Israel’s Dastardly Act of War
PKKH Editorial | ZainulAbedin Ameer
The world has witnessed atrocities committed by the Israelis against the Palestinians many times. Many renowned individuals from different countries have raised their voices in response, but no serious action has ever been taken. Recently, Israel proved it’s brazen nature again when it became obvious that its intelligence agency was behind the assassination of a Hammas leader in Dubai. There was much hue and cry, but after a short while the issue died down. This time, however, Israel really seems to have gone too far by attacking aid workers in international waters.
Why on earth would Israeli Special Forces be instructed to attack unarmed aid workers? The answer to this is simple: the Israeli’s are quite used to bullying other countries and getting away with it because they enjoy America’s backing. This time, America has delayed making any statements, which leaves many already with the feeling that the U.S. condones this dastardly act of war as one of self defence – That’s the usual American stance! While the world waits to hear what America has to say, more and more political figures and the world at large intensifies their condemnation.
What next?
Protests are the usual way we show our disappointment. However, this time everything seems to be a whole lot more serious. Pakistan has already called for emergency sessions at the UN and OIC, which is a positive sign. In the absence of a diplomatic channel, Pakistan still has to communicate with Israel for the sake of its citizens being held hostage. In order to do so, countries that have diplomatic relations with Israel have been approached, and Pakistan now has indirect communication with their citizens being held by Israel.
Israel ought to realize that abducting Pakistani citizens or any other country’s citizens and taking them hostage in international waters is an act of war. Graver than this act itself is the slaughter of at least 20 innocent aid workers on their way to deliver food and other aid to Palestine. Given that Israel has committed blatant violation of human rights and has conducted state terrorism, there are apparently two ways to punish them.
Punitive Action for Israel
Diplomatic isolation is one way to go about penalizing Israel. An alternative measure is to treat them the same way other supposed terrorist states have been treated by America and its allied forces; Israel should be attacked and invaded. However, should we really go for the latter, and act the way America has? Or are we more humane? At the same time, it is worth asking if it is really humane to just accept the massacre of innocent aid workers aboard the Flotilla? Is it really humane to witness innocent men, women and children being slaughtered in Palestine and do nothing about it? Is it humane to go to bed every night with your stomach full, knowing that on average an individual in Palestine lives on only 4 Kgs of food per week?
We need Immediate Action
The international community will take its own sweet time to make decisions about Israel’s state terror in international waters. However, we should not refrain from putting pressure on them to make sure the maximum is achieved. Apart from that effort, we as Muslim nations have a duty to those being victimized in Palestine as well as those massacred in international waters. How we should act is not just left up to our political and military leaders; it is we as individuals who must make sure we put immense pressure on our leaders to act immediately. We Must Act Now!
Our Holy Prophet [S.A.W.W.] said: “When you see an evil act you have to stop it with your hand. If you can’t, then at least speak out against it with your tongue. If not, you have to at least hate it with all your heart. And this is the weakest form of faith.” –Sahih Muslim, Book of faith.
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Great article. good thoughts.
i believe, first off, muslims should at least put up a united stance. there should be one undivided stance of all muslim countries with a common response. for once give a message of what muslim brotherhood is.
all muslims countries should suspend diplomatic ties with israel. israel should be given clear cut warning of inciting muslim world to forceful response of war, if the siege is not lifted and if israel does not apologize officially and publicly. israel should also be asked to pay compensations for life and other damages caused.
if that is not done, then let israel try it again. this is a better practical response: at least one of the mainstream muslim country should send an aid vessel again with some naval frigates to make sure israel does not get cute and if so, teach israel a lesson. i would like pakistan or turkey to do that because only these two countries can really do it too.
PKKH @ the title: it wasnt really an act of war but an act of terrorism. its a carnage that israel carried out much like pirates at sea do. would be precise to replace the word war with terrorism or something that suits better.
I said this to ali too, but I think I shd tell u this too: Taking anyone hostage from any country is in fact an act of war.
very well sehrish. if you say so. but war is too positive a word for this incident. a war essentially has to characterized by an armed conflict from both sides and is usually not immoral. when pirates loot and kill at sea, that is not called waging war but piracy and terrorism. aid ships go around the world all the time unarmed without expecting such attacks that if and when do occur are not bracketed under this word ‘war’ but something else. and a simple definition from dictionary would tell you how war is defined literally and practically.
i do not really have a problem with the word here. the thing is, just apply this incident the other way. what would have happened if it was a Jewish ship and it got attacked in such inhumane way from a Muslim country blocking international access to some area. i think you can discern the response that would’ve come from across the world. unfortunately, in these times words such as freedom struggle and self defence are propagated as terrorism and terrorism tagged as something else. that is because media can do wonder what nothing else can. so just make them realize its terrorism and not war, because if its war, then turkey can send its frigates along with second boats and if they are attacked again (which they wont be), perhaps then it’d be right to call it an act of war.
but nevertheless, thats my own point of view. you or anyone else does not have to necessarily agree to it and i am open to open criticism and discussion. what is important is that i know after all, we both agree that whatever it was, it was inhumane and unethical and we also know what the world has called it precisely.
