Today, the so-called hapless Palestinians are quite upbeat in their struggle towards full statehood as against their earlier much agonising defeats at the hands of Israel, which has, over the years, forcefully occupied the vast area of Palestinian land. Consequently perhaps, emboldened by their victory over Israel in the just ended confrontation, the Hamas chief-in-exile, Khaled Meshaal paid his first ever visit to Gaza on the just preceding Friday which proved to be a significant morale booster for the Gazians, though few among them were not so inspired and wanted his early departure.
This is the first time that I am coming to Palestine in 37 years, said Mr. Meshaal who is originally from a village in the West Bank but went into exile with his family after the 1967 West Asia war. Again, he said to reporters that, This is my third birth, signifying the opportune moment of celebrations in Gaza on the eve of 25th anniversary celebrations of the powerful Islamist movement. As he has now departed from Gaza with a firm commitment- not to accept the Israeli claim on Palestinian land- the on-going Palestinian movement for securing their homeland has found the much needed, fresh and renewed focus all over the world, perhaps, as a mark of genuine and reasonable success.
Despite all his emotional gestures, as he kissed the ground in Gaza upon this high profile visit and said to die as martyr on this pious land that he prays to the God, he must have had the much timely agenda to provide a forceful thrust to the Palestinian liberation movement against Israel, so that it may become a full-fledged nation-state in the comity of nations at the earliest. And also, he would like to secure his own future prospects towards projecting and establishing himself as an undisputed leader of Palestinian cause in a yet to be fulfilled vacuum of the charismatic and revolutionary leadership like that of Late Yasser Arafat. This is why, Meshaals visit was so-timed as to coincide with the anniversary celebrations and also to interact with different Palestinian factions in an urgently required bid to forge a strong bond of unity cutting across all sections of the diverse Palestinian society. Also to boldly express Hamass ever-fiery, never ending and never yielding spirit, Meshaal strictly warned Israel against its misadventures against Palestine, because Hamas, over the years, has become quite powerful to realise its avenge as was clearly seen in the retaliatory power of its army during the recently concluded November deadly battle with Israel, in which, contrary to its earlier practices, it(Israel) was forced to concede to the ceasefire to be observed by the United Nations. Although an important in the region, the leader of Islamic Jihad, Ramadan Shallah was also expected to attend the Hamas leaders morale booster trip but he could not participate here, more likely, due to Israels objections, yet the changed voice of Israel was clearly noticed when it tried to salvage its image before the world by declaring that there was no blockade on Gaza. This visit by Meshaal, which follows that of the Oatari emir and the Egyptyian Prime Minister and other officials proves, there is no Israeli blockade on Gaza, said Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor.
Although the Meshaals visit in Gaza is now over, yet it should be supported with full vigour and vitality by all conscience seeking nations. As regards India; since the very beginning, India has always maintained its principled stand of support to the Palestinian cause, despite all Israeli intransigence in the Arab-Israel dispute. And that it must carry on till its final conclusion, as the time is quite ripe due to changing American attitude towards Israel. Perhaps, all these have brought some positive signs towards realising the long-held dream by Palestinians of their own home land, free from illegal Israeli occupation, as the United Nations is already seized with the matter.
Author is an Associate Professor, Political Science, M. D. P. G. College, PRATAPGARH (UP), INDIA
Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now
Be Part of Quality Journalism |
Quality journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce and despite all the hardships we still do it. Our reporters and editors are working overtime in Kashmir and beyond to cover what you care about, break big stories, and expose injustices that can change lives. Today more people are reading Kashmir Observer than ever, but only a handful are paying while advertising revenues are falling fast. |
| ACT NOW |
| MONTHLY | Rs 100 |  |
| YEARLY | Rs 1000 | |
| LIFETIME | Rs 10000 | |
