ARE ARABS REGROUPING TO DESTROY ISRAEL?

Prof Dr Colonel (Retired) K Prabhakar Rao

The recent war between Israel and Hezbollah which is based in Lebanon has reportedly resulted in much publicized (Third world glorified) regrouping of the Islamic forces in Middle East with sole aim of destroying Israel. The conflict between the two was entirely due to the provocative actions of Hezbollah and it first attacked Israel intensely with rockets. Israel had to retaliate and had no option. It is quiet natural that an attacker initially has an advantage of surprise in any war. As a consequence, Hezbollah gained some credits when it could strike the Israeli battle ship near Haifa and seriously damaged it by firing C-802 shore to ship missile supplied by Iran. Similarly, it’s Katyusha rockets supplied by Iran also found their marks (1). This however does not form the basis for intense chest beating on the streets by Arabs in Lebanon and other places that they have defeated Israel and that the myth of invincibility of Israel has been blown up. Sadly some of the third world press articles over react and blow up these initial gains as Arab victory and Shia Sunni unity. But they are sadly mistaken and are on wild goose chase. These articles are biased and prejudiced too as they see USA and Israel as evil in the world (2). After the initial attacks by Hezbollah, Israel has gone hammer and tong against the terrorist outfit in Lebanon that caused severe damage to the infrastructure in Lebanon. This was inevitable as the terrorist outfit was well entrenched in civilian areas, residential colonies and buildings and used civilians as their shields. Their Rocket Launching Sites and Launching Pads were located inside civil buildings. Therefore these attacks by Israel Air Force resulted in loss of civilian lives including children. No one attacks children willingly. The casualties are due to the disposition of Hezbollah in Lebanon. Hezbollah chief Nasrallah did not die in the air attacks by Israel. This does not mean that Israel has been defeated. It is as strong as ever in the Middle East. Of course the tactics of warfare have changed in recent conflict compared to the three decades old Yom Kirrup war. Now short range rockets and Ababil, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles(UAV) reportedly supplied by Iran have been freely used by Hezbollah as initial surprise and they were replied back with colossal infrastructural damage and loss of life in Lebanon. No one would approve destruction and loss of life in any country. But this is inevitable when a terrorist outfit such as Hezbollah decides to provoke and unleash rocket attacks on the neighbor. They are to be cut to size and this is what Israel did. Ceasefire was announced ending the conflict at the intervention of UNO. This does not mean that Hezbollah has defeated Israel and if some one is wishfully claiming so, he or she is only living in a fool’s paradise.

In the recent war, there were some changes in the tactics of Hezbollah, a terrorist outfit which claims itself either as liberation army or a political party. These were in the form of rocket attacks as stated earlier. As a matter of fact, Lebanon is next door to Israel like Jordon and Syria with common borders. Egyptian mainland, Iraq and Iran are however far away. In earlier invasions and attacks such as Six Day War of 1968 and 1973 Yom Kirrup War, land invasions using massive armor formations were the tactics. Rockets and missiles were not in the reach of Arab world then. Arabs had poor Air Forces. Even now, air power of Arab countries is very poor and Israel has great edge on this account. Hezbollah which is a terrorist outfit can not wage a conventional pitted war against a superior and determined enemy like Israel. Their tactics would be hit and run methods and rockets were fired in to the next door Israel with some success due to surprise attack. However, the high degree of reaction and its intensity by Israel was not anticipated by them. Condemnation of Israel on this account by its critics and Arab sympathizers from third world countries including Indian press is well understood as a biased and prejudiced reaction. Every move of West is seen in negative perspective by these countries and the press. The point of contention is “Why Israel should not retaliate and defend itself out of all the countries in the world. “Is it because it enjoys American support and protection?” There is a saying that even a small snake has to be killed by a strong and big stick. In no uncertain terms Israel just did that. It is as simple as that. The tiny Jewish nation has been living in the midst of blood thirsty fundamentalist Arab countries which waged continuous wars against it ever since it’s founding (3). The Arab nations are waiting with drawn swords to annihilate the Jews and President of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmedinejad has gone on the record that he would destroy Israel by dropping a nuclear bomb once they acquire it. How many third world countries denounced such irresponsible statement by a head of a State who are now criticizing Israel for using excessive power and causing devastation in Lebanon? Why Lebanon can not control Hezbollah being in their own country? After the collapse of Iraq as a regional powerful Islamic State in the recent war with US and allied forces, Iran has emerged as the spokesman and self styled leader for the Arab cause and is emerging as the next powerful state in the region (4) (5). In earlier major engagements with Israel, Iran was not involved. As long as Shah Pehalwi was in power in Iran, it supported American interests. The scenario changed in 1979, once fundamentalist Ayatollah Rohatullah Khomeini deposed the Shah in the revolution that even resulted in the American hostage crisis. Iran has emerged as the strongest and arch enemy of USA since then and they declared death to America openly and have been propagating international violence to destroy Israel and America. They are feverishly after acquiring a nuclear bomb against all international pressures and in this effort; Pakistan and North Korea have aided Iran. In the terminology of American President George W Bush, Iran, Iraq (Under Saddam Hussein), Al Qaeda, Taliban and North Korea form the evil axis (6).

