The New York Times Publishes Op Ed from Moammar Qadaffi

I was reading the New York Times online the other day when I came across an Op Ed by none other than the benevolent dictator, Col. Qadaffi of Libya. He writes what appears on the surface to be a somewhat logical argument that the only solution for peace in the Middle East is to destroy Israel’s existence in its present form and to unite West Bank, Gaza, and Israel unite to become one country, called “Israstine”. Many readers posted replies of elated agreement. Unfortunately, his twisted rhetoric is mostly based on his and the Arab world opinion without factual back-up but with several half-truths. He attempts to soften the reader by beginning each paragraph with an admission of Israel’s democracy and fair treatment of Israeli Arabs and that the Palestinians left Israel in 1948 on their own accord despite the Jews’ invitations to stay and to form an integral part of the new country. One should note that this goal of destroying Israel demographically to restore the entire Middle East to a Muslim majority has been the goal of the Arab world since Israel’s foundation and would destroy the State of Israel as a Jewish homeland and, most likely, as a first world democracy.

Here is a better solution for the 7 million Muslims, Jews, Drus, Christians, B'hais, etc. as well as the descendants of the 700,000 Muslims and Christians that left in 1948. Israel and Palestine will be two closely allied countries that share tourism and allow visitors from both sides cross easily to visit touristic sites, relatives, friends, and to work. The Jews in the West Bank will be tax-paying Palestinian citizens and will strengthen the economic and strategic ties with Israel much like the Israeli Arabs are an integral part of Israel. Palestinians can visit and bring tour groups into the Old City of Jerusalem and Israeli groups can visit Jericho and other important Jewish sites and eat at the fish restaurants on the beautiful Mediterranean beaches of Gaza. Archeology buffs can visit the excavated historical buildings of Gaza that date back over 3,000 years. Educated Muslim, Christian, and Jewish Palestinians will be a source of highly educated labor for international corporations that now employ thousands of Israelis. Palestinians will be a preferred labor pool in Israel instead of the Asian and African migrants now working in Israeli factories and hotels.

Qadaffi does not mention that over 700,000 Jews were forced to flee Arab states after 1948 when their Arab population attacked their fellow Jewish citizens, burned schools and synagogues after Israel survived the attacks by the Arab nations. Many of these Jews had their homes in these countries for thousands of years, although they usually 2nd class citizens with fewer rights than the Muslim majority. In Qaddafi’s country alone, hundreds of Jews were murdered in Tripoli in 1945, before Israel’s foundation. When the Great Leader came to power in 1968, he confiscated all Jewish property and declared all debts to Jews forgiven. Most of these thousands of Jewish citizens fled with no compensation for their homes and were absorbed by Israel and given citizenship. Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, Egypt, Iraq, Morocco, all share similar stories. The Jews lived in tents and whatever structure would hold them in Israel until the country could find homes and work for them. They were resourceful and knew they had no choice and nowhere else to go. Libya and the rest of the Middle East never compensated these citizens that often fled for their lives. The Arab states could use the money owed to their Jewish citizens to encourage the Palestinians to invest in their country and to change the seething entitled victim culture that is pervasive in the West Bank and Gaza.

Of the 700,000 Arabs that left the recently formed Israel in 1948, only those older than their mid-70's would be able to say they grew up in what is Israel. Of those, few of them would have had ownership to property. Changing the government of the Palestinians to be an Israeli/Palestinian, Islamic, or even a secular government would not move the Palestinians from their current homes because the villages and towns their ancestors inhabited are now fully occupied homes to Israeli Arabs and Jews. Current residents have lived in these areas now for generations and many are, themselves, ancestors of refugees. Few that remain in Palestine ever lived in Israel. Thus, if one is against Zionism because it allows Jews that have never lived in Israel to move there to immigrate, then one must also oppose Palestinians’ Right of Return as they are not “returning”. Most have never lived there. The possibility of those still living returning is waning as the Palestinians have no uniting leader to negotiate with Israel.

Palestinian extremists have proudly acclaimed that they are patient and can outlast the Jews in Israel with their sporadic terrorism in order to overthrow Israel. Sadly for them, time is working against them. Their constant state of war and terrorism has caused Israel to defend herself by constructing fences and walls and to send troops into outposts in areas designated to be the Palestinian State. These outposts later became some of the settlements that have grown to 250,000 people. These people can be the Palestinian Jews that will bring lead Palestine to a regional alliance with Israel.

Eighty percent of what was historic Palestine is now the West Bank, Gaza and Jordan. Israel is less than 1% of the land size of the Middle East. Yet, these Arab states have allowed the Palestinian Arabs to fester in these refugee camps for 60 years and have obsessed with the 1% that is not Muslim dominated. Many of those that fled attacked Israel and none of their leaders have acknowledged Israel’s right to exist. Israel has paid to build much of the infrastructure of the West Bank and Gaza and billions of aid has been squandered by Arafat and corrupt leaders of these people. The Palestinians and virtually all of the Middle East (except for Israel, Egypt, and Turkey) have officially been in a state of war against Israel since her foundation. The British and French that captured the area from the Turks that occupied it for 350 years gave most of Palestine to Jordan and some to Syria. Lebanon also was able to become a State. Jews were forced out of these areas, including communities in the West Bank while all parties were jockeying to create new countries. The tiny area that is now Israel was mainly primitive undeveloped land. Palestinians can build a similar country with the help of the global activists that support it. There are enough parties willing to help.

