Peace Deal with Tel Aviv linked with UNO Plan

By Afshain Afzal

At the end of the day Israelis failed to shake the determination of Hamas movement for independent and sovereign Palestine. The Israeli intelligence self-engineered attacks on its own Israeli Defence Forces failed to attract international attention. Now human rights organizations and UN Secretary General barred everyone from using “anti-Semitism, anti-Muslim bigotry and hate speech of all kinds.” Israel and its allies are much perturbed as there is no escape route. It is about time to reach a peace agreement between the Palestinians and Israelis with a couple neighbours as guarantors. Now when the Israelis have dropped hundreds and thousands of tons of bombs on unarmed Palestinian Muslims, and martyred a number of Palestinian men, women, and children, injured many more while thousands become homeless, it is time to carry out accountability. The bottom line is the implementation of UNO Partition Plan dated 29 November 1947, with Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine and access to the Mediterranean Sea in letter and spirit, where the UN General Assembly adopted the Plan as Resolution 181 (II), and carry out trials of war crime for the genocide of Orthodox Muslims by Israel. Hamas is still in control Gaza and has planned negotiations for the release of 340 Israeli personnel who attempted to carry out house-to-house search and were arrested. These are in addition to those captured on 7 October 2023.

If we recall, on 9 October 2023, Israel's military troops took full control of Hamas-ruled communities along the border with Gaza. Israel's Defence Minister earlier is said to have ordered to carryout "complete siege" of Gaza. In a separate statement by Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, claimed that the Israel Defense Forces carried out a combing operation and house-to-house search and was in the control of Gaza on 8 October. Israeli authorities claim that Hamas kidnapped and made hostage over 100 Israelis including women and children which they took along to Gaza while Islamic Jihad is holding more than 30 of the captives. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant threatens, "The price the Gaza Strip will pay will be a very heavy one that will change reality for generations."

Interestingly, as Islamic law provides that women and children can neither be arrested nor harmed; Hamas released women and children and also aired the video to provide evidence of their act. Many media channels released footage and statements that clarified, “Hamas was not the possession of any women and children”. Demographic engineering is taking place in Palestine, especially in Jerusalem and Gaza. This genocide is targeted at those holding ideologies of Hamas Islamic Jihad and Muslim Brotherhood. The forced eviction of Palestinians from their homes and target killing of entire leadership is to bring socio-political change. Palestinians under Israeli occupation continue to be forced out of their homes and evicted from their land and properties on the basis of discriminatory laws in violation of international law. It is the time that UNO should play its role rather than allow partners in war crimes to negotiate and play new blood and fire games.

By Afshain Afzal

Nothing is secret anymore as the Israeli latest doctrine presented by former Chief of the Israeli General Staff Lieutenant General Aviv Kohavi (GAK Doctrine) is public and was tested in September – October 2023. In the past Israeli Armed Forces used to spend 72 percent of available resources in defending against enemy rockets, missiles, and drones to destroy them before they are launched while only 28 percent was spent on offensive capabilities. The new doctrine aimed to shorten the duration of wars and achieve decisive victories to the advantage of Israeli forces. There is also role of the allies and partners as well as the United Nations Organization and International Organizations and media. The 25 September attack on armed forces of Bahrain serving as part of the Arab Coalition at the southern border of Saudi Arabia, the 5^th October attack in Syria on Syrian Armed Forces and the 7 October attack on Israel and ongoing affairs in Palestine, are on ground testing and implementation of GAK Doctrine.

The GAK Doctrine provides space for the Armed Forces to “negotiate and carry out diplomacy”, which Israel's Chief, Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi is carrying out without the knowledge of the Knesset. In fact, due to GAK Doctrine the Israeli political system is likely to collapse and democracy would come to an end. If not exactly collapsing, the 7 October Israeli attacks on its own Armed Forces are quickly moving Tel Aviv towards that direction. In the latest development, the Israeli military has double-crossed its political leadership. Negotiation and diplomacy with the Palestinians fall outside Israeli military’s purview as it is reserved for the political leaders and diplomatic envoys at the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Today, Israel Defence Forces Planning Directorate is undertaking coordination and negotiations. Post 2020 Abraham Accords instead of peace efforts, legal targeting of Muslims has started.

