| By: Salim Nazzal |
| The one day Intifada, which took place in and around Palestine on May 15th 2011, could be a turning point in the conflict with the Zionist state. Israel used its weaponry, which led to the deaths of approximately 20 peaceful demonstrators and the injury of an approximately 300 others. However, the killing of peaceful demonstrators is not the most shocking or significant aspect of what took place. As this has always been the policy of the Zionist regime. The importance of this Intifada is that it occurred during a period of Arab uprisings, which will no doubt have an impact on future conflict with Israel. For this reason, Israel was the first to express concern at such changes, even though they promise to take the Arab region from a despotic Era into a democratic Era. One of the major fruits of the Arab revolution has been the ending of the Palestinian division. Israel used the division as an excuse to ignore and”escape" international pressure and condemnation, whilst extensively increasing its illegal settlement activities. During the past 63 years, Israel has succeeded in removing Palestine from existence. It has rewritten a fictional history to fit the size and convenience of the Zionist project. Palestine is presented by the Zionist project as an empty land which was lying dormant, whilst it awaited the return of the Jews. During this time the Zionist project has been based on the removal of Palestine and the removal of Palestinians, both physically and culturally using a policy of " force and more force" aligned with an active and heavy propaganda machine , used to brainwash public opinion in order to market the Zionist project. On the 15th May 2011, the voices of the Palestinian victims have been widely heard, and the thousands worldwide who have moved towards the Palestinian cause could well number in the millions now. When an Israeli writer calls for Palestinians to forget the past and accept the status quo, he must know very well that this is merely wishful thinking on his part. It makes no sense at all to proud Palestinians, who insist that their stolen land and rights are restored to them. Perhaps it is the right time that Israelis start working to change heart because it is the only way that gives them the possibility to live and integrate in Palestine on equal footing with the native Palestinians. The prolongation of the culture of power and violence in the Israeli society will only lead them to be more hated in the region. The white European society in the old South Africa is the best example which demonstrates that the change of culture towards embracing the culture of justice has opened the door widely towards a democratic state for all. One of the demonstrators who travelled with his two sons to the Palestine / Lebanon border said to me, that this trip has convinced him and other demonstrators, that the defeat of Israel will be easier than previously thought. In his view, if a million Palestinians march towards their stolen villages in Palestine, the whole conflict will be redefined and new fault lines drawn. One of the most fascinating stories of the 15th may 2011 is that of Hassan Hijazi. Hassan managed to cross the Syrian border into the Zionist state and reached his home town of Jaffa. He told the Israeli media that his repatriation is symbolic as it indicates that in the future Palestinians will be repatriated to their homeland. Young Palestinian men have taken the cause into their own hands, after the failure of previous corrupt leaders to do anything to promote the crucial issue of right of return. Young Palestinians are aware that the balance is shifting, gradually, towards the Palestine side. They wish to consolidate this position and are calling for a new Palestinian strategy that acknowledges the changes taking place. They know that the Zionist state is tiring and also more isolated, globally, than ever before. Even if one doesn’t expect a sudden miracle to take place regarding the right of return question. It is a certainty that this optimistic and determined Palestinian generation will play a major part in the times to come. |
| * A Palestinian-Norwegian historian in the Middle East, who has written extensively on social and political issues in the region. - salim_nazzal@yahoo.com |
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