As on today, Saudi Arabia, Jordon and Egypt are keeping out of these Middle East conflicts while in Lebanon, democracy is surviving under the protective umbrella of USA. Syria and Iran are on the offensive front as nations. Iraq is a spent force and is struggling to stabilize itself after the defeat of Saddam Hussein. Egypt that spearheaded all major a war against Israel has finally signed a peace treaty having become wise and is keeping away from the conflicts. Jordon too came to terms with Israel. Power of Iraq has been demolished. Lebanon has a democratic government under the US umbrella. But it is living with a tiger such as Hezbollah in its bed. Turkey however is the only democracy free of religious bigotry and is better governed and keeps away from these useless conflicts.

Middle East politics are dominated by Shia and Sunni conflicts and differences. These conflicts are age old and are continuing since the death of Prophet Mohammed (Peace be on Him).These differences can never be set right and all earlier efforts over centuries for reconciliation by learned men failed. The struggle between Sunni and Shia sects reached new dimensions in Iraq. As a consequence, understanding arrived between the religious heads of Sunni and Shia in Mecca on October 22, 2006 has not worked (7). This meeting took place under the auspices of Jeddah based Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and the International Islamic Fiqh Academy. At the meeting it was declared that the mutual killings by Sunni and Shia sects should immediately stop as both are Muslims and believe in all the aspects of Islam by and large. Even the Prophet (Peace be on Him) recommended reconciliation by various groups and did not sanction violence against each other during his life time.