The doctrine focuses of propaganda units in the forefront with integrated cyber attacks and default electronic warfare operations of maneuver forces. This is in addition to equipping frontline units with thousands of drones, advanced anti-tank missiles, and precision-guided weapons. The plan envisioned high-tech upgrades to the barrier along the border with Gaza. And it included policy changes regarding the advanced Iron Dome missile defense system and enhancements to help deal with shorter-range rockets and mortars. Israel has established its military might to defuse threats of Iran, including its nuclear program, Tehran’s attempts to establish military assets in Syria, and its assistance to and training of Hezbollah and other armed factions. The Israeli propaganda units launch cyber attacks and wage electronic warfare operations to develop general consensus that beside assisting to and training Hezbollah, Iran is also supporting Hamas, and Islamic Jihad. Hence, the peaceful struggle for independence by Hamas, Islamic Jihad and other Palestinian groups would be linked with terrorism.

To kill two birds with one stone is an idiom but has become old-fashioned and outdated after the introduction of “GAK Doctrine,” an Israeli invention to eliminate whole generations of enemies and rivals in the shortest possible time. It is on record that there was always mass black propaganda against Hamas and Islamic Jihad by western, Indian and Middle Eastern think tanks and media outlets. For instance, The American Jewish Committee writes in “Five Things to Know About Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Escalation in Gaza,” dated 6 August 2022 that Hamas and Islamic Jihad are largely funded by Iran, continue to build capabilities, including an offensive and defensive underground infrastructure for future confrontation. Similar views have been expressed by The Wilson Center in an article titled, “Iran, Hamas & Palestinian Islamic Jihad” dated 21 May 2021.

We all know that Iran was always the strongest ally of West, especially the US, while Palestinian organizations Hamas and Islamic Jihad had no connection with Iran but till the time sanctions remained imposed on Tehran, funding and arming of these groups by Iran was officially authenticated but now US and other Intelligence agencies. The question arises why now these agencies are delinking Iran with Hamas and Islamic Jihad. No one can deny that they are international refugees and need to be treated so. They have been made homeless and living miserable lives in shelters in Gaza and all around the world. However, the UNO and other organizations are dancing to the tunes of funding from aggressors. No doubt, the very survival of these organizations is on the funding from aggressors claiming themselves as advanced and civilized nations but in such a case where marginalized and weak segments can seek justice to attain their legitimate rights? No matter what United Nations and International organizations must end genocide of Palestinians as well as others including inside Africa and Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir, where Israelis too are implementing this doctrine.

By Afshain Afzal

Much of the drama has unfolded; in the latest move, the Israeli Knesset (Parliament) has not approved the declaration of war on Palestine, announced by the Israeli Cabinet on 7 October. One wonders if such was the case why such a drama of International level was to be stages? Probably, the article by The Orient News, “Behind the 7^th October Attack on Israel?” has exposed Tel Aviv’s horrifying plot against the Palestinians. In this drama, Qatar is playing the same role, which it played in Afghanistan by assembling surrendered fighters and posing as Taliban and in the present case surrendered Palestinian fighters as representatives of Palestinians and Hamas to negotiate release of Israeli hostages.

It is strange that soon after the claimed attacks by the Palestinians’ Hamas, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked mayors of border towns to "stand steadfast because we are going to change the Middle East". On night 7/8 October 2023, Israeli warplanes, helicopters, guided drones carried out attacks on more that 610 pre-designated targets in Gaza. Israeli Ministry of Defence reported targeting of Hamas’ eight Command & Control Centres, multi-story buildings having Hamas offices and private homes and long tunnels built to malign Palestinians for their involvement in terrorism. In couple of hours there was complete blockage of Gaza.

On 9 October 2023, Israel's military troops took full control of Hamas-ruled communities along the border with Gaza. Israel's Defence Minister earlier is said to have ordered to carryout "complete siege" of Gaza. In a separate statement by Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, claimed that the Israel Defense Forces carried out combing operation and house-to-house search and was in the control of Gaza on 8 October. Israeli authorities claim that Hamas kidnapped and made hostage over 100 Israelis including women and children which they took along to Gaza while Islamic Jihad is holding more than 30 of the captives. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant threatens, "The price the Gaza Strip will pay will be a very heavy one that will change reality for generations."

