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Terrorism (A) The problem of international terrorism has become a very troubling issue, after the events of 9 / 11. Even though that we are being told that the reason why America was being attacked is because Islamic fanatics hate our freedoms, the truth appears to be more banal. It has a direct relation the situation in Middle East. This is why Thomas Friedman's book From Beirut to Jerusalem comes in very handy, when it comes to understanding of this issue. America is traditionally considered to be Israelis best ally, because of powerful Jewish lobby. Even though that From Beirut to Jerusalem was being written in 1984 - 1988, this book still remains very useful, for anyone, who tries to understand the spiritual roots of terrorism.
This, is because Friedman was able to remain objective, throughout his book, while describing the hostility, between Jews and Palestinians. It allowed him to grow very critical of Israelis genocidal policies that are being employed in the occupied territories. Friedman points out to the fact that, very often, Palestinians simply have no other way to resist Israelis, but to participate in the terrorist activity against this state. Sometimes, it consists of throwing rocks at Israeli tanks, but it can also adopt more sinister forms. It is a very fresh idea, especially given the authors ethnic background.
Basically, Friedman suggests that the reason why violence never stops in Middle East, is because neither of conflicting parties was able to get an upper hand in civil war. He describes it in terms of fair fight: One side had knives and pistols; the other had secret agents and courts. While each constantly cried out to the world how evil the other was, when they looked one another in the eye-whether in the interrogator's room or before inserting a knife in a back alley-they said something different: I will do whatever I have to survive. Have no doubt about it (Friedman, p. 311). After reading From Beirut to Jerusalem, I was able to define the most fundamental reason for the Palestinian terrorism and for the Islamic terrorism, as whole the very existence of Jewish state, in the midst of an Arab sea.
Rightly or wrongly, U. S. supports Israel with every possible mean. While forcibly imposing democratic values onto the foreign nations, American government looks away from the fact that Israel is based on the principle of racial apartheid. Jews have always been the proponents of multiculturalism and tolerance, yet in their own country, theyre doing something absolutely opposite. This, of course, results in the rise of anti-Israeli sentiment in Arab countries.
It is because if this sentiment that many Arabs decide to become terrorists. But the worst thing about it is that America had become a legitimate target. In order to eliminate terrorism, we need to go after its roots. (B) There are many materials available, which are dedicated to the problem of violence in Middle East. Yet, the majority of authors blame Palestinians, as the ones who instigate it. Jews are described as having no other choice but to defend themselves.
Even though that it involves destroying the whole Palestinian villages with bulldozers, their actions are being thought of as fully justified. Said Farsoun is one of the authors, who applies a very moderate approach, while coming up with his understanding of what would constitute the best peaceful solution. He thinks that, because more and more Palestinians acquire higher education, it will inevitably lead to the rise of their living standards. Despite the fact that Palestinians are deprived of many basic human rights, in Israel, Farsoun still considers them to be living in society that profess democratic principles: The laws of Israel are not perfect, nevertheless Palestinians with Israeli citizenship are allowed to vote and have their own newspapers, where they freely express their views (Farsoun, p. 45) Author consider the Palestinians that live in Israel as more civilized, although, if we follow his logic, itll appear that the racial apartheid is actually a progressive social policy. This, very well might be the case, but why there was so much international discontent, when apartheid was being practiced in South Africa, and why there is virtually no criticism, directed at Israel, for doing absolutely the same? This is the question that Farsoun fails to address.
In my opinion, author doesnt quite understand the real reasons for Israeli-Palestinian animosity. How can he suggest that there might be some reconciliation reached if Jewish children in schools are being taught that Palestinians are nothing but animals, as well as other non-Jews? Farsoun tells us that: The rights of Palestinians in Israel are limited, yet theyre not altogether deprived of them (Farsoun, p. 12) how blessed must they be! The problem is that most of those laws, which that allow Palestinians a certain degree of freedom, are nothing but formality. For example, The 1952 Law of Entry to Israel states that only the immigration certificate holders are allowed to cross the border. So, officially, it doesnt discriminate people, because of their nationality.
Yet, it also says that people need to be qualified for such documents. The explanation of who can be qualified is found in the Law of Return, which clearly states that those are Jews exclusively. Lasse Wilhelmson in his article 'Anti-Semitism' As Political Weapon is not afraid to say the truth: Criticising Israel? s mistakes is acceptable. But questioning whether Israel is a Jewish state with a racist apartheid system that renders non-Jews second rate citizens - that is not acceptable.