It is a usual practice in Islamic countries where people run amuck crazily on the streets yelling in mass hysteria whenever some minor success is achieved in conflicts against their enemy. In the case of recent conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, people demonstrated their happiness accordingly on the streets of Lebanon when rockets were fired with some success into Israel. It is claimed that by and large, the people forgot mutual sectarian differences in their rejoicing. The fear of invasion by Israel probably resulted in the phenomenon. However the feared invasion did not take place except limited border crossing by Israeli troops into Lebanon. These incidents of street assemblies and mass histrionics can not be taken as a major reconciliation between Shia and Sunni sects that could bring all Muslims of the world together in their fight against Israel and USA. The press in third world has blown it accordingly as a major breakthrough in the Sunni and Shia relations leading to all Arab co- operation and has glorified as the defeat of Israel and victory for Hezbollah. How poor are they in their judgment? If at all any rejoicing was there among Muslim masses in some Arab countries, soon it disappeared with Israeli massive retaliation and culminated into accusations of killing children and causing damage to civilian properties. Usually critics of USA from third world countries including Indian press claim that West is very much interested in the divide and rule policy and they would pit Sunni against Shia, watch the fun and derive political benefits out of it. India even after 50years of independence is unable to shed its anti European and American stand completely and suffers from the feelings of wronged nation at the hands of Europeans and white men. Indian history books are still replete with writings of divide and rule policy of Robert Clive of East India Company who was the key figure in establishing British supremacy in India in eighteenth century. The much publicized, antiquated and much West- hated Non Aligned Movement (NAM) of last century mooted by Jawaharlal Nehru of India, Sukarno of Indonesia and Colonel Abdel Gamal Nasser of Egypt left no friend for India in the world and it is hated by all its neighbors. In those bye gone years, American Foreign Secretary John Dulles described Non Alignment as a sin. Although Muslim invaders and past rulers have done incalculable damage to India, it keeps rubbing the shoulders with Arab world that never supported India in the time of crisis and wars with Pakistan and in elimination of terrorism in Kashmir. Saudi Arabia is a Wahhabi Sunni State and is the land of the Prophet (Peace be on Him) and their hatred towards Saddam Hussein of Iraq and Bath Party is well known. Sizable number of Shia constitutes population of Iraq and dominates country’s politics. Iran is a Shia country and was at war with Iraq for almost a decade. Therefore, it is opined that only sectarian differences do not lead to hatred and conflict between Muslim countries. There would be other political considerations for these conflicts. If all Muslims are capable of forgetting their sectarian differences and mutual hatred, Ottoman Empire would not have been disintegrated. The Fatwa issued by the Caliphate during World War I was overlooked by many Islamic countries and these countries joined the allied forces against the Ottoman Empire and Germans. The result was break up of the Ottoman Empire and emerging of new Islamic States such as Iraq, Syria, Jordon and Lebanon. The third world press draws conclusions that Saudi Arabian, Egyptian, and Jordanian Governments which are in the American camp were compelled to express solidarity with Hezbollah and placate Sunni masses on the streets at the claimed Hezbollah victory. In this context Saudi Arabian Fatwa is being quoted that asked Sunni Muslims not to support Hezbollah. However this was subsequently withdrawn or not followed up for strict implementation. The visit of brother of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to Beirut in the middle of war to offer support to the war by Hezbollah is also seen as the Arab unity in recent times. For all purposes, a mountain is being made out of the mole and the anticipated Arab unity is a wishful thinking. Firing of few rockets suddenly into the neighborhood does not bring military victory of any kind to a terrorist group except it helps in building mass hysteria among the gullible Muslim masses that are continuously being pushed down the throat that Jews are their natural and born enemies and should be therefore eliminated and put to sword at all costs. The irresponsible actions of Hezbollah only brought misery to the Muslim masses in Lebanon and there was no victory of any kind in the conflict. The conflict has made Israel more determined and alert. There was no doubt of large scale destruction of civilian facilities in Lebanon owing to the massive bombing by Israel as retaliation. Why the nations are not censoring the terrorist outfit Hezbollah for perpetuating a conflict all of a sudden and then why cry hoarse about the reaction of Israel? Israel has only defended itself as a natural right. Its actions were offensive defense in the military tactical terminology. Another charge against the West (Obviously USA) is that Arab nations who speak for Arab cause are dubbed as Rogue States. Which are these States? Syria, Iran are sovereign States while Al Qaeda, Hezbollah, Taliban and Hamas are terrorist outfits only. These nations and outfits only recommend death to USA and Israel and throughout the year plan anti American and anti Jewish activities to perpetuate anarchy in the world. They have no other past time. They recommend terrorism as the answer for destroying the West and India too. Iran feverishly is trying to acquire a nuclear weapon that would be like a stone in the hands of a lunatic. More so because, it would destroy Israel by dropping the atom Bomb on Israel after acquiring the weapon as per their own statement. Therefore, these States and organizations are dubbed as Rogue nations and outfits and they amply deserve the titles. Pakistan being the staunch ally of USA in the region of Indian sub continent, more by compulsion than by choice has produced quartered, armed and sheltered international terrorists and Taliban in their country. They had no option except to toe the line of USA during Afghan conflict against Taliban and Al Qaeda. It was also in the recent news that Pakistan was threatened with bombings and consequent return to Stone Age; if it did not co- operate with USA during the past conflict with Afghanistan and Al Qaeda. Pakistan has been waging terrorist led Jihad against India and is fully involved in the train bombings at Mumbai which however it denies. It is also strange that USA is demanding a perfect proof for involvement of Pakistan in the train bombings in order to castigate Pakistan. The culprits have escaped to Pakistan. However USA generally gives a clean chit to Pakistan against India stating that in Pakistan all terrorist outfits are banned. Who will believe such clean chits for a nation which came into existence on the base of Hindu hatred and