The best way to fight terrorism
Monday, 14 December 2009
Tayeb Husain
US President Barack Obama hosted a lavish state dinner in honour of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during the latter's recent visit to Washington. Singh was received with more pomp and ceremony than any other foreign visitor to White House during Obama administration.
Welcoming Singh, Obama hailed India as the world's largest democracy and an "indispensable" partner to work and deal with a wide "range of thorny issues". However, fighting terrorism was the pledge the two leaders made as both the countries are victims of terrorist attacks. Their concern is understandable. Nobody needs to deny the fact that terrorism is an unforgivable crime against all moral and ethical norms or human values. That is more so when the victims of these crimes are innocent civilians, often women and children. Those who are engaged in terrorism are mentally disturbed people. No decent human being can support their methods, whatever the goal.
Terrorism and the phrase "War on Terrorism" were first used by the Western press to refer to attacks by European anarchists against their leaders and officials in European countries. The phrase "war on terrorism" gained currency when it was used by the British colonial government to end a spate of attacks by the Zionists in the British Mandate of Palestine in the late 1940s. It was the British again who proclaimed a "War on Terrorism" against Zionist groups such as Irgun and Lehi or against anyone perceived to be co-operating with them.
Terrorism means using terror as a means of coercion. Origin of the terrorism in modern times could be traced to Palestine, where European and American Zionists illegally settled since the early twentieth century. They used terrorism as a means to establish the state of Israel for the Jews. From August 20, 1937 to June 29, 1939, Zionist terrorists carried out a series of attacks against Arab buses killing and wounding many people. On November 25, 1940, Zionist terrorists blew up the ship SS Patria in Haifa harbour killing 268 people. Those killed were Jewish refugees from Austria, Czechoslovakia and Poland. They wanted to settle in Palestine but the British Colonial Office refused them permission to land and decided to deport them to Mauritius. They were taken to SS Patria when a tremendous explosion ripped the liner apart. The explosion was the work of the Zionist terrorist organisation Haganah who wanted only to damage the ship to prevent it from sailing. Their miscalculated action resulted in killing the Jews, their own folks.
Again on November 6, 1944, the Zionist terrorists in the Stern Gang assassinated the British Minister Resident in the Middle East, Lord Moyne, in Cairo. On July 22, 1946 the Zionist terrorists blew up the King David Hotel in Jerusalem. The hotel housed the central offices of the civilian administration of the government of Palestine. In the attack, over 200 people were killed and injured. Irgun, the Zionist terrorist organ of which Menachem Begin, the Nobel Peace Prize winner of 1978 (what an irony!) was the commander, officially claimed responsibility for the attack. But, further evidence indicated that both Irgun and Haganah were involved in that atrocity. In 1947 alone the Zionist terrorists carried out dozens of attacks in and outside Palestine. They continued the terrorist activities until the Jewish state was established and recognised by Europe and America.
After the Zionists, many other groups fought in different parts of the world for different issues and objectives. However, the PLO and the Al-Qaeda are the two organisations that everybody in the world knows well, thanks to American and Western relentless propaganda against them. These organisations and their members were given the name "Islamic Terrorists" as if Islam sanctions violence and this particular religion only represents terrorism.
The establishment of Israel by evicting Palestinian Arabs caused sharp reactions in rest of the Arab World. America and the Western world provided arms, money and political support to the Jewish state. Many Americans, both Jews and Christians, joined the Israeli forces to fight the Arabs. They won and humbled the Palestinians.
Yasser Arafat organised PLO to liberate Palestine. All the Palestinian factions came under PLO to fight Israeli occupation to liberate their land. But they could not oust the powerful occupiers. The Palestinians are humiliated again and again. It is unfortunate that the very Jews who were victims of persecution in Europe for centuries, particularly in the hands of Hitler, now cause similar pain and humiliation to the Palestinian population who had no role in what happened to them in European countries or elsewhere. But for West European and other neo-colonialist powers, the rest of the world supported the Palestinian cause until the collapse of Soviet Union in 1989. The rest is history. The change of mind of India and China can not avoid notice.
