|
In
the recently concluded elections, the terrorist group Hamas
won 76 of the 132 seats in the Palestinian territories. The
elections itself was mired in controversy over whether Hamas
would be allowed to participate. Israel was adamant about not
allowing the Hamas to participate in the elections because of
their background in terror. But the United States was
insistent that they be allowed arguing that a party with 33%
of popular support should not be kept out of electoral
process. The Hamas also tactically removed their call for the
destruction of Israel from their election manifesto.
Fattah,
the party of Yaseer Arafat, is the main political party
running the Government. However, incessant infighting,
corruption, and mal administration caused immense disaffection
with the party that drove the peace process with Israel. This
disaffection was more pronounced in the Gaza strip where the
Hamas traditionally had the highest number of supporters and
the area where the Fattah was most marginalized. The
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will be inviting the Hamas
to form the Government. The Hamas wants a “unity”
Government with all Palestinian parties in it; the Fattah has
politely declined saying that it will be a “loyal
opposition.”
Israel
has refused to accept Hamas as a partner to the peace process
saying that the Hamas Government will be relegated to
“irrelevance” if it does not disarm. The European Union
and the United States have refused to recognize the Hamas
Government if it does not recognize the right of Israel to
exist and disarm. They have warned that about a USD billion
will be withdrawn without these essential steps.
The
Hamas has been defiant in its stand. It has not only refused
to disarm, it says that it will continue its armed struggle as
long as “Palestinian territory is occupied.” However, they
have offered long-term truce and negotiation through third
parties to Israel which Jewish has promptly refused. The Hamas
also rejected Western demands and the threat of aid cut saying
“this aid cannot be a sword over the heads of the
Palestinian people and will not be material to blackmail our
people.”
With
recalcitrant positions adopted by the Hamas and the Western
nations along with Israel does not augur well for the West
Asian peace process. Ultimately, Israeli-Palestinian peace is
foundation to several issues throughout the world. Terrorist
movements based on Islam have been launched in the Palestinian
name from Lebanon, Afghanistan, Sudan, Iran, Saudi Arabia,
Algeria, Egypt, and the all-encompassing al Qaeda. A worsening
peace situation will greatly affect the oil prices and global
economy.
As
always, Indian interests in that region must drive India
policy on this issue.
India
has assiduously developed ties with Israel that ranges from
military technology, agricultural and industrial equipment,
information technology, and processing. The Israelis consider
India as the only ancient civilization where the Jewish people
were not persecuted. True to this belief, India has the oldest
surviving and continual Jewish settlement in the world. Even
though India had consistently voted against Israel during the
Cold War, the Israelis continually tried to assist and develop
relations with India through intermediaries. Most importantly,
in all of Asia from West to Singapore, Israel and India are
the only two stable and true democracies with a strong
grounding in rule of law and due process.
India
also has very strong relationship with the Palestinian people
and the Islamic world. India has the second largest Muslim
population in the world, is secular, preserves the right to
worship, allows Indians to follow their individual faiths, and
is democratic. It has a long history of contacts with West and
Central Asia. India continued to entertain and politically
support Yaseer Arafat, even when he was an ostracized
individual. India has a large number of expatriates in West
Asia and large investments in oil and natural gas. Further,
India wants to increase its investments in oil and natural gas
in West Asia to power an energy-deficient economy.
Therefore,
India has to actively participate in promoting peace in the
region. Firstly, it must counsel Hamas to accept the right of
Israel to exist. Secondly, it must encourage Israel to start a
dialogue through a third party. India with interests,
relationships, and trust in the region, can be that third
party. After all, Hamas did win the elections in Palestine
largely considered to be free and fair. Thirdly, it should
encourage Hamas to unilaterally declare a ceasefire in return
for financial aid. Despite the bravado shown by Hamas,
international aid is essential for the survival of the
Palestinian people. Fourthly, it must encourage the US and EU
not to adopt a rigid policy on aid. As was seen in Iraq,
cutting aid to the Palestinian people will end up starving the
population, killing the children, increasing hatred of the
West, and telling people that the West preaches democracy but
does not respect it. Therefore,
it is important to use aid as a carrot and not a stick.
In
effect, the Hamas victory resets the whole West Asian peace
process. Taking an active part in the peace process and not
being drawn into one side or the other is the most important.
Also, it is important not to be pressured into accepting one
position or the other.
Home
Page
|