It makes little difference whether the criticism is based on facts. Few people who cannot claim Jewish descent would dare to criticize publicly. They are afraid of being accused of "anti-semitism" (Wilhelmson). But this is exactly the reason why Friedman's book has a journalistic value. In it, author criticizes his own people, which make him an objective observer, in the full sense of this word. Before Jews began to settle in Palestine, it was one of the most peaceful regions in the world.
There was no other reason for the Jews to demand this territory, but the religious one. In 1949 Western powers laid the ground for the beginning of an endless violence, in this region, after they officially recognized Israel. Israeli leaders rightly think that Israel is going to be doomed, in the long run, because of staggering birth rate in neighboring countries. Thats why Israel is thought to be in possession of at least 200 nuclear warheads, which makes this tiny state a very formidable military power. Israeli leaders use the tactics of nuclear intimidation freely, being fully supported by America. Such intimidation is rightly considered by many, as an ideological terrorism, which no civilized country should ever deploy.
John Marker in his article: Can We Talk About Jews? makes a perfectly good point, when he says: Todays events in Lebanon are just the latest episode of the Jews brutality towards their Arab neighbors. These Arabs have gone from being simple farmers to sophisticated guerilla fighters, and what would you expect of 700, 000 people thrown off their land into refugee camps for several generations. Do the Jews have exclusive rights to historical injustice? (Marker). The above mentioned opinions might be arguable, but they are totally valid.
Nevertheless, people can never find out about them in mainstream Medias. The same Medias never get tired of emphasizing that Israel is simply trying to protect its southern border, while sending planes to bomb hospitals and schools in Beirut, as it happened during the last summer. Because of this, most of Americans are unable to link the Islamic terrorism with American current foreign policy, even though that such link exists (C) From Beirut to Jerusalem is objective as it can be, being written by highly acclaimed journalist. Also, we can say that it did not lose much of its actuality, since 1988. This is because the situation in the Middle East did not significantly change. The violent outbreaks occur there with an alarming accuracy, which point out that the peaceful coexistence, between Palestinians and Jews, can probably be never achieved.
Also, this conflict is becoming truly international, since more and more countries get indirectly involved in it. The injustice, which is being done to Palestinians, results in much of the resentment, towards Israel and U. S. , throughout the world. The most immediate conclusion of this paper is that, we, as Americans, need to be more aware of international politics, which directly affect our country.
Also, it would not hurt if we asked ourselves how do we benefit from constantly supporting Israel? And if we do not, then why do we still continue this practice, while causing the whole Arab world to hate us with passion? It is very easy to say that the terrorists are bunch of irrational losers, filled with hate. But this would not explain why their numbers seem to increase every year. Also, it cannot explain why it is proved to be impossible to catch Osama Bin Laden. The answer is simple: even the American closest allies, in the Middle East, such as Saudi Arabia, have no sympathies towards America.
They harbor terrorists, while officially supporting the fight against terrorism. This is because of our support of Israel the only remaining country in the world, where the practice of apartheid is governments official policy. The country, where law allows slavery, for as long, as it involves non-Jews and which had intentionally attacked USS Liberty in 1967, while blaming Egyptians for it. The only way for America to stop being a target of international terrorism, is to withdraw its support of Israel. Also, our troops must leave Iraq, because they have bigger priority, such as defending our southern border from the invasion of illegal immigrants, rather than being Israelis cannon meat. I strongly believe that, is only after our country returns back to the common sense, that we will be able to enjoy peace and security.
Abstract This paper argues that the problem of international terrorism is directly related to the American current foreign policy. Outline A Discusses the value of Friedman's From Beirut to Jerusalem B Analyses the opinions of different authors, in regards to the issue. C Concludes the paper. Bibliography: Friedman, T. From Beirut to Jerusalem. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1989.
Farsoun, S. Palestine and the Palestinians. New York: Westview Press, 1997. Marker, J. Can we Talk About the Jews? . 2005.
Ramallah Online. Retrieved December 5, 2006. from web Wilhelmson, L. Anti-Semitism' As Political Weapon. June 25, 2005 Range. Com.
Retrieved December 5, 2006 from web Wilhelmson, L. Zionism - More than Traditional Colonialism and Apartheid. January 26, 2004. Al-Jazeera h Info Center. Retrieved December 5, 2006 from web
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