Democracy in Action, or Democracy Inaction?
Democracy is the peoples government. Democracy is accountability. Democracy is majority rules. Democracy is fair. Democracy is...good.
Well, maybe not. After years of international pressure, an Arab country has finally held democratic elections. No foreign military needed here to “foster democracy”. No, after the death of Yassir Arafat the Palestinian authority voluntarily held democratic elections and started down the road to global acceptance.
Until recently that is.
The second round of elections held earlier this year saw the rise to power of a globally recognized “terrorist” organization, namely Hamas. What's interesting about these election results is that they were just that, election results. Hamas didn't overthrow a government, assassinate a leader or militarily take control. No, the Palestinian people voluntarily elected Hamas to power and to represent them in the global arena knowing full well all of the possible problems it could cause.
I for one congratulate the Palestinians. They have done exactly what is being demanded of so many other Arab nations. With this election, the people really have let their will be known and this presents a real problem for the world, in particular the US.
Consider what is being demanded of Hamas. They are to renounce all violence and accept the Israeli state. But to do so would recognize and legitimize Israel's illegal taking of Palestinian land. It would legitimize Israel's continual flaunting of UN resolutions, most importantly 242. It would legitimize the last imperialistic expansion in recent history. I don't see the Palestinians accepting this solution, the election results are the best indication of this. The Palestinians will demand a return of all land before the (UN recognized) illegal expansion of Israel in 1967 and, upon that action, offer recognition of Israel.
This election presents an interesting problem for the US. The US has been one of the biggest, if not the biggest force promoting democracy in the middle east, sometimes by force. Afghanistan and Iraq immediately come to mind. By the US's reaction to the Palestinian elections it is apparent that democracy is only acceptable on our terms, when leaders who will work with the US are elected. In response to the elections the US Israel and the EU have threatened monetary retaliation against Hamas led Palestine. Think about the message this sends to the struggling Iraqi or Afghani government, ”We will support you as long as you conform to our wishes, particularly when it comes to Israel”. The “Israel-Palestinian conflict” as it's often called, hell lets just call a spade a spade, the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land is like a knife in the side of every Arab. They can't fathom why the world, specifically the US, has sided with a country that is so blatantly acting illegally. I have to again refer to the numerous UN resolutions demanding return of stolen land to Palestine.
Now of course neither side is innocent in this conflict. From Palestinian suicide bombers to Israeli missile attacks on civilians, both sides have blood on their hands. Lots of blood. However as the sole superpower the US has a responsibility to force both sides to recognize past crimes and come up with a solution. No more Camp David accords, no more Oslo Agreements, no more one sided “agreements”. If the US is interested in middle east peace, we have to force Israel to return stolen land. Plain and simple.
Historically, any criticism of Israel has resulted in accusations of anti-Semitism. What a great response that is, it's like calling someone a racist, or a rapist. The truth is irrelevant, the accusation is all that matters. So if anyone out there is thinking of responding with such words...save it. It will only show your immaturity and closed mindedness.
Well, maybe not. After years of international pressure, an Arab country has finally held democratic elections. No foreign military needed here to “foster democracy”. No, after the death of Yassir Arafat the Palestinian authority voluntarily held democratic elections and started down the road to global acceptance.
Until recently that is.
The second round of elections held earlier this year saw the rise to power of a globally recognized “terrorist” organization, namely Hamas. What's interesting about these election results is that they were just that, election results. Hamas didn't overthrow a government, assassinate a leader or militarily take control. No, the Palestinian people voluntarily elected Hamas to power and to represent them in the global arena knowing full well all of the possible problems it could cause.
I for one congratulate the Palestinians. They have done exactly what is being demanded of so many other Arab nations. With this election, the people really have let their will be known and this presents a real problem for the world, in particular the US.
Consider what is being demanded of Hamas. They are to renounce all violence and accept the Israeli state. But to do so would recognize and legitimize Israel's illegal taking of Palestinian land. It would legitimize Israel's continual flaunting of UN resolutions, most importantly 242. It would legitimize the last imperialistic expansion in recent history. I don't see the Palestinians accepting this solution, the election results are the best indication of this. The Palestinians will demand a return of all land before the (UN recognized) illegal expansion of Israel in 1967 and, upon that action, offer recognition of Israel.
This election presents an interesting problem for the US. The US has been one of the biggest, if not the biggest force promoting democracy in the middle east, sometimes by force. Afghanistan and Iraq immediately come to mind. By the US's reaction to the Palestinian elections it is apparent that democracy is only acceptable on our terms, when leaders who will work with the US are elected. In response to the elections the US Israel and the EU have threatened monetary retaliation against Hamas led Palestine. Think about the message this sends to the struggling Iraqi or Afghani government, ”We will support you as long as you conform to our wishes, particularly when it comes to Israel”. The “Israel-Palestinian conflict” as it's often called, hell lets just call a spade a spade, the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land is like a knife in the side of every Arab. They can't fathom why the world, specifically the US, has sided with a country that is so blatantly acting illegally. I have to again refer to the numerous UN resolutions demanding return of stolen land to Palestine.
Now of course neither side is innocent in this conflict. From Palestinian suicide bombers to Israeli missile attacks on civilians, both sides have blood on their hands. Lots of blood. However as the sole superpower the US has a responsibility to force both sides to recognize past crimes and come up with a solution. No more Camp David accords, no more Oslo Agreements, no more one sided “agreements”. If the US is interested in middle east peace, we have to force Israel to return stolen land. Plain and simple.
Historically, any criticism of Israel has resulted in accusations of anti-Semitism. What a great response that is, it's like calling someone a racist, or a rapist. The truth is irrelevant, the accusation is all that matters. So if anyone out there is thinking of responding with such words...save it. It will only show your immaturity and closed mindedness.
posted by Corrigan at 3:05 AM
4 Comments:
Corrigan,
I hate you. If I catch you watching any of my films ever again, I'll force you to have a conversation with Tom Cruise on psychiatry, you goddamn anti-semite.
Sincerely,
Steven Spielberg
*****
dammit, too late. I didn't read the last paragraph.
Ok, a responsible comment now.
I agree with a lot of what you said but here's one concern.
If Israel gives in and returns all of its illegally acquired land, will the Palestinians stop?
The age old phrase of "give an inch, and take a mile" comes to mind.
It's a good point. I don't think that's a risk worth denying people their homs for though. Of both parties, Isreal's the one who's tried to continually take more land..remember Lebanon? It really is a tough situation..and the longer it drags out, the more the "status quo" is difficult to change.
Oh I agree. Israel is the one that has taken more land.
All I'm saying is no matter what happens, I don't think this will ever be over.
No side will ever be completely happy and our continued involvement only makes both sides hate us more.
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