The Middle East’s history is indeed marked by prolonged wars, violence and bloodshed with the re-gion plagued by conflicts for centuries. The latest escalation, characterized by exchanges of fatal missiles and airstrikes across Palestine, Syria, Israel, Lebanon and Iran, has led to hundreds of thou-sands of deaths, widespread destruction and severe human displacement. Palestine, a land refer-enced in all major scriptures—Torah, Bible and Quran—is profoundly tied to history; Prophet Ibra-him’s (AS) departure from Ur in Nasiriyah, Iraq, his birth place, to Kena’an (Palestine) is prominently mentioned. Yet, we find the land an-ever- fighting ground, shedding human blood with all-side de-struction on this God chosen land.
Talking of today’s warring humanity on this land one cannot ignore for a single moment the interna-tional community’s inability to intervene effectively to halt the hells of fighting that ultimately has led to a sense of hopelessness and despair. The United Nations too, established 79 years ago to promote peace and security, seems ineffective in resolving these conflicts. Powers, inside and out-side of the UNO, dreaming of global leadership, are bathing in seas of expediencies; this gives to the community of Middle Eastern countries waiting to see peace ferocious waves of shocks after shocks. One can count the key factors responsible for the Middle East conflict; the foremost is the denial of Palestinian existence, statehood and human rights; another non-peace causing factor is geopolitical rivalries, a competition for influence and resources, for instance oil, that exacerbate the tensions among regional powers. Complex web of religious affiliations and interests has also hindered at-tempts towards ultimate peaceful co-existence in the region. But all these are just causes generating conflicts, chaos. The urgent need is to move beyond these triggering causes.
A way forward has got to be sought out; a serious start should be regional cooperation, the forma-tion of a mini-United Nations comprising conflict-affected countries. This forum can facilitate dia-logue and cooperation reminding the warring factions/countries/affiliations that their human births are from a common stock: first from the first Prophet of God Adam/Eve (AS), then from Prophet Ibrahim (AS); all fighting arms and brains should honour their common ancestors and move forward. Further, global powers should guarantee co-existence, rehabilitation with generous aid and advice. Prime focus should be on education, healthcare and economic development and massive inter-sections socialization campaigns. For achieving greater understanding, open communication among Judaism, Christianity and Islam should be encouraged and consciously promoted.
Achieving peace in the Middle East requires a multifaceted approach, addressing historical griev-ances, geopolitical tensions and social divisions. It demands collective action, determination and strength of mind from regional leaders and the international community both. Two-state solution approved by the world via the UN Security Council’s and UN General Assembly’s resolutions must be implemented without pity or heat. Anyhow all types of senselessness must evaporate from the Mid-dle East once for all as enough is enough.
—The writer, a retired Secretary in AJK Govt, is a senior columnist, based in Rawalpindi.
(shaheenalvi52@gmail.com)