The benevolent dictator points out that in Israel, all religions are accepted and participate in the Israeli democratic processes. The Colonel tells us how the Arab population that did not abandon Israel before it was attacked after declaring itself an independent state, is still an important part of the Israeli democratic society. While I am against the hard core religious Zionists that want all of historical Israel to be part of the Jewish State and have, thus, created settlements on empty hilltops n the West Bank, a new “Palestine” could be a great ally to Israel and Israel could use its strong military to protect its neighbor. The Jewish population, now known as Settlers, will be tax-paying Palestinians and will maintain strong ties and alliances with the Israeli government to ensure a strong alliance militarily and economically.

The victim mentality breeds anger, resentment, and hatred. It is also a convenient way to avoid responsibility. Billions have been given to the rulers of “Palestine” to mostly be squandered on weapons and offshore private bank accounts. Israel has contributed huge financial investment in Palestinian infrastructure as well. Qadaffi is right that people should not have to live in something resembling refugee camps. The poverty will be eliminated in these territories when a reasonable regime can unite the people to do something similar to what Israel has done: build a thriving economy in what was formerly a backward seldom visited desert. They have a willing ally in Israel and, supposedly, in other Arab states.

Peace and diplomacy between the countries will allow a great flow of workers and tourists to go between the countries for work and travel. Palestinians can visit the cities that where their ancestors lived as can Israelis in the towns of Judea and Samaria (The West Bank) which will then be known as the State of Palestine. The Jews in Palestine and the Arabs in Israel will help ensure strong relations and ties.

The Colonel argues that a Palestinian State next to Israel would be a great security hazard to Israel because one of the thinnest points in the country would only be about 10 miles wide. He is right that Israel is a tiny land, less than 1% of the Middle East. If it were breached in a war by the seething nation of Palestine, it would cut the Israel in half. He assumes that, the new Palestinian state would be an enemy to Israel but that these same people will be peaceful citizens in Isratine. This is understood as the vast majority of Palestinians are less than 25 years old and study in schools that preach hatred and martyrdom against those that are not Muslim. Somehow, Qaddafi tells us all will be OK if they can move to the urban Israeli cities mentioned: Haifa, Akko, and Jaffa.

Palestine has wonderful resources and history in their current lands and can develop these to build a thriving economy alongside Israel, Jordan, and Egypt. Jordan is mainly populated by Palestinians although they have no representation in the government and Israel has over a million Palestinian Muslims. These allies will certainly help trade and tourism in the new State. Gaza City is an ancient city dating back to before ancient Israel was established. The archeology is spectacular, although is is still underground. It has beautiful beaches on the Mediterranean and a port. It borders Egypt and Israel. The West Bank is home to many great and ancient cities such as Jericho as well as archeological spectacles, the Jordan River, deserts, and mountains. Like Alaska, Gaza is not contiguous but it allows Palestinians give its future citizens beaches, a deep history and architecture.

While, in the late 1990’s, it looked like there would be peace. Israel opened her borders to thousands of workers that came over every day to work. These workers have been replaced by Eastern migrant workers and African refugees being given asylum. At Camp David, Arafat was offered unlimited access to holy sites in Jerusalem and 95% of the West Bank that, until Israel’s occupation, was occupied by Jordan. Arafat left the negotiations to start the last Intifada, killing many hundreds of civilians in Israel. This provoked Israel to close her borders in defense and scrutinize every suicide bomber risk causing economic disaster for Palestinian non-militants and eventually, to construct a huge fence and wall to stop the terrorists from circumventing border crossings. It once looked like the two economies would work well together. However, they have been forcibly divorced.
Suddenly throwing together two peoples that have deep resentment toward each other from generations of war is a burning powder keg. Millions of Jews that have escaped persecution in the Soviet Union, Germany, and the Middle East and have landed in a tiny safe haven where they can openly pray and live their culture, is a worthy cause. Jordan occupied the West Bank and East Jerusalem until 1967 and Eqypt occupied Gaza. Jordan was the largest portion of Palestine but we never hear cries to let the West Bank Palestinians into Jordan to create a democracy from the existing monarchy.

Two states, two close allies. Thousands of tourists will be coming to the nature, historical and archeological sites, religious holy sites, and beaches of Palestine. The mixtures of the Middle Eastern foods and the European foods brought by the European Israelis. A Jewish country, restored in some of the ancient land with Jerusalem as its capital and where all religions are respected and encouraged. A Club Med in Gaza, ancient Jericho partially restored, Ramallah a thriving banking/hi-tech town. Gaza City with gorgeous mosques calling the believers to prayer five times per day. Religious Jewish Palestinians helping build a progressive economy. Arab Israelis continuing to play important roles in the Parliament and political arena in Israel. Arab dictators will have trouble keeping the spotlight off of their persecutions and crackdowns on opposition.

Sorry, Mr. Qadaffi but, once there is actually an alliance with Israel and her next door neighbor, Palestine, eyes will turn to you and your taxation without representation and oppression of minorities. Democracy and entrepreneurship can be contagious. It will be dangerous to you and the rest of the kings and dictators in the Middle East.