bigotry? Pakistan is not an Arab nation. But it is an Islamic republic although there is no democracy there. Most of the time in its history of existence, it is under military dictatorship and chaotic and misrule. Immediately after gaining independence, India came under the influence of Socialist block and as a measure of balance, USA has patronized Pakistan. It was a period of cold war. USA has protected military dictatorships from time to time in Pakistan and also has armed it fully. West usually claims it as strategic balancing of power. Pakistan also has produced nuclear weapons and some missiles and delivery systems with the help of China. Nuclear technology has also leaked to Iran through Pakistan and credibility of Pakistan as a responsible State having nuclear weapons that can prevent the leakage to rogue nations is completely eroded. There is no guarantee that in future, it would not leak the nuclear technology and sell clandestinely a nuclear weapon to Al Qaeda or Taliban. Although Pakistan is not an Arab State, Islamic loyalties and bonds remain. Pakistan being an ally, it is not being dubbed as a rogue nation by America although in heart and heart they are sure and convinced that Pakistan is a terrorist and rogue State. But fact is that it is the most dangerous nation backing terrorist actions in the world and is a haven for Al Qaeda terrorists in its Waziristan province. Kashmiri terrorists are protected and have sanctuaries in Pakistan. They are guided and armed by ISI of Pakistan. Terrorist Osama bin Laden and the other leaders are known to be hiding in Pakistan and it is pretending that it fights Al Qaeda along with America. There is also a strong evidence to prove that Taliban is being revived by Pakistan. Taliban is known to have taken hold in at least seven provinces such as Kandahar, Zabul, Uruzgyan, Kunar,Paktika, Paktia and Helmond. The writ of Afghan President Hamid Karzai runs only in Kabul. Top leaders of Taliban, Mullah Omar, Mullah Dadullah, Maulvi Obaidullah, Jalauddin Haqani have escaped US net. Of course Osama Bin Laden also probably escaped at Tora Bora caves in Afghanistan although some claim that he was killed in the bombings by US forces. There was also a rumor that Laden died recently in Pakistan due to Typhoid fever. Taliban is known to be using old ideology with new tactics. They are targeting officials, Engineers, UN employees and all those who are pro- Karzai, the Afghan President. They are targeting non Muslims and also Muslims who do not subscribe to their eccentric fundamentalist ideology (8). Some how, US is turning a blind eye to the activities of Taliban and Kashmiri terrorists in Pakistan and is happy with arrest of Al Qaeda men in Pakistan now and then. Pakistan is also not happy with close Indian association with Afghan Government. Taliban is slowly being made a political party and Afghan President Hamid Karzai has invited Taliban to join his Government to further political reconciliation (9). Indian presence in Afghanistan as Consulates in Kandahar and Mazar –e- Sheriff, Herat and Jalalabad are vehemently criticized by Pakistan because the activities of Taliban abetted by it are being exposed. Recently an Indian Engineer Surya Narayana working with Bahrain’s Al-Moayed Company in Afghanistan was kidnapped on 28 April, 2006 and was killed by Taliban (10). The hand of Pakistan inspiration can not be ruled out in the kidnapping and murder of the engineer. He was beheaded which is a typical style of Taliban in killing its victims. These activities are to create terror in the minds of prospective and present employees of Indian origin in Afghanistan working in various developmental projects taken up by international companies. The Taliban has changed as per Indian Intelligence sources. Earlier they were rag- tag ill trained militia of students of Deobandi Madrasas of Pakistan devoid of any great fighting qualities. Most of them disappeared when they confronted US forces. The suicide squad techniques have been adopted by the Taliban who are better motivated and trained at present. Journalist and author Ahmed Rashid writing in London Telegraph reported that NATO commanders have asked their Governments to get tough with Pakistan over it’s support to Taliban in providing sanctuaries and hiding places in the country. Sadly American President George W Bush and Tony Blair, Prime Minister of England are not recognizing the fact of Pakistan being a rogue State, outwardly offering sympathy and co operation and promoting terrorism clandestinely and contributing to disorder and sabotaging world peace. It is high time Pakistan is exposed on this account (11). Unless Pakistan is disciplined and checked with iron hand, terrorism in international arena would continue and the efforts made by USA and allied forces in tackling the evil would not be fruitful and desired results would not be achieved. Sooner this fact is recognized by the Western powers, better it is. Geographically Pakistan is very close to Afghanistan and the most inhospitable region such as Waziristan (Formerly known as North Western Frontier Agencies during the British rule in India) is within Pakistan. Even the Englishmen found it extremely difficult to discipline these hardy hill tribesmen. These are the best hiding grounds for Al Qaeda and all other terrorists, criminals, killers, thugs, cheats and international mischief makers. No rule of law is possible in these tribal provinces. Pakistan derives full advantage of these conditions and is promoting terrorism. Its birth is based on hatred towards Hindus (Kafirs) and naturally they are the close associates of Taliban who claim that only Islam should stay in the world. Thus Pakistan poses more danger to world peace than any other country. Pakistan is a part of NATO and camp follower of America. There is an Indian saying that it is extremely difficult and rather impossible for even the God to catch a thief from within house. Pakistan is not being taken to task by the world powers although it is a den of terrorists and promoting international terrorism while being a part of NATO. Although it is not an Arab State and does not have interests in Middle East affairs being far away from the region, being an Islamic State with nuclear capability has to be very carefully watched controlled and disciplined. It would act behind the scene abetting the terrorist activities in the world. Pakistan has promoted Taliban in Afghanistan as an answer to force out Soviet troops from Afghanistan and world would not be surprised if Pakistan itself is Talibanised by fundamentalists. It is something like a demon devouring its own creator. Pakistan President General Parvez Musharraf is modern, educated and a polished military aristocrat and has a vision of modernity and hopes to become Mustafa Kamal (Ata Turk) of Turkey for Pakistan. But he is very much overshadowed by the civilian fundamentalists around him and in the army and their threat hangs like a Damocles’ sword on the head of General Musharraf. If he could overthrow President Nawaz Sheriff, he could as well be thrown out by the military Junta and fundamentalists if he deviates from the fundamentalist and usual anti Indian path.