It is quite disturbing that Israeli TV channels is reporting that the death toll inside Israel exceeds 700 and around 2,400 people have been wounded. Same was reported by Haartez and CNBC. But international media has hardly shown any glimpse to authenticate what is being reported, as if nothing or very little has happened. Seen of mass killings and dead bodies taken to the hospitals are totally missing. Probably the western their Journalism is confined to Islamic countries. On 8 October 2023, Reuters reported, Islamist group Hamas killed 700 Israelis and abducted dozens more while in response, Israeli air strikes hit housing blocks, tunnels, a mosque and homes of Hamas officials in Gaza, killing more than 400 people, including 20 children. Other news agencies including: BBC, CNN, AP, ABC, Aljazeera and numerous news channels did not cover either the Israeli causalities.

To authenticate the drama of attack by Hamas on Israel killing several hundred of its soldiers and kidnapping women and children to pose them as terrorist and inhuman, London reported that 10 British citizens are feared dead or missing in Israel while a White House National Security Council spokesperson confirmed several American national were killed. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group to the eastern Mediterranean as a show of support to Israel. Washington has warned the other nations not to get involved in the Israeli-Palestinian recent skirmishes.

In a swift move, the UN appealed for the creation of humanitarian corridors to bring food into Gaza and said at least 70,000 Palestinians in Gaza are seeking shelter in schools it runs. Other sources said that the displaced Palestinian numbered over 120,000. Meanwhile, the United Nations and International INGOs have started moving in schools and other building to give humanitarian aid and health facilities to the Palestinians. One of the Indian Air force Aircraft C17 has taken off with 58 MT of emergency humanitarian aid, including crucial medical and food supplies for the Palestinians. No doubt, it is a drama in real life as part plot against ingenious Palestinians to be deprived of their homes and holy religious places by keeping them on refugees’ status for generations while carrying out genocide of selected communities.

Tel Aviv initially claimed 100 killed but cannot prove more than 26 dead including 10 military officers. It is time that the United Nations Organizations must detail a fact finding mission to find of truth in large scale attack by Hamas, killing of 1200 Israelis and serious injuries to over 3000 and similar in Gaza. UNO and International Human Rights organization must visit Israel to investigate the existing on ground evidences of loss to human lives and property as well as if genocide of orthodox Muslims like Hamas is really taking place. More so, Indo-Israeli nexus and the fact whether large scale Indian nationals settlements in Israel and Gaza etc is taking place, whether New Delhi transported rockets, missiles and other weapons from another country to Lebanon and in Gaza and role of Indian Embassy Beirut, Lebanon in it.  

By Afshain Afzal

Israeli Shin Bet and Mossad planned extremely well and attacked its own Defense Forces and their asets. It seems a replay of James Bond movie where Hamas cut holes in the border wire and entered Israel from the sea, and by para-gliders and killed over 100 Israelis and also took along Israeli soldiers and civilians as hostages to Gaza. These armed Palestinian gunmen were able to cross the heavily fortified border between Israel and the Gaza Strip, while thousands of rockets were fired from Gaza into Israel. Israeli Defence Forces have confirmed that Israeli soldiers and civilians have been kidnapped and taken as hostages to Gaza. Interestingly, despite smart barrier technology and hi-tech fence tops, manned by thousands of cameras and sensors, Palestinians were able to enter Israel and carry out an unprecedented attack, which Americans failed to do in Bay of Pigs or operations in Afghanistan.

In another act of violence, few days back on 5 October 2023, 89 people had been killed, including 31 women and five children, with 277 other people wounded in a drone attack during the graduation ceremony for military officers in Syria. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Many years ago, at a mourning ceremony of an Iranian officer killed in Syria, where both Saudi and Iranian have their proxies Iranian General Qasim Soleimani referring to t Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman said, “He is very impatient and might kill his king and backing the backing by Saudis of rebel factions in Syria is only to undermine Iran's influence”.

In fact, the situation became tense after end September this year when the Israeli forces in preparations of Rosh Hashanah Jewish holiday, imposed a blockade, preventing thousands of workers from getting to their jobs in Israel and the West Bank. The closure was extended led to border demonstrations in which Israeli troops opened fire on stone-throwing protesters. The protesters claimed that they were in possession of permits from Israeli authorities to work outside the blockaded enclave then why restrictions were imposed on them. Israeli authorities have reportedly issued permits to over 18,000 Palestinians from Gaza. But full full-fledged attack was not the work of the Palestinians of Gaza and plot against them by their enemies.

