Current Predicament in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

At this moment, US President Barack Obama, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and at least 120 heads of State or Government, might have already arrived in New York to attend this year's UN General Assembly. At this year's UN General Assembly, we can UN member countries to debate and discuss issues pertaining to nuclear safety, famine in Africa, Libya and other major issues. But the highlight of the debate and discussion for this year's UN General Assembly definitely focused on Palestinian Authority's application to join the United Nations as a member country.
The determination of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in wanting to file in an application for Palestine to become an UN member country is very firm. After giving his address at the UN General Assembly on 23 September, Mohamoud Abbas submitted Palestine's application documents to join the United Nations as a member country to the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. After this, the "showdown" at the UN General Assembly between the Israeli regime and the Palestinian authority will officially be on at the UN platform.
Movement Against Palestinian Authority
At this stage, apart from the Israeli regime which has continued to intimidate the Palestinians, the United States, the European Union and the so-called Quartet West (the United States, European Union, Russia and the United Nations) are still making last-minute effort to discourage and to advise the Palestinian Authority on giving up its application to the UN as a member country. The consequence after the Palestinian authority filed an application in wanting to become an UN member is indeed unpredictable. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has also warned his fellow Palestinians that in the coming days, Palestinians will face even more (unpredictable) problems.
Abbas indeed knows very well that the consequence for the Palestinian Authority to file in an application to become an UN member can be very serious. However, regardless of what will happen to the Palestinians in the coming days, he has decided to fight for the independence of Palestine through seeking the help of the UN member countries now. Such a strong determination taken by the Palestinian Authority in wanting to become an independence country has reflected the political reality that in addition to the despair of the Palestinians after engaging more than 20 years of peace negotiation with the Israeli regime, their despair has also exposed the hypocrisy of the United States in its handling of Israeli-Palestinian affairs all along.
Although the United States has expressed its support for the "two state solution" framework to allow peaceful coexistence between Palestinians and Israelis, but it appears that all the peace proposals coming from the United States in wanting to resolve the pending Israeli-Palestinian conflicts are but empty talks. These empty talks coming from the United States can only let the Palestinians getting "excited" for a short while only. This is because in order for the United States to support and implement the Israel-Palestine "two-state solution framework", the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority must first resolve the vast and varied issues between them. These issues have included calling the Israeli regime to stop building more Jewish settlements in the Palestinian occupied land and for the common border between Israel and Palestine to retract back to the 1967 period. In addition, the Israeli authority must also allow the Palestinians to use East Jerusalem as its capital; to allow the tens and thousands of Palestinian refugees scattered in Jordon and other countries to return to their homeland, and so on. However, so far, the Israeli authority has even refused to issue an official command to stop the Israelis from building more Jewish settlements on the Palestinian land. As such there is no hope for the Palestinian Authority to expect the Israeli regime to take action on other issues that can move toward the two-state solution plan for Israel and Palestine.
Pressure on Israeli Authority
As a strong ally of Israel, the US Government has, besides repeatedly proclaimed that it will support the independence of Palestine, and besides issuing regrets to deplore the uncalled for action taken by the Israeli regime on the Palestinian land, the US Government has not taken any actual or pragmatic action to support the Palestinians. The US Government is afraid to offend the influential Jewish community in the United States.
The US Government dares not exert pressure on the Israeli authority and force the Israeli regime to make concessions toward the Palestinian Authority so that the Israeli-Palestinian peace talk can be resumed again. In this regard, the United States cannot escape the responsibility for causing the present predicament between the Israeli and the Palestinian Authority that has in turn led the Palestinians having to use the United Nations as its next political platform to resolve their pending problems.

