The Written Word
for September 19, 2001

There can scarcely be a dispute in this world that comes close to that of Israel and the Palestinians – not even, dare I say it, the dispute in Ireland.

The Palestinian version, roughly, has it that the British, in 1946 and 7, out of sympathy with the Jews who had survived Hitler, allowed so many in that they took the place over.

The Jews argue that Israel had always belonged to the Jews and that they were simply coming home. Many, and not necessarily just those who support the Palestinians, ask how it was in 1920 that Lord Balfour could commit to the Jews land Britain didn’t own and how it was Britain permitted so many Jews in, that a state of Israel could be formed.

For the outsider, that’s probably the most difficult case to meet. How could Great Britain give away someone else’s land?

As always, one must look at the matter in the context of the time. In 1920 Palestine, encompassing the area occupied by Israelis and Palestinians today, and then some, was a hangover from the Ottoman Empire that had crumbled and only needed the little nudge given it in the First World War. It hadn’t been its own country for a millennium, if ever, and thus was entrusted to Britain by the League of Nations as a "mandate". At that time it would never have occurred to anyone, not even the most bleeding heart liberal, that this scrub grass and desert ought to be given any sort of independence. Again, remembering the context of the times, this seemed a perfect place to give to the Jews and thus shut up the Zionists who were becoming a gigantic pain in the butt to the then still very strong and imperial Britain.

None of this is by way of justifying what happened – in 21^st century terms it was not justifiable. But in middle 20^th century terms it made all the sense in the world.

There is no doubt that Zionists, after the 2^nd World War worked their butts off to create a Jewish fait accompli in the Palestine Mandate by adding as many Jewish refugees to the existing Jewish population as they could. And the Zionists were often terrorists doing the terrible things that terrorists do.

If one were using contemporary standards to judge how the Palestine Mandate should have been dealt with in 1947 it might well have meant the expulsion of all Jewish immigrants, though quite to where is a difficult question.

The Jews, now Israelis, were dogged and brave in setting up their own country and, through several wars, expanding its borders considerably.

Great wrongs were done. Almost two generations of Palestinians have grown up in refugee camps. There has been terrorism – initially Jewish later mostly Palestinian. Wars have been fought and atrocities committed. But there is, as the saying goes, a bottom line. Israel exists and Palestine does not, except in the minds of Palestinians. And a modus vivendi must be found.

It has been well said that the Arabs can afford to lose an endless number of wars but the Israelis can’t afford one loss.

If this were just a dispute over a small area by relatively small populations the world could afford to sit back and let the parties duke it out. But it’s a big dispute. Jews around the world will pay any price that Israel be safe and prosper. Islam all over the world thinks Israel should be driven back into the sea and the symbolism of an Israel alive and dominating is anaethema. Israel is heavily supported by the United States which means that she has become Satan incarnate to many Muslims. The United States, in spite of all efforts to make itself self sufficient in oil, relies heavily on the Middle East for petroleum supplies. The region is, then, probably the tinderbox to ignite a big war unless changes are made. Even if there are material changes and some sort of settlement is reached, the area will, for as far ahead as one can see, be a beacon of hope for Jews the world over and the red flag to the bull for Arabs. As for the United States, it simply cannot play Pontius Pilate and wash its hands of the entire mess. It is Israel’s banker and chief defence asset while at the same time it relies on if not good will, at least a minimum of ill will, from her neighbours. As such she must sort things out.

Soon.