Message from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, “The Secretary-General condemns in the strongest terms this morning’s attack by Hamas against Israeli towns near the Gaza Strip and central Israel, including the firing of thousands of rockets toward Israeli population centers… He stresses that violence cannot provide a solution to the conflict, and that only through negotiation leading to a two-state solution can peace be achieved. He said, “Civilians must be respected and protected in accordance with international humanitarian law at all times” Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Affairs Ministry issued a statement, in which it did not name and faction and used words, “unprecedented situation between a number of Palestinian factions and the Israeli occupation forces, which has resulted in a high level of violence taking place on a number of fronts there,” but Iranian Foreign Ministry said, “hailed the perseverance and sacrifices of the Palestinian resistance and people, especially in Gaza, in the face of atrocious attacks by the Zionist Israeli regime.”

If we recall, addressing the 78th UN General Assembly, Prime Minister Netanyahu warned that Iran’s leaders would “do every they can to thwart this historic peace” between Israel and Saudi Arabia” But surprising instead of Hizbullah, Hamas is being targeted by Israelis and all the attacks are on the either Hamas or the Sunni population of the Gaza. It seems that it is a planned attempt of genocide of a specific community, which UN and international human right organizations must look into it. Analysts say that Iran has launched the proxy to divert the attention of attempt of regime change, which Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu also pointed out, “We should support the brave women and men of Iran who despise this regime and yearn for freedom… It is the people of Iran, not their oppressors, who are our real partners for a better future”.

Israel conducted air attacks through guided drones at three compounds belonging to Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip, while a tanks were witnessed some of the buildings. Aerial bombing and firing was reported on the on the protesters along the separation fence. It was reported by the Palestinians that Israelis used drones that in swift actions appeared overhead in few minutes, dropping stun grenades and tear gas canisters on the populated area to create fear and chaos. No doubt, it is aimed at punishing Palestinians and bringing demographic change in the Gaza strip, which will be part of an independent Palestine State. The State sponsor terrorism and drama to build consensus against Hamas has been exposed but Israeli terrorism against own people through agencies and other stakeholder must not derail peace efforts in the Middle East, especially Statehood to the Palestinians.

By Afshain Afzal

In the latest development, Indian External Affairs Ministry has taken over compound of Afghan Embassy in New Delhi while at least five Afghan diplomats including Afghan Ambassador Farid Mamundje have fled away. India refused to allow the new Ambassador to take over. In the letter by fleeing Ambassador, Mamundzay, he instructed Indian Ministry of External Affairs to take custodial responsibility of the mission properties, financial accounts including the lndia Afghanistan Fund, which currently holds more than $500,000. It we recall, in June 2022, New Delhi operationalized its Embassy at Kabul and stationed its diplomats and security personnel there.

Farid Mamundje was quoted to have disclosed that Washington has not allowed them to hand over the charge of Afghan Embassy to newly appointed Charge d’Affaires. He also disclosed movements of Indian nationals from India to UAE and other stations from where Intelligence operations are carried out in Afghanistan and Pakistan have been exposed after Mastung terrorism. He added that he has ensured that the record of Indian agents is not taken over by the Talilban. Furnishing the reasons of fleeing and taking asylum, he said, “sniff dogs on the payroll have started taking actions on their masters’ dictates”.

The situation took a worse turn when New Delhi refused to honour the new diplomats from taking over the charge, claiming that they have not recognized the Taliban Government. After the Mastung terrorist attack in Pakistani city of Balochistan by Indian agencies, Kabul diplomats in hand and glove with the Indians have been exposed. Presently, Afghan Embassy has stopped all operations after the Afghan Ambassador and other senior diplomats fled to United States to seek asylum there. Reports reaching Kabul also reflect that they also extended applications for asylum in European Union. The Indian Ambassador for Afghanistan, Rudrendra Tandon disclosed that Afghan the prevailing Afghan Ambassador to India was appointed by the previous Afghan government and recently Taliban has decided to replace him with another diplomat as Charge d’Affaires.