Europe, US To Tell Palestinians Not To File Application as UN Member

Palestinian Authority has announced its application in wanting to become a member country of the United Nations. This announcement made the Israeli authority extremely furious. Israel has come out with a stern warning and said action taken by the Palestinian authority will end with a "tragic result." In addition, Israel has even given Palestine the hint that not only the Israeli authority will not allow Palestine to become an independent country; it will even annex some of its lands. As it stands, the United States and the European Union (EU) are getting very nerves over this recent development by the Palestinian authority in wanting to become an UN member.
Israeli-Palestinian Negotiating Table
On one hand, they warned the Palestinian regime that such action taken by the Palestinian authority will result in the United States and the EU cutting off their aid and assistance to the Palestinians; on the other, they also quickly dispatched special envoy to meet up with Palestinian and Israeli leaders respectively. They hope that at the eleventh hour, they can convince the Palestinian authority to give up its action in wanting to file a membership application to the United Nations but will instead choose to return to the Israeli-Palestinian negotiating table to settle their disputed border.
However, we must understand that it has been a dream for the Palestinians to become an independent country for a long time now. For more than 20 years in the past, the Palestinian authority has already engaged in numerous rounds of peace talks with the Israeli regime to settle the territorial dispute. Palestinians also hope that they can become an independent state under some kind of peaceful negotiation atmosphere. But until today, there is still no progress in the peace talk between the Palestinian authority and the Israeli authority. Palestinians are in a "desperate" stage now. They have no other choice but to apply to the United Nations and ask the UN member countries to recognize it as an independent nation. It is difficult for Europe and the United States to tell the Palestinians not to file an application as an UN member.
Pragmatic Solution
As the situation stands now, although the United States and European nations are rather anxious about the application of UN membership by the Palestinian authority, the only measure they can do at this moment is try to persuade the Palestinian authority not to apply as an UN member; however, until today, the West especially the United States still cannot find a pragmatic solution which is acceptable by the Palestinian authority to resume peace negotiation talk with Israel. The last Israeli-Palestinian talk was held more than a year ago. But at that peace talk, due to the fact that the Israeli authority has insisted on the continual construction of the Jewish settlements in the Palestinian territories, the peace talks has broken down eventually.
Palestinian-Israeli Border Conflict
However, the Palestinian authority's demand now is different. The Palestinian authority has, besides insisting that the Israeli side must stop constructing permanent settlements in the Palestinian land, it also demands that the revived peace negotiation talk on the Palestinian-Israeli border must be based on the Palestine territory before the Six Day War held on 1967. In addition, the Palestinian authority also said that the peace negotiation talk with the Israeli regime must be based on the principle that East Jerusalem would become the future capital of Palestine. But all these conditions set by the Palestinian authority are also the terms firmly opposed by the Israeli side. As such, the special envoys sent by the United States and European nations to the respective Israeli and Palestinian side can only say all the good things they can say in the hope that eventually the Israeli authority and the Palestinian authority can resume peace talk between them. Yet in reality, they can only do the "talking" they cannot persuade either side to give in a little bit of concessions to the other side in order to cut a negotiation deal. So, the lobbying miss ions of the US and European envoy to Israel and Palestine are doomed to fail.
US Support to Israel
In fact, on the pending Palestinian demand in wanting to file in an application for UN membership, US President Obama has also faced with a sense of helplessness. On one hand, President Obama does not want to offend the powerful and influential Jewish community in the United States, and on the other, President Obama also does not want to further alienate the Arab countries if the United States chooses to support Israel. However, after weighing the types of interests he can obtain from both sides, in the end, President Obama still chose to support the Israeli authority and will prevent the application of the UN membership by the Palestinian authority.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, the authority that represents the Palestinians, is determined to submit an application for Palestine to become an UN member to the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on 23 September. However, according to the spokesperson of the Palestinian authority, if a "trusted choice" favorable to the Palestinian authority can emerge prior to 23 September; the Palestinian authority will still take it into consideration. However, due to the shortage of lead time, there is no indication to show that the Israeli regime will soften its position on its peace negotiation term with the Palestinian authority. It is thus unavoidable for a new round of fight between the Israel authority and the Palestinian authority to emerge in the United Nations in the coming days.

Agreement Between HAMAS, Fateh Historic Achievement

The people who had become disheartened by the events of the past few months in the Middle East got a sense of relief and joy at the joining together of the two large groups of Palestinians -- HAMAS and Fateh. Otherwise, the everyday tensions of the Islamic world had drowned them in despair. Egypt, Libya, Syria, and Jordan--the political storms at last gave some relief. For the past four years, tensions between the two groups were good news for the enemies of Islam, especially Israel. But today, when this news was announced that in spite of the many attempts of their enemies the two groups have reached to work together, it was enough to make Israel and its guardian writhe with jealousy.
Israel bared its fangs and immediately announced its decision to withhold tax revenue from the Fateh group. This was announced by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He even said that the Fateh will have to choose between Israel and the Islamic group, while its chief protector the United States without making any comment, announced that US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has spoken to Netanyahu and Fateh leader Mahmoud Abbas.
Differences and Act
Attempts at reconciliation between the HAMAS and the Fateh started two months ago and now, at last, these attempts had reached fruition. Both parties have shown their appreciation. The world history has is witness that whenever Muslims put their differences on the back burner and put up a united front, they have always got success, while the Koran has told them to set aside their differences and act as one. And whenever, on the orders of the Almighty, they have said "Labbayk " [Arabic for 'I have come O Lord' they have tasted success]. Now that Palestinians have chosen the path of unity, definitely success will be their fate and their enemies will be wiped out.
Enemies of Islam will know the strength of Islam. They know that Muslims do not rest until they have wiped out their enemies from existence. That is why they know that whenever their community gets united, it spells trouble for them. They know that unity among Muslims means trouble for them and that is why they keep putting obstacles in their path. They keep threatening the Fateh that if they sort out their differences with the HAMAS, then its cooperation with Israel will be put in grave danger. This means that behind the scenes, the Fateh was threatened that if it makes up with the HAMAS, then its cooperation with Israel and the United States will be in jeopardy and can also end in war. But all their attempts came to naught and both the groups have signed this historic document.
Important Step Taken
From the news pouring in, the signatures are of Abu Zauq of the HAMAS and Azam Ahmad of the Fateh. HAMAS leader Khalid Mashal and Fateh leader Mahmoud Abbas did not affix their signatures on this agreement, but in the joint statement that was issued in Egypt both leaders showed agreement and called it an historic achievement. Observers of the events in Palestine and Israel agree that this has been a very important step. This will be very beneficial for the Palestinian public, and the most important aspect of the Palestinian state coming up.
Muslims and all right-thinking people of the world wishes that war in Palestinians will end and both sides will jointly be able to struggle for an independent Palestinian State. Because of this fratricidal struggle, both sides were suffering heavy losses, as they had to concentrate on two fronts which were frittering away their strength. Now they will be able to land a heavy blow on their enemy. Now that both the groups have sorted out their differences, they will concentrate on a single point--the establishment of an independent Palestinian State, and land a body blow to their enemy.
Joy for Islamic World
With this agreement not only the Palestinian factions are happy, but the entire Islamic world rejoices, because the land of Palestine is for Muslims. Regardless of which part of the world he may be living in, Palestine has a spiritual connection. This is where He turns to when Muslim recites His prayers. That is why there is a wave of joy to welcome this agreement.
All those who preach peace in the world are in darkness regarding this agreement and are trying to secretly sabotage it. This process has started. That is why the Fateh and the HAMAS and the Palestinian public should guard this agreement and protect it from their enemies, who are shamefully trying to prevent the building of an independent Palestinian State. The whole world, Muslims and all right-thinking people and good wishes are with them.