The unity in Muslims with respect to Sunni and Shia sects is next to impossible although some prejudiced writers blow up the street demonstrations in some of the Arab States during the recent Middle East conflict as an emerging Arab unity and third world countries has no dearth for such prejudiced writers. It is their wishful thinking. Although some efforts are made recently at Mecca, the hatred continues unabatedly and the killings in Iraq are an example. Although Shia constitutes only 10 to 15 % of total Muslim population in the world, Shia community became politically powerful with emergence of Iran and Iraq. Saudi Arabia is a Wahhabi Sunni State and is militarily weak. It has yielded bases to USA for its safety in Middle East and protection of its oil wealth. Egypt, Kuwait and Jordon have walked into US camp having become frustrated with the conflicts in Middle East. They are on progressive growth. Iraq is a fallen State and takes a long time to build up after the fall of Saddam Hussein. Lebanon is pursuing democracy while Syria and Iran have adopted confrontational policies. Iran is not an Arab State. But is abetting terrorism for Arab cause. Thus some of the important Arab States that are out of the Arab camp are more interested in developing their countries than embarking on futile fights with West. However certain die hard countries such as Syria and Iran are the trouble makers along with Hezbollah, Hamas and Taliban. Iran has no common border with Israel and cannot invade Israel directly. But it will use Lebanon based Hezbollah as a proxy as done in the recent conflict. Lebanon and Syria do not have powerful land armies or air forces to invade Israel which has emerged as regional super power in Middle East. Israel is capable of defending itself. However impending nuclear threat from Iran is a serious threat in the region and Iran has developed missiles for launching them. Hezbollah can be used as a proxy in future conflicts too. Pakistan inspired Taliban can export terrorism through Al Qaeda against west and Israel and this has to be countered. Regrouping of all Arab states against Israel again is doubtful as some of the important Arab nations are interested in developing their countries than waging wars with Israel that would cause great harm to their countries. Israel will always be protected by USA in all the confrontations and the Arab States are wise enough to understand and avoid such confrontation. However Terrorist actions and Palestine conflict would continue for some more time and these have to be tackled. A more humane solution to Palestine conflict is necessary towards which all world powers should make efforts. With recent conflict, Israel has become wiser against the rocket attacks from neighboring countries and would make all preparations against such future attacks. Probably they would employ systems that would track down all enemy missiles in flight and shoot them down in flight before they reach Israel. No sane country would undertake nuclear attack on Israel that would invite complete destruction of the attacking country at the hands of Western powers and Israel. This also would result in inevitable re-occupation of Middle East by Western powers for preserving peace in the world as recommended by J B Kelly , former Professor from Wisconsin University and one time advisor to Sheikh Zayid of Abu Dhabi (12). A single nuclear bomb can not destroy Israel. But this would cause occupation of entire Middle East by western powers the next day. This has to be remembered by the insane promoters of terrorism and seekers of destruction of Jewish State in Middle East. May God bless them with some stability, wisdom and sanity?