Nehru's India sided with the Palestinian people and was vocal against Israeli atrocities. But after the cold war came to an end, India quickly established diplomatic relations with Israel in 1992. India became Israel's strongest ally in Asia. Israel is now India's largest arms provider, overtaking Russia. Military, economic, social and cultural links between India and Israel are getting stronger by the day. Kashmir problem caused three wars between India and Pakistan could be the reason. But India is fully aware that it is pursuing its selfish political interest. The largest democracy on earth had occupied Kashmir by force to keep its people in bondage. Now India has become a buddy of Israel, the most ruthless occupiers on earth. Israel is nothing but foreign occupiers of Palestinian land. It occupied Palestinian lands by force with help from neo-colonialists, sinfully evicting Palestinian from their hearths and homes. China has done the same, denying the Uyghur people their right to self determination. Once it was a great friend of the Palestinian people. But gone are those days. China, too, is a good buddy of Israel since 1992. They have bilateral social, cultural, technical and military co-operation. Russia's case in Chechnya is another episode of human tragedy. Russia allowed Christian Ukraine and Georgia freedom after the collapse of communism. But Russia denied independence to Chechnya, a Muslim populated oil-rich republic.
All these unfair deals to Palestinians, Kashmiris, Uyghuris and Chechnyans cause resentment and create terrorist groups.
Bush's war on terror after the Sept 11, 2001 attack, gave a new impetus to Israel, India, China and Russia. These counties got the opportunity to use the politics of "war on terror" to justify their unilateral pre-emptive wars, human rights abuses and other violations of international law. How many actual terrorists they killed no one knows. But everyone knows it well that while pursing the invisible terrorists, they killed and wounded thousands of innocent and ordinary people who had nothing to do with terrorism.
Terrorism is definitely bad and unholy. But what breeds terrorists? Neither the US nor the others fighting terrorism ever ask this simple question. No Palestinian will like to fight if they get a fair deal. Are the Zionists ready to give up Palestinian land they occupied illegally? Palestinians become desperate because of eviction by Israel. Why the neo-colonialists want to use Israel as their colonial outpost? Is the international community really serious about a two-state solution so that people of Palestine and Israel can peacefully co-exist? But, if the priority is to control the Middle East and its oil, the status quo would continue. In that case, one should expect the international community to keep the conflict alive to serve their purpose. Conflicts benefit the neo-colonialists in many ways. Human cost does not bother them. Who does not know that terrorism by Muslim groups? Who does not know that an end of oppression and humiliation of the Palestinians by Israel would encourage Palestinians to opt for peace, they need? Al-Queda it is an American baby. Everybody knows Al-Queda history. This organisation does not represent Islam. They do not follow even the basic teaching of Islam. Islam is against terrorism and killing unarmed, women and children. Al-Queda is bound to disappear once it is denied any plea for doing what it does.
Indian occupation of Kashmir costs India heavily. But it is difficult to understand why it wants an unwilling population under it. It only causes distress and agony. Is it not much better to part and live in peace? India has allocated over US $1.0 billion for the reconstruction of Afghanistan. Is it not better for India to find a reasonable solution to Kashmir problem?
What Israel, India, China or Russian do to Palestine, Kashmir, Uyghur or Chechnya are not acceptable. No one can turn the clock back. It needs good sense to stop further sufferings to innocent men, women and children. Israel must find a way to live in peace with the Palestinian people. Similarly, both India and Pakistan must find an amicable solution to the Kashmir problem. China and Russia also must seek a permanent and peaceful solution to Uyghur and Chechnya problems. Good sense must prevail over madness. Those who are fighting terrorism ought to find out the cause of terrorism first. Terrorism results from evil deeds. When evil actions are corrected and stopped, peace and tranquillity will prevail for all.
