A Reality
By Humayun Siddiqui
San Diego, CA

According to a news item in the New York Times of April 16, "Prime Minister Ehud Olmert of Israel and Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president, met in Jerusalem, resulting in some mixed messages regarding a resumption of their long-dormant peace efforts". Earlier on, during its last meeting, the Arab League had revived the offer of Israeli recognition under certain conditions.
I was in Jerusalem, after about a month of the ceasefire of the Lebanon war. It was an eye-opening and educative trip, especially as to how a country, which came into existence one year after Pakistan, was doing so well.
The highlight of my trip, apart from offering prayers at the Al Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock, was a day's visit to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), courtesy Mr. Gilad Millo.
Viewed in the light of the above news item, what I was told at the MFA sheds light on the Israeli policy-makers' thinking vis-a-vis the Palestinian problem.
Since childhood I was told the Jews cannot have a country of their own; this was the divine ordain!
I didn't know much about Judaism till I came across Max I. Dimont's "Jews, God and History". The book tells the 4,000-year story of the Jewish people, their trials and tribulations under different civilizations. Most of those civilizations do not exist now. Since 1948, however, the Jewish state – Israel -- does exist.
I wanted to see Israel first hand, feel its soul, and spirit. I thus contacted the Israeli Consulate General in Los Angeles’ Mr. Gilad, Consul for Media and Public Affairs, and Ms. Natan, Director Public Affairs. They were helpful and told me that being an American passport holder, I did not need a visa. Thus, I, a Pakistani-American Muslim freelance writer, visited Israel on my own.
I met men and women, young and old. I could sense in them pride, commitment and patriotism for their country. They know they have no place to go as their country is bordered by Arab countries - Lebanon in the north, Syria and Jordan in the east, and Egypt in the south-west; their only exit is the Mediterranean Sea in the West. Thus, they have to make or mar, do or die in this land, to which they have a religious and spiritual attachment and for which their ancestors had yearned for centuries.
I stayed in Jerusalem for seven days. I would not go into the details of the trip, which have already been published in Pakistan Link (Feb 23).
Perhaps, I was the first-ever Muslim free-lance writer to visit the Foreign Ministry and meet, one-to-one, with five senior officials -- the Directors of Economic Department III, Policy Planning & External Relations Department, Center for International Development Cooperation ((like the USAID), and the Head, Bureau of Middle East Affairs Center for Political Research.
They gave me an overview of their respective areas of operation. The Director of Economic Department III, on being asked, discussed what Israel could do to help Pakistan. The Head, Bureau of Middle East Affairs Center for Political Research, a career diplomat with about 20 years service, had served in Egypt and twice in the US. He talked about the Israeli-Arab issue. His job, along with about 25 analysts, is to analyze the world situation and make recommendations accordingly.
The high point of the meetings was a lunch-cum-discussion with the Director South and South East Asia and the Deputy Director, in the cafeteria of the MFA.
The meetings were quite open and frank. I was allowed to ask any question and also take notes. This is what I noted:
# The meeting at Turkey was not the first one. It was a step forward and was given media exposure.
# Israel desires to reach out to the Muslim world and would like to have better relations. These countries are very important. Israel recognizes moderate voices in the Muslim world.
# Israel is ready to compromise, does not want confrontation.
# In Israel, schools teach Arabic, Qur’anic ideas and the history of Islam objectively and students are taught that Muslims believe in Jewish and Christian prophets.
# Palestinian State (PS) - Israel has accepted the idea of a viable PS alongside Israel. Israel's security interests have to be safeguarded.
# Boundaries of Israel - open for discussion on closer to '67 borders with a buffer zone with restrictions on both sides; open borders, free trade.
# Israel has evacuated Gaza Strip and removed 15,000 Jews from there and is ready to evacuate more settlements.
# Lebanon War – it was a setback. But, now there is a strong UN force with a stronger mandate. Arab governments gave the message to go ahead and attack Hezbollah. (During my stay in Jerusalem, I read in newspapers that Officer Commanding Northern Command, Maj. Gen Udi Adam, had resigned and called for additional dismissals and resignations, including that of Chief of General Staff, Lt. Gen Dan Halutz.)
# Fences/Wall - motivated by security concerns and does not reflect final borders.
# Iran - we have better information. If Iran has a bomb, it is not only the issue of attacking Israel, but it will create an umbrella of Iran's influence in the Middle East - Jordan, Saudi Arabia.
#Demolition of Al-Aqsa - No intention whatsoever.
#Relations with India - relations have improved significantly since the establishment of diplomatic relations 15 years ago.

What Israel can do for Pakistan:
# Upgrading industry to compete in world markets.
# Building less expensive houses that can be assembled in days. (Aid was offered after the earthquake, but rejected). Israel has built a mosque in Turkey.
# Help in water management and agriculture, especially in seepage control, to avoid wastage of water.
Indisputably, since its inception Israel has been backed financially, politically, and morally by the United States. It is also said that Israel's existence depends on the US military help. May be so. But, in this context an adage may be relevant: "In a war, it is not the gun but the man behind the gun that matters".
Israel is a country no bigger than New Jersey with a population of over five million - Jews 80% and Arabs 20%. Arabs have learnt Hebrew and carry Israeli ID cards.
Israel is a democratic republic, has a parliamentary system with universal suffrage and a 120-member parliament (Knesset), in which seats are allocated to political parties on a proportional representation voting system. Elections are held every four years. Twelve parties are currently represented in Knesset.
Like the US, Israel can be called a country of immigrants. Aliya – 'ascent' in Hebrew – is the name used to refer to the immigration of Jews to Israel. All a Jew has to do is to land in Israel and proclaim himself a citizen.
One can find people of all colors and hues, from about 130 countries, the majority from North Africa, especially from Ethiopia, Europe and the former USSR. I also met a family from Karachi.
Israel is a reality. I could also sense that Israel wants to be recognized by the Muslim countries, including Pakistan. We are considered as the gateway to Muslim countries.
The process can start with a dialogue between Israel and Arab leaders. Its recognition by Muslim countries will allow the presence of their diplomatic missions.
In a speech about Israel at the Cornell University, New York, on Sept 27, 06, President Musharraf said: “We cannot do something that … isolates us from the Muslim world. This issue is extremely sensitive … and I would destabilize myself.” However, the President, added: “But ultimately we have to do it.”

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Editor: Akhtar M. Faruqui
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