PKKH THIS IS NOT A WAR OF ISRAEL BUT A TERRORISM AGAINST UNARMED AID WORKERS. YOU SEEMS TO LOSE GROUNDS WHEN WE REALY NEED YOUR FULL SUPPORT ON ISSUES SUCH AS THIS ONE, BUT YOU ARE SAYING THIS IS ONE OF THE WAR THING???? MAKE YOURSELF CLEAR …IM BEGINENING TO DOUBT YOUR REAL ATTENTIONS.
Taking anyone hostage from any country is in fact an act of war. Anyone who has knowledge of war will know that. Also, why r u using Upper case writing; that’s used for yelling. And I wonder why u’d be yelling…
Agreed… taking hostages is itself an act of war…
I wonder what EU is going to do against israel as Turkey is part of EU countires.
Turkey has nt been allowed in EU yet… So tht leaves turkey alone without the backing of EU …
@ PhoenixRising
but it’s a part of NATO and thats very significant. technically if Turkish interests are attacked, such as an event like that over the weekend, NATO is obliged to defend the interests of its allies. but……………. i dont know if that will carry any weight in this present scenario. i sure wait to see Turkey’s response. Turkey’s reaction should not be irresponsible but it must be swift and decisive. Israel must be told that terrorist activites cannot go unpunished even though they enjoy the patronage of the US. i hope all muslim nations will stand up and back Turkey to the hilt whatever it chooses to do. wishful thinking han?
Bro..
NATO is itself a drama.. they r nt allowing turkey in EU .. do u think they will help her in anything like this..?? UN.. WB… WHO… these are all stages whr zionists play with other nations.. but anyway.. i guess i m goin off track here.. so… wht i wud like to say according to the topic is… Israel is a terrorist country and it should be boxed as soon as possible.. Pakistan shud send its navy vessels with the turkish.. and if israel hits them too.. then tht should be taken seriously an act of war against Pakistan.. thts the only excuse we need.. and then we will see who goes to hell…
War is a more dignified term. it would have been an act of war if israel had the guts to do it on a Turkish warship ….. please dont insult war by comparing it with terrorism
@ Atif
my dear brother, an act of terror in international waters not only equates to piracy, but technically it is an ‘act of war’ too. check out the definitions my brother. God Bless, take care.. AA
This proves ISRAEL-INDIA-USA are exis of evil and terrorists of the world because Americans are killing the innocent muslims without any evidence of wrongdoing and on the basis of dramas like 9/11 and blackmailing pakistan with time square drama and now getting out of control. Israel has shown over the year and the current episode of terror is unforgivable and should be retaliated. And our cunning and coward neighbour which leaves no stone unturned to torture unarmed kashmiris and commit terrorism in Pakistan and neighbouring states. So the trio is exis of evil and world should teach these terroists a lesson now. PAKISTANI ARMY SHOW SOME GHAIRAT AND STOP THE SUPPLIES OF TERRORISTS AMERICANS FROM PAKISTAN AND TELL THEM TO GET THE HELL OUT OF THIS REGION AND STOP BLACKMAILIN US. SHAME ON EXIS OF EVIL.
Spoken like a true Pakistani…. our country is going to the dogs… Ahmediyas have been killed – but guess what – it is more important to look at kashmiris and palentinians… because obviously, their pain is much lesser than an issue that is far away from home.
waah janab….
Ahmed, why are you so keen on magnifying the recent killing of qadiani sect? its not a question from a book of calculus that itd need an education to solve. i think for anyone in pakistan, its pretty easy to figure out why were ahmedis attacked and who are the beneficiaries here. you should understand who is most upset of calmness of minorities in pakistan. there may be occasional crimes, because pakistan is also not in a good shape but at least there are no riots on ethnic and blood lines against minorities like in bharat. ahmedis have been living on pakistan on equal terms. when have you heard them getting targeted or persecuted? are they living like scheduled classes without toilets? do they live in slums? do they get denied with necessities of life? do they not get justice in courts in their everyday matters? what is it? one incident and we lose it all? i know so many qadianis. they study and live in pakistan on equal terms. you should refrain from giving it a shade of ahmedi killing entirely because you know more pakistani sunnis have died in all attacks ever since they started but do you see any sunnis crying they are insecure and being targeted? just try to gather whats goin on and fight back like a nation without getting played in foreign hands. everyone is giving sacrifices here, and these minorities are deliberately being targeted from you know who to destabilize pakistan. so please act sane and logical.
palestinians are our brothers and sisters and its very unwise of you to say that it is more important to look at kashmiris and palentinians. for muslim and muslim ummah there is no differentiation on bloodlines. palestinians are our brothers and so are kashmiris and we will make sure to stand and support them as long as we can do and as long as they are not liberated from cruelty. lets act like an ummah here, not a mob. raise voice for everyone and support other pakistanis here without promoting disagreement and issues. everyone has issues, but its us who has to solve them.
