US Secretary of State, John Kerry was visibly happy when
Israel agreed to have negotiations with Palestine Authority Chairman Muhammad
Abbas to find a lasting solution to the more than six decades of conflict
between the two countries. With 22 member Arab League extending all support John Kerry could prevail upon Israel Prime Minister,
Benjamin Netanyahu to sit across the negotiating table to chalk out a peace
plan by swapping lands between the former and Palestine Authority.
The genesis of Israel-Palestine conflict dates back to 1948,
to be exact sixty five years. Both were
on a collision course since then and with the passing of time the intensity of
the rivalry instead of cooling down got aggravated and frequent wars and
occasional skirmishes between the both rivals were the sad results.
Their rivalry grew intense not because any mediatory efforts
were forthcoming from any quarters. Earnest efforts from the part of
dignitaries like Jimmy Carter, former US President, at Camp David, US and from
United Nations had no takers on either side. When it came to the crux of the
matter both Israel and Palestine were found crossing swords against each other
as a result of which scores of Palestinians and hundreds of Israelis had to pay
dearly with their lives resulting the perennial conflicts. In 1967, Palestine
with the support of nations like Egypt, Jordan and Syria fought a fierce battle
against Israel which lasted for six days resulting in Israeli annexation of a
major chunk of enemies’ territories like West Bank, Golan Heights and Sinai
Peninsula.
It was a major setback for not only the Palestine but the entire
Middle-East countries. In the course of time countries like Egypt and Jordan
became friendly with Israel under US pressure is a historical fact.
While Palestine Liberation Army Chairman,Yasser Arafat was
alive, he by forming the Fatab Movement which was not to the liking of a major
group of extreme Palestine elements who wanted total decimation of Israel from
the picture clinched a deal with Israel with Yitshak Rabin, the leader of
ruling Likud partry mediated by Jimmy Carter, former US President. Yitshak Rabin whose modest approach towards
Palestinian cause resulted in his murder by a disillusioned Israeli assassin is
also a part of history.
The extremist Palestinians formed separate group called
Hamas by choosing their base at Gaza strip which was/is absolutely against the
Fatah Movement now being led Muhammed Abbas who rules the West Bank.
In the elections held in West Bank and Gaza while Mahmoud
Abbas’ Fatah emerged victorious and at Gaza Hamas group led by Khalid Mishael
emerged the ultimate winner with a thumping majority where Ismail Haniyeh is in
the saddle as Prime Minister.
It is not known John Kerry while planning to plunge into the
venture of brokering a peace deal between Israel and Palestine led by Mahmoud
Abbas whether Hamas was taken into confidence. On going through the reports
emerging before the world is any indication we have to arrive at a sorry fact
that Hamas was not taken into confidence. Hamas, it is learnt that, still
sticks to its oft repeated stand that nothing short of wiping out Israel from
the picture would do. Its leader and Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh has angrily come
out with a statement that any kind of softening the stand is immaterial and has
not hidden his ire at certain Arab countries - a veiled attack on 22 member
Arab League countries.
If that be the case, how is it possible for John Kerry to
come out with a negotiated settlement between Palestine and Israel?
In the meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
too has made his intention clear that any kind of negotiation will be put to a
nation-wide referendum only after that a settlement if any, would have to be
arrived at.
It seems that perennial enmity between the two nations is
there to stay. There is no sign of silver-lining emerging in the horizon.
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