The writer can be reached at: gtmail@telia.com
US President Barack Obama hosted a lavish state dinner in honour of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during the latter's recent visit to Washington. Singh was received with more pomp and ceremony than any other foreign visitor to White House during Obama administration.
Welcoming Singh, Obama hailed India as the world's largest democracy and an "indispensable" partner to work and deal with a wide "range of thorny issues". However, fighting terrorism was the pledge the two leaders made as both the countries are victims of terrorist attacks. Their concern is understandable. Nobody needs to deny the fact that terrorism is an unforgivable crime against all moral and ethical norms or human values. That is more so when the victims of these crimes are innocent civilians, often women and children. Those who are engaged in terrorism are mentally disturbed people. No decent human being can support their methods, whatever the goal.
Terrorism and the phrase "War on Terrorism" were first used by the Western press to refer to attacks by European anarchists against their leaders and officials in European countries. The phrase "war on terrorism" gained currency when it was used by the British colonial government to end a spate of attacks by the Zionists in the British Mandate of Palestine in the late 1940s. It was the British again who proclaimed a "War on Terrorism" against Zionist groups such as Irgun and Lehi or against anyone perceived to be co-operating with them.
Terrorism means using terror as a means of coercion. Origin of the terrorism in modern times could be traced to Palestine, where European and American Zionists illegally settled since the early twentieth century. They used terrorism as a means to establish the state of Israel for the Jews. From August 20, 1937 to June 29, 1939, Zionist terrorists carried out a series of attacks against Arab buses killing and wounding many people. On November 25, 1940, Zionist terrorists blew up the ship SS Patria in Haifa harbour killing 268 people. Those killed were Jewish refugees from Austria, Czechoslovakia and Poland. They wanted to settle in Palestine but the British Colonial Office refused them permission to land and decided to deport them to Mauritius. They were taken to SS Patria when a tremendous explosion ripped the liner apart. The explosion was the work of the Zionist terrorist organisation Haganah who wanted only to damage the ship to prevent it from sailing. Their miscalculated action resulted in killing the Jews, their own folks.
Again on November 6, 1944, the Zionist terrorists in the Stern Gang assassinated the British Minister Resident in the Middle East, Lord Moyne, in Cairo. On July 22, 1946 the Zionist terrorists blew up the King David Hotel in Jerusalem. The hotel housed the central offices of the civilian administration of the government of Palestine. In the attack, over 200 people were killed and injured. Irgun, the Zionist terrorist organ of which Menachem Begin, the Nobel Peace Prize winner of 1978 (what an irony!) was the commander, officially claimed responsibility for the attack. But, further evidence indicated that both Irgun and Haganah were involved in that atrocity. In 1947 alone the Zionist terrorists carried out dozens of attacks in and outside Palestine. They continued the terrorist activities until the Jewish state was established and recognised by Europe and America.
After the Zionists, many other groups fought in different parts of the world for different issues and objectives. However, the PLO and the Al-Qaeda are the two organisations that everybody in the world knows well, thanks to American and Western relentless propaganda against them. These organisations and their members were given the name "Islamic Terrorists" as if Islam sanctions violence and this particular religion only represents terrorism.
The establishment of Israel by evicting Palestinian Arabs caused sharp reactions in rest of the Arab World. America and the Western world provided arms, money and political support to the Jewish state. Many Americans, both Jews and Christians, joined the Israeli forces to fight the Arabs. They won and humbled the Palestinians.
Yasser Arafat organised PLO to liberate Palestine. All the Palestinian factions came under PLO to fight Israeli occupation to liberate their land. But they could not oust the powerful occupiers. The Palestinians are humiliated again and again. It is unfortunate that the very Jews who were victims of persecution in Europe for centuries, particularly in the hands of Hitler, now cause similar pain and humiliation to the Palestinian population who had no role in what happened to them in European countries or elsewhere. But for West European and other neo-colonialist powers, the rest of the world supported the Palestinian cause until the collapse of Soviet Union in 1989. The rest is history. The change of mind of India and China can not avoid notice.