Japan, Palestine Create Cooperation

Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama recently had a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Tokyo when the Palestinian leader visited to Japan recently.
The peace process in West Asia and friendship between Japan and Palestine became the major discussion topics during the meeting of the two leaders.

West Asia Peace Process
During the meeting, Hatoyama expressed Japan's readiness to assist Palestine to build its economy on its own and manage various institutions. This is to help Palestine to stand as an independent country one day later.
The Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia, Masahiko Horie said, in order to achieve that objective, Japan and Palestine agreed to work together and set up the Corridor of Peace and Prosperity or Agro Industry Park in Jericho, West Bank.
In the meeting, Hatoyama also expressed the wish to work together with East Asian countries in contributing to peace in West Asia.
"In Hatoyama's opinion, East Asian countries can step up their roles in accordance with their respective economic and political status in the international arena to help in the peace process of West Asia," he said. Horie said so in a letter sent to Utusan Malaysia recently to inform about the meeting between Hatoyama and Abbas in Tokyo.

Joint Statement
In the joint statement, Hatoyama called on Israel to stop all occupation activities in the territory of Palestine. He also expressed Japan's commitment in extending aids to people of the Gaza Strip.
The statement adds, in the meeting, Hatoyama and Abbas had reached an agreement that the peace talk between Israel and Palestine which had been delayed for almost one year should be resumed. The Israel-Palestine peace talk has halted since the end of 2008 when Israel launched attacks lasted for three weeks against the Gaza Strip. The attacks killed 1,400 Palestinians and 13 Israeli citizens.
The Defense Minister of Israel, Ehud Barak described the absence of a peace treaty with Palestine as a bigger threat against the future of the Jewish country than any 'bomb from Iran'.
The joint statement of Hatoyama and Abbas added, Japan and Palestine also reached an agreement to implement several measures under the Japan-Palestine Program to Make Palestine an Advanced Country.
"Among the measures is that Japan will deploy a special mission to Palestine to study the needs and assistance Palestine needs from Japan in the aspects of institution and capacity building.
Other measure is to have discussion with Israel and Jordan next month to develop Jericho and valley area in Jordan as tourist spots," said the statement.
In addition, the statement also mentions that the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and representatives from Palestine will increase the efforts to promote trade and investment in Palestine.
In the joint statement, Hatoyama and Abbas also voiced their objection against using nuclear weapons and expressed their commitment in improving the friendly ties between Japan and Palestine.
The relations between Japan and Palestine are not something new. According to the website of the Foreign Ministry of Japan, Japan has been active in providing various kinds of aids to the people of Palestine since 1993, which include humanitarian aids, reconstruction, confidence building program and various types of aids so that Palestine could enjoy a sustainable economy.

Oppression of People
Japan is also one of the biggest donor country to Palestine with more than $1 billion aids extended since 1993. This was the second time Abbas, also known as Mahmoud Abbas, visited to Japan since he became the Palestinian President in 2005. In addition, Japan, Abbas also visited to Korea. Japan's concern over Palestine could to a certain extent help to reduce the burden of the Palestinian people who have lived under oppression over the years.
The international community should emulate Japan's concern over Palestine. Japan has been wishing to see the Palestinian people to live independently like citizens of other countries and the hope of peace in West Asia come true.