Yeah right – the fictional Ummah… I wonder if they will also pass laws declaring us non-muslims…. and whether more Dr Abdus Salams will be marginalised because of their faith.
I wonder who told you about the non-persecution in Pakistan. I’ve grown up with it. I bet you want to blame the attack on RAW or Israel… but guess what, everyone here knows the reality.
The problem with Pakistan is that we are obsessed with some ummah when no other islamic state in the world is. Allah hasn’t given us the sole responsibility of repairing the world…
Honestly – it’s time for us to sort our mess out first….. do you really think the world will listen to us on Kashmir or Palestine. NO. Because they see us as a dangerous place and an unstable country (politically). Once we sort ourselves out, then we can sit down and tell the rest of the world what to do.
In the meanwhile, you can continue to dream about your ummah – but remember this. After the attack on “place of worship” we did not march down all streets with banners and shouting death to America….. we remained calm. And if you want to find the truth…. why not ask the darling of the media – “Dr” Amir Liaquat Hussain
good, i wanted you to say all that. now you know who you are.
fortunately, for you, ill leave you with that. but you can take this sectarian discussion to sites specially made for you and these petty purposes. you won’t find much charm here. good bye and good luck with you hate proliferation.
Israeli Butchery at Sea by Gilad Atzmon
http://www.gilad.co.uk/writings/israeli-butchery-at-sea-by-gilad-atzmon.html
As I write this piece the scale of the Israeli lethal slaughter at sea is yet to be clear. However we already know that at around 4am Gaza time, hundreds of IDF commandos stormed the Free Gaza international humanitarian fleet. We learn from the Arab press that at least 16 peace activists have been murdered and more than 50 were injured. Once again it is devastatingly obvious that Israel is not trying to hide its true nature: an inhuman murderous collective fueled by a psychosis and driven by paranoia.
For days the Israeli government prepared the Israeli society for the massacre at sea. It said that the Flotilla carried weapons, it had ‘terrorists’ on board. Only yesterday evening it occurred to me that this Israeli malicious media spin was there to prepare the Israeli public for a full scale Israeli deadly military operation in international waters. Make no mistake. If I knew exactly where Israel was heading and the possible consequences, the Israeli cabinet and military elite were fully aware of it all the way along. What happened yesterday wasn’t just a pirate terrorist attack. It was actually murder in broad day light even though it happened in the dark.
Yesterday at 10 pm I contacted Free Gaza and shared with them everything I knew. I obviously grasped that hundreds of peace activists most of them elders, had very little chance against the Israeli killing machine. I was praying all night for our brothers and sisters. At 5am GMT the news broke to the world. In international waters Israel raided an innocent international convoy of boats carrying cement, paper and medical aid to the besieged Gazans. The Israelis were using live ammunition murdering and injuring everything around them.
Today we will see demonstrations around the world, we will see many events mourning our dead. We may even see some of Israel’s friends ‘posturing’ against the slaughter. Clearly this is not enough.
The massacre that took place yesterday was a premeditated Israeli operation. Israel wanted blood because it believes that its ‘power of deterrence’ expands with the more dead it leaves behind. The Israeli decision to use hundreds of commando soldiers against civilians was taken by the Israeli cabinet together with the Israeli top military commanders. What we saw yesterday wasn’t just a failure on the ground. It was actually an institutional failure of a morbid society that a long time ago lost touch with humanity.
It is no secret that Palestinians are living in a siege for years. But it is now down to the nations to move on and mount the ultimate pressure on Israel and its citizens. Since the massacre yesterday was committed by a popular army that followed instructions given by a ‘democratically elected’ government, from now on, every Israeli should be considered as a suspicious war criminal unless proved different.
Considering the fact that Israel stormed naval vessels sailing under Irish, Turkish and Greek flags. Both NATO members and EU countries must immediately cease their relationships with Israel and close their airspace to Israeli airplanes.
Considering yesterday’s news about Israeli nuclear submarines being stationed in the Gulf, the world must react quickly and severely. Israel is now officially mad and deadly. The Jewish State is not just careless about human life, as we have been following the Israeli press campaign leading to the slaughter, Israel actually seeks pleasure in inflicting pain and devastation on others.
>>Why on earth would Israeli Special Forces be instructed to attack unarmed aid workers? The answer to this is simple: the Israeli’s are quite used to bullying other countries and getting away with it because they enjoy America’s backing. >>
Probably the answer is that they do not want world to see the exact situation of Gaza which can be exposed if they let in aid workers or media.
I have had the (dis)pleasure of knowing Mr. Zain personally and I feel that anything he is doing is not honest in any way.