It seems that the Israel-Hamas War has brought Saudi Arabia and Iran, the two arch rivals in West Asia, closer. The Heads of State of these two countries spoke on the phone on October 11, 2023 after a long time. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud reportedly discussed the current political situation in Gaza. Although China recently mediated talks between Tehran and Riyadh, the leaders of the two countries have communicated over phone in a rare first.
The State-run Iranian media have reported that President Raisi and King Salman discussed various ways to stop the war. Interestingly, Riyadh has made no such claim. Saudi Arabia has stressed that the concerned authorities in Riyadh are talking to all international and local parties in order to stop the ongoing conflict. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has condemned attacks on innocent people carried out by both the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) and the Palestinian Hamas Movement.
Incidentally, Iran has been accused of helping Hamas with money and weapons. Although the Islamic Republic has denied the allegations, Tehran has made it clear that it is with Hamas in its fight against Israel. Saudi Arabia was all set to attend the US-mediated peace talks with Israel in an attempt to normalise ties with the Jewish nation. Unfortunately, the current political situation in West Asia has completely changed the scenario.
Foreign policy experts are of the opinion that the telephonic conversation between the leaders of Saudi and Iran, the two pillars of Arab Nationalism, is significant. They have also admitted that the Israel-Hamas conflict has exposed the differences between the modern Arab nations. While Iran wants to stick to a hard line stand as far as Israel is concerned, Saudi Arabia is ready to adopt a softer stance.
Earlier, Supreme Iranian Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Hosseini Khamenei openly congratulated Hamas for carrying out terror attacks on Israel on October 7, stressing: "Israel faces military defeat beyond repair, proud of Palestine." The Supreme Leader went on to claim that "he will kiss the hands" of those who orchestrated the attack against the Zionist regime. At the same time, he made it clear that Iran did not help the Palestinian Hamas Movement carry out the series of rocket attacks on Israeli territory bordering Gaza early on October 7 morning. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei told the press that he was proud of Palestine and supported Palestinians. However, he denied Iran's involvement in Hamas attack on Israel, stressing: "Those who link Iran to the Hamas attack on Israel are mistaken."
It may be noted that Mohandas Karamchand 'Mahatma' Gandhi (October 2, 1869 - January 30, 1948), an Indian lawyer, anti-colonial nationalist and political ethicist who employed Nonviolent Resistance to lead the successful campaign for India's Independence from British Rule, was deeply sympathetic to the plight of the Jewish people in Europe. However, he was against Zionists and the attempt to create a State of their own by force in Palestine, which was already inhabited by the Palestinian Arab people.
According to Foreign Policy experts, the Palestinian demand for a free nation is just, but legitimising mass murder of non-combatants by Hamas hurts its great cause. Israel must also reckon with its own role in fuelling the decades-long conflict. On Instagram, the Geopolitics Next has mentioned that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has its roots in the late 19th Century and early 20th Century, emanating from conflicting national and territorial aspirations in historic Palestine. Following the Balfour Declaration in 1917, which supported the establishment of a "national home for the Jewish people" in Palestine, tensions escalated between the Jewish immigrants and the Arab populace. The situation intensified after the Second World War, with the 1947 UN Partition Plan proposing the division of Palestine into Jewish and Arab States.
However, its implementation in 1948 led to the First Arab-Israeli War, resulting in the establishment of the State of Israel and the displacement of a significant Palestinian population, with Palestinians terming the event Nakba or catastrophe. In the subsequent decades, several wars, notably in 1956, 1967, 1973 and 1982, reshaped the territorial dynamics, with the 1967 Six-Day War resulting in Israeli occupation of West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem.
The Oslo Accords in the 1990s marked a significant attempt at peace, outlining a framework for Palestinian Self-governance. However, fundamental issues remained unresolved. This deep-seated conflict, compounded by religious significance, territorial disputes and political intricacies, continues to influence West Asian geopolitics to this day.
In the middle of this intricate conflict is the shocking violence recently perpetrated by Hamas in Israel. With over 5,000 rockets launched into Israel on October 7, 2023 and audacious attacks, like militants paragliding into public events, the level of aggression was unprecedented. The indiscriminate rocket attacks and guerrilla incursions not only claimed innocent lives, but also instilled fear and panic among civilians.