Interim Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti said in statement, “the Indian intelligence agency, Research and Analysis Wing, is involved in carrying out terror incidents in Pakistan. We know who is doing it and from where." For the first time after many years of the gap, Pakistani media, both print and electronic have directly blamed India and its agents as functionaries in Pakistan for terrorist attacks including recent terrorism in Mastung and Hangu inside Pakistan. Further reports are being analyzed.

MASTUNG, 29 SEPTEMBER 2023 (TON): Terrorist attack in Mastung killed over 69 Baloch Muslims and injured many others. Islamabad was receiving threats from Indian military for surgical attacks, especially acts that would destabilize Balochistan. It is being claimed that the suicide bomber blew himself up in the religious procession at Al Falah Road. No group has so far accepted the responsibility. Meanwhile, the spokesperson of the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Naseer Kanani on strongly condemned Mustang terrorist attack. Meanwhile, there was also attack at Hangu Police station to divert the attention and give colour of sectarian violence.

Reportedly, Indian spies Mohammad Hasnain and Ishaq Ameer who illegally entered Pakistan through the Pak-Afghan border in a bid to seek asylum a few days back, were terrorists behind the in Eid Milad-un-Nabi. It has been reported that they were in UAE from where they entered Afghanistan and later illegally entered Pakistan.

A day earlier, US Deputy Chief of Mission Andrew Schofer visited Peshawar to reaffirm the US commitment to border security and continued support for Pakistan in its fight against cross-border infiltration and militancy in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He met the Inspector General of Frontier Corps and announced a new $250,000 program to enhance the Frontier Corps’ nighttime operational capabilities. He also met Inspector General of Police Akhtar Hayat and delivered $350,000 worth of safety and security equipment to enhance the safety and effectiveness of police forces conducting perilous counter-terrorism operations. US is trying to support religious freedom, tolerance, and respect for all of Pakistan’s faith traditions, in which Churches and Cathedrals are going to play a prominent place.

MASTUNG: 29 SEPTEMBER 2023 (TON) - Terrorist attack in Mastung killed over 69 Baloch Muslims and injured many others. Islamabad was receiving threats from the Indian military for surgical attacks, especially acts that would destabilize Balochistan. It is being claimed that the suicide bomber blew himself up in the religious procession at Al Falah Road. No group has so far accepted the responsibility. The spokesperson of the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Naseer Kanani strongly condemned Mustang terrorist attack. Meanwhile, there was also an attack at Hangu Police Station to divert the attention and give colour of sectarian violence.

Reportedly, Indian spies Mohammad Hasnain and Ishaq Ameer who illegally entered Pakistan through the Pak-Afghan border in a bid to seek asylum a few days back, were terrorists behind the in Eid Milad-un-Nabi. It has been reported that they were in UAE from where they entered Afghanistan and later illegally entered Pakistan.

A day earlier, US Deputy Chief of Mission Andrew Schofer visited Peshawar to reaffirm the US commitment to border security and continued support for Pakistan in its fight against cross-border infiltration and militancy in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He met the Inspector General of Frontier Corps and announced a new $250,000 program to enhance the Frontier Corps’ nighttime operational capabilities. He also met Inspector General of Police Akhtar Hayat and delivered $350,000 worth of safety and security equipment to enhance the safety and effectiveness of police forces conducting perilous counter-terrorism operations. US is trying to support religious freedom, tolerance, and respect for all of Pakistan’s faith traditions, in which Churches and Cathedrals are going to play a prominent place.

By Afshain Afzal

In the recent past, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Joseph Biden discussed the prospect of an agreement with Arab states including Israeli-Saudi Arabia normalization of relations. This was to be followed by Washington inaugurating Embassy at Jerusalem and Tel Aviv declaration Jerusalem as its capital. As a trailer for the peace effort and normalization, Nayef Bin Bandar Al-Sudairi, Saudi Arabia's newly appointed ambassador to the Palestinian Authority, visited West Bank on 25 September 2023. He met President Mahmoud Abbas in Israeli occupied city of Ramallah on 26 September and also visited the sacred Al Masjid Al Aqsa. It seems if all is OK but nothing is well.

