Israel’s defiance of UN

AS was only to be expected, Israel has again shown its contempt for the UN by denouncing the Security Council resolution asking it to lift its siege of Yasser Arafat’s headquarters. An Israeli official was quoted as saying, “The UN can do what it wants, but Israel will continue the operations...” The US did not veto the resolution, but by abstaining from voting, it has sent a clear message to its protege: no matter what Tel Aviv does, it will find Washington firmly on its side, all other considerations notwithstanding. The main US objection was that the resolution had not “explicitly” condemned terrorists and those who “provide them with political cover, support and safe haven.” This sums up Washington’s perception of the Arab-Israel conflict: Arafat and his people are not freedom fighters but “terrorists.” For that reason, Israel is not only entitled to occupation and reoccupation of the Palestinian territories; it can kill any number of civilians in the name of fighting terrorism and punish the Palestinian leadership for its failure to do so.” The resolution asks Israel to lift the siege and withdraw its “occupying forces” to the position they held before the second intifada began on September 2000. No wonder, the resolution should appear “flawed” to an American administration whose defence secretary refers to the West Bank and Gaza Strip as the “so-called” occupied areas.

There has been no dearth of UN resolutions asking Israel to withdraw from the occupied territories, condemning its violations of human rights, and asking it not to alter the occupied areas’ Arab-Islamic character. However, Israel has turned a deaf ear to all UN resolutions and to the world community’s censures because it knows what matters is military power. Israel has the Middle East’s largest and best-equipped armed forces. In contrast, its Arab neighbours are militarily weak. Syria’s Soviet-oriented defence apparatus has been in a state of obsolescence since the collapse of the USSR, while Iraq lost virtually all it had during the war with Iran and later in the US-led Gulf war. In addition to this disparity, Israel enjoys Washington’s unqualified military, economic and diplomatic support. Besides, it acts in defiance of the world community in the sure knowledge that it has the benefit of an American military umbrella. No wonder, it should be so arrogantly defiant towards any UN ruling and world opinion generally. Israelis also know what position of power and influence the Zionist lobby enjoys in the US. Thus, no UN resolution, critical of Israel’s bellicose policies and actions vis-a-vis the Palestinians has the slightest chance of having a binding or restraining effect on the latter unless Washington tells Tel Aviv to be more amenable.

America should realize that its policy is alienating the Arab-Islamic world. Its war on terror especially runs the risk of foundering unless its policy-making apparatus is mindful of Arab and Muslim sentiments and susceptibilities. Unqualified support to Israel’s genocidal policies in Palestine will only strengthen those very forces that resort to terrorism in desperation.

Targeting Christians

THE brutal killing of seven persons in the Karachi office of a Christian charity is another chilling reminder of the growing threat posed to Pakistan’s Christian community by extremists. What was most alarming about yesterday’s incident was that it took place in broad daylight in an office block located in one of the busiest parts of the city. The gunmen had enough time to tie their victims to chairs, cold-bloodedly shoot them at close range and calmly walk away. The incident follows the arrest of members of an extremist organization who, according to the police, were in possession of detailed maps and plans of local churches and other Christian organizations. Pakistan’s Christian community, as well as nationals of western countries, have been the targets of a string of deadly terrorist attacks in the country following Pakistan’s decision to back the US-led war on terror.

In October last year, a congregation at a church in Bahawalpur was targeted by gunmen, killing 16. In March, five persons were killed in an attack on a church in Islamabad’s diplomatic enclave. In May this year, a car bomb attack in Karachi led to the death of 14 people, including 11 French naval engineers. In June, a blast outside the US consulate in Karachi caused havoc and led to the death of 13 people. In August, a Christian school in Murree was attacked, killing six. Days later, gunmen opened fire outside a chapel in the compound of a Christian hospital in Taxila, killing three nurses. Not surprisingly, the Christian community is feeling extremely vulnerable as well as angry following these incidents of terrorism. The authorities must act swiftly to crack down on those involved in these senseless attacks on a peaceful and defenceless community that prides itself on providing services in the social sector to the deprived, regardless of their religion. It must also offer protection to the Christian community and beef up security at their places of worship, schools, hospitals and other institutions.

Temple killings

PAKISTAN has borne its share of sectarian and militant attacks on places of worship. Pakistanis cannot but condemn Tuesday’s temple assault in India’s Gujarat state, racked by communal strife since the horrendous anti-Muslim riots of last February. The two men responsible for laying siege to the Akshardham temple in Gandhinagar and killing at least 30 people were shot dead by Indian commandos yesterday. They were said to belong to a hitherto unknown organization called the Movement for Revenge. There has been the usual stream of invective directed at Pakistan and militant outfits linked to Kashmir. But the Indian government must realize that its indifference to tracking down those responsible for instigating the February riots is bound to drive Muslims to desperation. Gujarat’s chief minister, Narendra Modi, has been given a clean chit by his BJP mentors in New Delhi and even the commission of inquiry set up by the central government has yet to begin its work. Little has been done to restore confidence in the state’s Muslim population, many of whom continue to live in refugee camps and are afraid to return to their towns and villages. There has been no accounting for the pitiless brutality displayed during February against Muslim men, women and children, with entire families being torched. Instigation has continued sporadically since then, with communal trouble again over the weekend.

It is the consistent failure of the Indian authorities to punish those responsible for the country’s many communal riots that eventually produces violent reaction. The fear is that this week’s events might now invite retaliation from Hindu extremist organizations, already emotionally primed by groups like the Vishwa Hindu Parishad over the Babri Mosque issue that is now subject to adjudication in courts. Leaders of the Hindu and Muslim communities will be expected to exercise the utmost restraint to prevent further trouble, and New Delhi must show that its concern for the sufferings of Gujarat’s Muslims goes beyond mere statements.