The barrage of rocket attacks by Islamic Jihadi radicalized militant organization Hamas over the state of Israel and the swift response by Israel by launching rocket & air strikes over Gaza Strip has resulted in death of around 250 people on both sides in the ensuing war. The conflict concluded with Israel President Benjamin Netanyahu accepted plea appeals of international community for immediately implementing ceasefire in the seven decade old conflict.
The Jewish Nation of Israel came into existence on May 14, 1948 after United Nations recognized the Jewish state. The nation was established on the growing sentiments of anti-Semitism that led to persecution & murder of Jews commmitted on an unimaginable scale. The Holocaust & genocide of six million Jews by Nazi Germany neccesiated the need of Jewish state and the exodus of Jews to state of Palestine led to establishment of State of Israel. The Israel parliament passed the “Law of Return” enabling all Jews to settle in the country and gain citizenship. The population of Israel surged to 2 million during decade and post 1967 war many Jews from Soviet Union applied for citizenship of Israel.
The State of Israel has been at war since its existence against the Arab World. They had successfully defended their state against armed Invasion and increased their control over Jerusalem and West Bank after the 1967 war. The State of Israel successfully restored access to the Western Wall, being the holiest site in the world for Jews in the heart of Jerusalem. Along with The Western Wall, the city boast coexistence to he Al-Aqsa mosque, the third holiest site in the world for Muslims & the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. In 2017 United States recognized Jerusalem as capital of Israel and announced relocation of -American embassy in Israel from Tel-Aviv to Jerusalem. What is termed as Israel illegal occupation by the Arab World and its affiliated media all over the world is actually bringing stability, peace in the region for coexsistence of Jews, Muslims & Arabs together. And the State of Israel is having an arrangement with PLO and have granted functional autonomy to administer the areas under their influence.
And taking the leaf out of State of Israel, the Indian Government under Narendra Modi on August 5th 2019 abrogated Article 370 and Article 35A and revoked the special privileges and entitlements of residents of the newly carved union teritory. These provisions were impediment for the progress and integrated the people of Kashmir with the rest of the country. The Special provision barred outsiders the right to buy and own land or apply for government jobs which was exclusively for residents who had inherited by permanent residency by descent. The provisions discouraged investment from MNC & Indian corporates to invest in the state.
The Indian Government later announced “Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Adaptation of State Laws) Order, 2020” which enabled anyone who has resided in J&K for 15 years or has studied in the territory for seven years, and appeared in either Class 10 or Class 12 examination, will get residency rights. They will then be eligible for various government jobs. The move is likely to benefit thousands of Hindu & Sikh refugees who were forced to leave the valley due to threat from non state actors sponsored by Pakistan Inter Service Intelligence with full knowledge of the military. And the resettlment & relocation of Kashmiri Pandits & residents in the state will provide atmosphere of mutual coexistence and dilute the propaganda campaign of Kashmiriyat, used by terrorist to disturb the peace and tranquility in the valley. The move by Indian Government will promote peace in the region and the fruits of economic progress & opportunities will herald a new development chapter in the valley.
The scars of the 1989 gruesome violence which led to forced exodus of around one million Kashmiri Pandits from their homeland. Like Jews Kashmiri Pandits have faced genocide and cultural extermination at the hands of militants. And the move of Indian Government under Narendra Modi will bring an end to long standing dispute in the valley by resettling the displaced Kashmiri Pandits. And disputes come to end by pragmatic decision. The signing of Abraham accord with multiple Arab states suggest that the Middle East with the exception of Turkey & Pakistan have accepted the rule of State of Israel over Jerusalem. The sense of realism has dawned in the valley that living in state of denial will not help them anymore. And they are accepting the previous government has been incompetent & corrupt. And in the new dispensation Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh will reap the fruits for trifurcation and development.
The peace proposal of two state theory in Palestine is never possibility as rabid elements in Hamas will never accept the existence of State of Israel. The control of East Jerusalem shall fall in hands of Israel with the weakening of Palestine leadership due to waning global support. And the Kashmir problem will be solved permanently only when India takes military action to reclaim Pakistan Occupied Kashmir and dismember the rogue state of Pakistan permanently. The world needs to understand that to protect the cultural identity of Jews & Kashmiri Pandits there needs to be greater assimilation and interaction between Arabs and Kashmiri Muslims respectively. And the record of human rights for ethnic minorities under Islamic nations is not encouraging.
Loved reading detailed analytical article “The Great Leap of Faith”by Israel & India in redressing of Palestine and Kashmir problem, written by Mr. Umesh Aggarwal. The author wonderfully & articulately addressed every issues nicely. Hopefully, we are heading for permanent solution of the problems & will get resolved in a year or two. For peace n development in these regions, problems prevailing needs to be resolved.