As a part of Saudi-Israel normalization efforts, Nayef Bin Bandar Al-Sudairi, meeting with Palestinian authorities including Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Saudi Arabia planning to open a consulate in Palestine in East Jerusalem is just a show off and nothing more than part of US Elections campaign The two-day visit of Nayef bin Bandar Al-Sudairi, raises a lot of questions. There are also questions over An India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC), which is intended to boost Saudi-Israel normalization. The Arab refugees from West Jerusalem and elsewhere in Israeli-occupied territories demand repatriation and compensation from United Nations Organizations. Are they not humans and deserve refugee’s rights, being witness of Israeli atrocities?

US Congress had nothing to say about progress on normalisation of relations between the Saudi Arabia and Israel by November presidential ballot. However, Washington has adopted new tactics to pressurize Saudi Arabia through renewed attacks by Houthi elements being funded and armed by the US and Iran. State Department issued a statement, “We strongly condemn the September 25th attack carried out by Houthi elements on the Saudi-Yemeni border that killed two Bahraini service members and injured many others. Washington has sent a special representative to Bahrain to chalk out a strategy if Houthi carryout increased attacks including withdrawal.

Meanwhile in a Press briefing on 26 September 2023, US Department of State's Spokesperson Matthew Miller said, “we have heard in our engagements with the Palestinians, and that we have communicated on their behalf to our Israeli counterparts, is that there will have to be a significant Palestinian component of any final agreement.” In the same briefing, Matthew Miller openly hinted about high-level talks with Iran including nuclear issues.

Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi arrived in New York as Iran and the US each freed five prisoners who were in jails for years on 25 September. The US also allowed the release of nearly $ 6 billion in Iranian frozen assets in South Korea for humanitarian use. Washington, in facts, plans to develop very close relations with Tehran that existed during Pahlavi Dynasty to use them to destabilize Asia and keep Arabs on their toe. Iran should not be happy with these developments, as there are plans for regime change too.

The Western nations and Israel have set the bottom line of any negotiations to interim independence with territory marked as Palestine with a capital of East Jerusalem. This was also the demand in many Resolutions by the Muslim countries but are we doing justice to the Palestinians. There is need of guarantees for the complete cessation of all acts of violence, including all acts of terrorism, provocation, incitement and destruction. In addition, the individual Palestinians, groups and have been declared as foreign terrorist organizations by the United Nations, the US and many other countries; their name must be removed and ban, terrorists and sanctions lifted before any negotiation starts.

There should be no ambiguity that Palestine should comprise of the Sinai Peninsula, West Bank, Jerusalem and Gaza Strip with strip of land linking Palestine with the Mediterranean Sea though the Gaza. Palestinians require an access to the Mediterranean Sea, which is their legal right under Article 38 (2) UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, allowing for ongoing navigation rights of access and egress to the Mediterranean Sea. Article 3 of the 1982 Convention states that every State has the right to establish the breadth of its territorial sea up to a limit not exceeding 12 nautical miles (nm), measured from the baselines as laid down in the Convention, and Article 4 provides that the outer limit of the territorial sea of each State is the line every point of which is at distance from the nearest point of the baseline equal to the breadth of the territorial sea.

Like resolutions for so many years in the past, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) passed a resolution in 2022, “There is no two-state solution without a sovereign and independent State of Palestine based on the pre‑1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital”. This year too, UNGA passed a similar resolution. Nevertheless, we cannot ignore West Jerusalem was part of Palestine and forcibly occupied by the Israelis while all Muslim population was evicted and made refugees in 1948, as per bogus counting Jerusalem had Jews in the majority. There is no doubt that there is no alternative to a two-state solution where Israel and Palestine can coexist peacefully, side-by-side, in line with internationally agreed parameters. But unless these side issues are resolved, neither Saudi-Israel normalization can be achieved nor peace cannot be restored in the Middle East in true sense.

By Afshain Afzal

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage was hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 3-12 September 2023 in Riyadh and the Al-Ahsa Oasis. 30 nations including Israel attended; focusing on the themes including; World Heritage & Climate Change, World Heritage and Sustainable Tourism, Diversity & Representation of World Heritage and The Digital Dimension of World Heritage. With regard to the Israeli delegation visiting Saudi Arabia many people are confused while carrying out an analysis of the prospects of restoration of Saudi-Israeli relations. It is not correct to believe that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ever said, “A deal was getting closer”. In fact, it is being confused with President Trumps’s Abraham Accords - 2020 for normalization accords between Israel and the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. In a recent statement, Israeli President Netanyahu seem too positive to strike a deal with Saudi Arabia but we must not forget Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’s statement, “Whoever thinks peace in the Middle East is possible before our people achieved their full right is delusional.”

