Let us Free Palestine?
Concerns about a Palestinian State
The idea of "Free Palestine" is considered a terrible idea, and there are several reasons why it's better not to free Palestine, starting with women's rights, as men are allowed to beat their wives in the Palestinian Authority.
The treatment of women in Palestinian society is a concern, as officials have stated that it's allowed to hit a wife, with certain limits, and Hamas has passed a law requiring women to obtain permission from a male family member to leave the house.
The LGBTQ rights in a potential Palestinian state are also a concern, as many Muslim countries have poor track records on gay rights, and it's questioned why Western European countries would support the creation of another country that puts gays in prison.
The concept of "free" in the Arab-Muslim world is also called into question, as democracy and human rights are not commonly found in countries such as Yemen, Afghanistan, Egypt, Libya, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, and Syria.
The Origin of the Term 'Palestine'
The term "Palestine" is not Arabic in origin, but was given to the region by the Roman Empire, and was later used by European countries, while the local Arabs used different names, such as "Vilayet of Damascus" and "Vilayet of Beirut."
The Palestinian people are considered a colonial project, with the name "Palestine" being used primarily in Europe, and the local Arabs not using it to refer to themselves until recently.
The history of the region, including the rule of the Ottomans for 400 years, is also relevant to understanding the concept of "Palestine" and the potential implications of creating a Palestinian state.
Historical Context of Palestine
The definition of a Palestinian is tied to the borders of a specific area, with an Arab born in Acre being considered Palestinian, while an Arab born in Beirut is considered Lebanese, due to the borders drawn by the British and French, as seen in the Sykes-Picot Agreement.
The Palestinians have adopted the colonial name given to the area by the Roman Empire and the colonial borders given by the British Empire, which can be understood by examining the historical context and agreements such as the Sykes-Picot Agreement.
The Palestinians' Rejection of Statehood
The Palestinians have consistently rejected offers of a state, including in 1937, 1947, and later years, and had the opportunity to build a country under Jordanian and Egyptian rule from 1949 to 1967, but chose not to, raising questions about their true goals.
The main objective of the Arabs, as stated by British Foreign Minister Ernest Bevin in 1947, was to resist the establishment of Jewish sovereignty in any part of Palestine, rather than creating their own state.
A senior PLO official, Zuhair Mohsen, stated in the 1970s that the creation of a Palestinian state was only a means to continue the struggle against Israel and for Arab unity, and that there was no real difference between Jordanians, Palestinians, Syrians, and Lebanese.
True Goals of the Palestinian Movement
Surveys show that Hamas is the most popular party among Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, and the Hamas Charter does not mention a Palestinian state, but instead emphasizes Islam, jihad, and death for the sake of Allah, with phrases like "the Day of Judgment would not come until the Muslims fight and kill the Jews."
The Hamas Charter's focus on Islamic principles and the destruction of Jews, rather than the establishment of a Palestinian state, suggests that the true goals of the Palestinian movement may be different from what is commonly perceived.
The 'Free Palestine' Slogan
It is essential to listen to the other side and consider the actual words and actions of Palestinian leaders, rather than just relying on slogans like "free Palestine" or "liberation."
The idea of "Free Palestine" is considered a bad idea, as it is believed to be code for the destruction of Israel, with some people being deeply bothered by the existence of the Jewish state.
Israel's Contributions and the Obsession with the Israeli-Palestinian Issue
Despite dozens of countries with crosses on their flags and 50 Muslim countries, there is room for one tiny Jewish state, and Israel has made significant contributions to humanity in fields such as irrigation systems, water desalination, agriculture, and technology.
Israel's contributions to the world are valued more than playing the victim, and the country has contributed more to the world than its surrounding countries.
If Palestine is "freed" from Jews, it won't make the world a better place, and those shouting "Free Palestine" are often anti-Israel, which may be rooted in deep-seated antisemitism.
The obsession with the Israeli-Palestinian issue is puzzling, especially in countries far away from the conflict, such as Australia and Canada, where protests have led to attacks on Jewish businesses and institutions.
The lack of outrage and protests for other human rights issues, such as the treatment of Muslims in China, the Tibetans, and the Kurds, suggests that concern for Muslims only appears when it involves the Jewish state.
The situation of the Druze in Syria, who are being horrifically treated by Muslims, is another example of a human rights issue that is being ignored, and it is believed that as long as Palestine is not "free," Israel will still have free speech.