Even more disconnecting was the jubilant celebration of these acts of terror by various groups worldwide. Such unsettling responses do not exist in a vacuum - they are both a symptom and a perpetuator of the entrenched hostilities and animosities that have marked the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for decades. Each cheering for the loss of innocent lives on the opposing side underscores the immense challenge ahead: transforming a narrative stepped in vengeance and historical grievances into one of mutual respect, peace and coexistence.
This global reaction underscores the necessity of not just a regional, but a global shift in perspective, one that places unequivocal value on every human life and seeks constructive pathways to peace amid long-standing adversities. Demonstratively, historical divergences between Israelis and Palestinians are deeply rooted in territorial disputes, wars and evolving geopolitical paradigms. However, the story of Gaza stands apart. The Palestinian quest for self-determination, especially within Gaza, is a valid aspiration shaped by historical grievances and current complexities. Central to this discourse is Israel's de facto control over Gaza, which has profound implications for the daily lives and aspirations of Gazans.
Even though Israel officially withdrew its military and settlers from the region in 2005, its dominance over Gaza's daily life remains all pervasive. This dominance is not just symbolic, but manifests practically in the Israeli blockade that restricts Gazan access to essential resources, airspace, sea routes, electricity, water and telecommunications. The blockade, though justified by Israel as a necessary security measure against groups, like Hamas, has inadvertently led to socio-economic stagnation in Gaza. This is best represented by the dire statistics of a 29.7% poverty rate in 2020, showcasing the dire circumstances under which many Gazans live today.
This Israeli dominance, combined with extremist factions' agendas within Gaza, has locked ordinary Gazans in a recurring cycle of despair and conflict. The recent acts of aggression by Hamas, targeting Israeli civilians, are indicative of this cycle. Such acts not only endanger innocent lives, but also muddy the waters for a potential peaceful resolution between the two sides.
Palestinians have also consistently voiced concerns over what they perceive as disproportionate and indiscriminate violence directed at them by the IDF, particularly in Gaza. Many incidents involve civilian casualties resulting from Israeli air strikes, which evoke international condemnation and heighten anti-Israel sentiments. Israelis, in response, often emphasise the challenges of combatting Hamas that operates within densely populated areas of Gaza.
The IDF assert that while they employ precision strikes targeting militant operatives and infrastructure, the unfortunate civilian casualties often occur because Hamas fighters embed themselves within civilian neighbourhoods, using them as shields. The added complexity of Gaza being one of the most densely populated regions worldwide exacerbates this issue. This pattern of conflict, wherein militant actions provoke retaliatory strikes leading to civilian casualties, perpetuates a seemingly unending cycle of violence and mistrust on both sides.
Regardless, for the family of a Gazan (who died because of Israeli action), any explanation of logistical challenges will inevitably fall on deaf ears. After all, a civilian dying because of an air strike that had nothing to do with her/him/them, is rightfully anger inducing.
Considering the above dynamics, a series of policy recommendations emerges: These include fostering transparent democratic governance in Gaza, ensuring it stands free from the influence of extremist factions. A balanced mediation facilitated by neutral entities could pave the way for dialogues that acknowledge past transgressions and set the stage for future cooperation. Economic initiatives, involving Israel, Egypt and the global community, could provide much-needed relief and development for Gaza, offering its people a chance at improved living conditions. Reevaluating the restrictive measures imposed on Gaza, while addressing Israel's legitimate security concerns, is also essential. Moreover, fostering avenues for civic diplomacy and people-to-people interactions can sow the seeds for mutual respect and understanding, breaking the chains of longstanding mistrust.
More importantly, it is crucial for both sides to understand that neither side can completely vanquish the other. The other side, regardless of which side of the aisle you are on, cannot be completely expelled or destroyed. Compromises, though inconvenient, will have to be made. Else, West Asia and the world run the risk of the endless cycle of violence.
Finally, both Israel's assertive stance in Gaza and the actions of certain Palestinian factions contribute to the current impasse. Achieving peace requires mutual acknowledgement, engagement and a shared commitment to coexistence and understanding. The Palestinian desire for a sovereign nation is legitimate. Still, it should be pursued through channels of dialogue and mutual respect, not in the shadow of violent measures, regardless of how systematically violent actions are portrayed. The same goes for Israel. Complete and utter dominance of Gaza, and the Palestinians at large, might play out well for certain domestic societal segments, but it bodes poorly for its own self in the long run.
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