Nehru's India sided with the Palestinian people and was vocal against Israeli atrocities. But after the cold war came to an end, India quickly established diplomatic relations with Israel in 1992. India became Israel's strongest ally in Asia. Israel is now India's largest arms provider, overtaking Russia. Military, economic, social and cultural links between India and Israel are getting stronger by the day. Kashmir problem caused three wars between India and Pakistan could be the reason. But India is fully aware that it is pursuing its selfish political interest. The largest democracy on earth had occupied Kashmir by force to keep its people in bondage. Now India has become a buddy of Israel, the most ruthless occupiers on earth. Israel is nothing but foreign occupiers of Palestinian land. It occupied Palestinian lands by force with help from neo-colonialists, sinfully evicting Palestinian from their hearths and homes. China has done the same, denying the Uyghur people their right to self determination. Once it was a great friend of the Palestinian people. But gone are those days. China, too, is a good buddy of Israel since 1992. They have bilateral social, cultural, technical and military co-operation. Russia's case in Chechnya is another episode of human tragedy. Russia allowed Christian Ukraine and Georgia freedom after the collapse of communism. But Russia denied independence to Chechnya, a Muslim populated oil-rich republic.
All these unfair deals to Palestinians, Kashmiris, Uyghuris and Chechnyans cause resentment and create terrorist groups.
Bush's war on terror after the Sept 11, 2001 attack, gave a new impetus to Israel, India, China and Russia. These counties got the opportunity to use the politics of "war on terror" to justify their unilateral pre-emptive wars, human rights abuses and other violations of international law. How many actual terrorists they killed no one knows. But everyone knows it well that while pursing the invisible terrorists, they killed and wounded thousands of innocent and ordinary people who had nothing to do with terrorism.
Terrorism is definitely bad and unholy. But what breeds terrorists? Neither the US nor the others fighting terrorism ever ask this simple question. No Palestinian will like to fight if they get a fair deal. Are the Zionists ready to give up Palestinian land they occupied illegally? Palestinians become desperate because of eviction by Israel. Why the neo-colonialists want to use Israel as their colonial outpost? Is the international community really serious about a two-state solution so that people of Palestine and Israel can peacefully co-exist? But, if the priority is to control the Middle East and its oil, the status quo would continue. In that case, one should expect the international community to keep the conflict alive to serve their purpose. Conflicts benefit the neo-colonialists in many ways. Human cost does not bother them. Who does not know that terrorism by Muslim groups? Who does not know that an end of oppression and humiliation of the Palestinians by Israel would encourage Palestinians to opt for peace, they need? Al-Queda it is an American baby. Everybody knows Al-Queda history. This organisation does not represent Islam. They do not follow even the basic teaching of Islam. Islam is against terrorism and killing unarmed, women and children. Al-Queda is bound to disappear once it is denied any plea for doing what it does.
Indian occupation of Kashmir costs India heavily. But it is difficult to understand why it wants an unwilling population under it. It only causes distress and agony. Is it not much better to part and live in peace? India has allocated over US $1.0 billion for the reconstruction of Afghanistan. Is it not better for India to find a reasonable solution to Kashmir problem?
What Israel, India, China or Russian do to Palestine, Kashmir, Uyghur or Chechnya are not acceptable. No one can turn the clock back. It needs good sense to stop further sufferings to innocent men, women and children. Israel must find a way to live in peace with the Palestinian people. Similarly, both India and Pakistan must find an amicable solution to the Kashmir problem. China and Russia also must seek a permanent and peaceful solution to Uyghur and Chechnya problems. Good sense must prevail over madness. Those who are fighting terrorism ought to find out the cause of terrorism first. Terrorism results from evil deeds. When evil actions are corrected and stopped, peace and tranquillity will prevail for all.
The writer can be reached at: gtmail@telia.com