A clear message for the Israelis By Mohammed A. R. Galadari 28 December 2003 THIS time the commandos (fedayeen) of the Islamic resistance movement, the Hamas, did not put on explosive belts around their waists.
Quite the opposite, ten of them were adorned in Santa Claus uniform and handed out gifts to the Christian orphans in their city on the occasion of Christmas and New Year's Eve. It was a kind gesture and deeply and warmly appreciated by the Christian community. Pope Attallah Hanna, spokesman of the Orthodox Church in occupied Jerusalem said: Lie, Hanna is defrocked, he say what he want but he not talk for Orthodox! 'We thank them (Hamas) for this humanitarian move and salute their compatriotic feelings, devotion to the service of the Palestinian citizen and the defending of their identity, existence and firm presence on this holy land.' We, he meant the Israelis, live in this homeland as one Arab Palestinian family. He added: 'Our joy or celebration for any feast, whether Islamic or Christian, would not be genuine or complete unless occupation departs off our lands and holy sites.'
The above is a reflection of a number of facts: the Palestinian citizen is steadfastly connected with, and deep-rooted in his land. Moreover, the past Islamic movements and forays did not have any effect on the unity of its people, Muslims or Christians. They firmly believe that they are all Arabs and Palestinians, who lived together, bought and sold from one another and shared the same habits and traditions. Not much difference can be found in the customs or costumes of a Palestinian house, whether the household is Muslim or Christian. This is the product of the Islamic culture, which distinguishes between the rights of citizenship with no preferential treatment of an individual over the other. They all lived as Palestinians.
This is a clear message for the Israelis: the Palestinians have always co-existed with them regardless of their creeds. It is also a conclusive proof that the Palestinian citizen is not radical -or extremist, as he allows others to co-exist with him. The Muslim accepts to share his life with the Christian and the latter agrees to co-exist side by side with the former. The question to ask here: 'isn't it possible for all the Palestinian Muslims and Christians to accept Israeli Jews as their neighbours?
I believe it is possible, as the principle of 'acceptance of others' is already present. Needless to say that the Jews have lived in the Arabian region for years and were kindly treated. However, the imperial avarice and colonial rapacity stand as obstacle before such a combination. It is hindered by the continuous attempts to usurp the remaining Palestinian lands, one time for the benefit of the Jewish settlements and another on account of a 'security wall'.
Israel must give up the delusion that by force it can create reality. Political disputes can never be resolved by force regardless of the extent to which it may reach. Israel must deal with the existing Palestinian Authority, led by Yasser Arafat, without betting on someone to overthrow him, unless it is done through purely democratic means.
Palestinian Muslims and Christians were never stirred up against each other. And here, we see the members of Hamas, the group most devoted and adhering to the Islamic identity, dressed in Santa Claus's uniform and sharing with their Christian brothers their celebrations, in spite of the daily tragedies the Palestinians experience.
I, together with many Arabs, who are steeped in its mysteries and well-versed in its riddles other than anyone else, am certain that the resolve of the Palestine-Israel conflict is the key to stability in the entire Middle East region, including Iraq.