Bibliography.

1. Christopher Dickey, Kevin Peraino and Babak Dehghan, The hand that feeds the terror, Newsweek, ISSN 00028-9604 Volume CXVIII no 4, July 24, 2006, PP 28

2. Seema Mustafa. Middle East of the new. Deccan Chronicle, Hyderabd, AP, India, Date August, 19, 2006, PP 6

3. Prof Dr Colonel (Retired) K Prabhakar Rao, Middle East the ever boiling cauldron with hatred to West, www. faithCommons.org, dated 23 Oct 2006,

4. Prof Dr Colonel (Retired) K Prabhakar Rao, Nuclear Threat and Israel, www.faithCommons.org, Dated October 25, 2006

5. Mark Hosenaball, How close is Iran to having Nuclear Weapon, News week, ISSN 00028-9604, Volume CXVIII, No, 13, Sept 25, 2006, PP 66.

6. Bob Woodward, Plan of attack, Simon Schuster, 1230 Avenue of Americas, New York, USA, 2004, ISBN 0-7432-5547-X, PP 87-88

7. Siraj Wahab, Meccan pact heralds Shia –Sunni amity, Deccan Chronicle, Hyderabd, AP, India, Date October, 23, 2006, PP 1

8. Seema Mustafa, The return of Taliban, Deccan Chronicle, Hyderabad, AP, India, Date May, 2, 2006, PP 9

9. M K Bhndarkar, Taliban is a political reality. Deccan Chronicle, Hyderabad, AP, India, Date May 2, 2006, PP 9

10. Ramesh Ramachandran, Indians have little or no support. Deccan Chronicle, Hyderabad, AP, India Date May 2, 2006. PP 9

11. Seema Mustafa, India worried over rise of Taliban, Deccan Chronicle, Hyderabad, AP, India, Dated October 8, 2006, and PP3

12, Edward Said, Covering Islam, Vintage Books, New York, USA, 1997, ISBN-0-394078808-5

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