If we recall, Israel submitted a declaration at the Secretariat of UNESCO on 31 January 2012, objecting notification of the accession of Palestine to the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage of 1972, on the grounds of accession contradicts Article II of the Constitution of UNESCO as well as the established norms and practices of International Law. On the same lines, the Saudi Kingdom must also register regarding occupied Arab territories and that the Israeli occupation authorities are under obligation to preserve the cultural and natural heritage existing in the occupied territories where Palestinian sovereignty should have existed and that the occupation authorities under paragraph 3 of Article 6 binds whether acceded to the Convention or not are internationally responsible for any attenuation of the cultural and natural heritage. In addition, Article 7 binds the Member States to exert all possible aid to the State whose part of its territories is occupied for the sake of preserving the natural and cultural heritage in the occupied territories against the aggressions of the occupying authorities.

Just to remind, the International Law Commission has issued guidelines on how a State may invoke a reservation clause when signing, ratifying, formally confirming, approving or acceding to the treaty, whereby a State purports to exclude, modify the legal effects of certain provisions of the treaty. Since Saudi Arabia has not ratified many treaties and conventions, it high time to formulate policy that confirms the Saudi Islamic heritage and culture, the wisdom of the crown, and aspiration of the Muslims as well as confirms international law.

President Trumps’s Abraham Accords – 2020, which apparently is viewed as propagating and promoting interfaith and intercultural dialogue to advance a culture of peace among the three Abrahamic religions i.e. Judaism, Christianity and Islam and all humanity is not easy to comprehend. Abraham Accord talks about respect for human dignity and freedom, including religious freedom. At the same time the accord talks about ending radicalization and conflict to provide all children a better future. Pursuing a vision of peace, security, and prosperity in the Middle East and around the world, the Accord gives access to the people who disintegrated Afro-Asia into Africa and Asia and later confined Arabs to a political expression, “Middle East”. They are the one who deprived Palestinians of their ancestral lands. They are victimized because of their religion as Islam. One wonders who were Africans, Asians Palestinian and others before the coming of last prophet in the Divine series, Mohammad Alhe Salam, indeed, followers of the past Divine of Abrahim Alhe Salam and his followers.

When American leadership talks about a number of unidentified Federal agents in the files of 9/11 Commission and is looking for Saudi involvement, what its mean? When during election campaigns American leadership talks about Saudi Arabian intelligence involvement in 9/11 attacks, do this mean “a vision of peace, security, and prosperity in the Middle East and around the world,” according to Abraham Accord? There is, no doubt, that Washington seems too focused to see Abraham Accord to gain ground in the Middle East and elsewhere. The main aim of US, Israel and their allies is to establish Jerusalem as capital of Israel with Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights and declare Saudis and Palestinians as supporters of terrorism.

That is not all as they intend to gain access to Al Masjid Al Haram, the Holy Kaaba and deprive Muslims of the sacred Holy places as they did in Palestine by taking over Al Masjid Al Aqsa. There are also attempts to deprive Saudi Arabia from the Kingship and bring them to democracy; Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Muslims as Prime Minister is the first nail. Saudis should never forget what Almighty Allah has commanded then in Surah At Tawbah (9:8) “How ˹can they have a treaty˺? If they were to have the upper hand over you, they would have no respect for kinship or treaty. They only flatter you with their tongues, but their hearts are in denial, and most of them are rebellious”. And again in Surah At Tawbah (9:28) “O you who have believed, indeed the Mushriqeen (who believe in other than Allah) are unclean, so let them come near Al-Masjid Al-Ḥaram after this year. And if you fear embarrassment position, Allah will enrich you from His bounty if He wills. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Wise”. These limits, set upon all Muslims are part of our heritage and culture as well as religion. Beyond these limits let's work together on the basis of equality for greater peace in this world, protection of environment and climate change as well as preserve heritage and promote tourism. The author may be approached via email; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.