able to take on the enemy. The firing of rockets is part of their overall political struggle to continue "engage the enemy" to ensure the issue remains on the world stage. Hamas will always attribute any resultant Palestinian civilian casualties on the Israelis.
Also, why do any appeals for action has to be associated with Islam? The call to action should be about correcting an injustice and has nothing to do with religion. Also what has the OIC done so far beyond getting together and coming up with platitudes? What did it do, when women and children were massacred in the Darfur conflict in Sudan? The Malaysian response should be from ALL Malaysians regardless of religion, creed or colour? Does it mean that if the victims are not Muslims, they are less deserving of our support? As an example, Malaysia should have protested strongly to China at the actions of Chinese Military police inhumane treatment of Tibetan Buddhist monks in Tibet last year.
Right is right AND wrong is wrong. Justice is the issue here and NOT religion. We should continue to push for a UN response to the aggression shown by Israel and call on the OIC to facilitate any international efforts to resolve the Palestinian Conflict.
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