The Unholy Land

 Drilona Bajrami 

Albert Camus once said,“There are causes worth dying for, but none worth killing for.” What happens when the Holy Land suddenly becomes unholy? What will happen to the people who look to this place as a safe place for them to take refuge and worship as they choose? Hearing about killings and violence is not something that you would think about when the Holy Land comes to mind. However, this is the reality in today’s society. The Holy Land suddenly became the ‘Unholy Land’ where people are scared to live because they fear being killed. It’s on the place in an uproar because of 2 opposing sides wanting the control of it. Israel and Palestine have made the once safe Holy Land, the Unholy Land full of guns and bombs at every corner.

(Source:http://shollymckaff.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/israel-palestine-land-map.jpg)

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is an issue that has been debated about for many years. It all started when Britain withdrew from Palestine and allowed for the creation of the Jewish State of Israel. This gave Palestine less land which created an uproar because they felt as their rights were being ignored. This was called the ‘Partition of Palestine’ and Jerusalem was then regarded as an international city owned by neither Israel or Palestine. This partition was not successful because neighboring Arab countries attacked Israel and gained control of most of the lands lost by Palestine during the partition in 1948-49. After this, Israel attacks back and regains more than fifty percent of extra land they didn't have when they had gained independence. In 1956, Egypt takes control of the Suez Canal. Fighting reaches its peak and a ceasefire is initiated with the help of the UN. Six Arab countries attack Israel in 1967 and the Six Day War begins. Israel defeats all these countries and gains back all the land they had lost in prior fights.  In 1979, Egypt and Israel sign a peace treaty that ends 30 years of year. Consequently, Egypt later gives control of Sinai back to Egypt which relieves some tensions between the two enemies. As the years continued, the fighting goes on to this day and tensions between these two groups of people only rises. However, in all the history of this conflict the opinion on the Palestinians were never asked. When discussing land and borders no one was bothered by the fact that Palestine did not agree with everything happening around them. Its the fight between a group of people who seeked refuge for a place they can live without discrimination for what they worship and another group of people who are now being forced to move out of their homes to make room for the other people who were seeking refuge. It’s a situation that needs a lot of work to mend because both parties have valid reasons for staying there and wanting to own the Holy Land.

(Source: http://storify.com/occpal/there-comes-a-rocket-from-gaza)

  Casualties between these groups of people are high. Palestinians and Israelis are all being murdered because of who they are and where they come from. Soldiers are ordered to go and kill innocent Palestinians (including children) and force them out of there homes. Recently,“87 Palestinian civilians were killed by Israel during the two-week Operation Pillar of Defense. In addition, 62 Palestinian casualties were combatants; the role of 11 others could not be determined” (JTA). This shows how many Palestinians are killed in just two weeks by the Israeli soldiers. These numbers are not as high for the Israelis. “At least 1,104 Israelis and 6,829 Palestinians have been killed since September 29, 2000”(IfAmericansKnew.org). These numbers are pretty big and show who has been deeply affected by the fighting. The numbers show that the Palestinians are the victims to most of the casualties because they do not have the necessary materials needed for the fights. Israel is equipped with tanks and weapons and trains their citizens to always be ready for war. In both sides, people have to live in fear because of the paranoia that they will be attacked that night. This is what people in Jerusalem have to live through everyday. People are scared that they are going to die because of their nationality. Sacred holy spots are being destroyed as a form of protest. This destruction only adds more fuel to the flame which does not help the situation at hand.

(Source: lailalife.wordpress.com)

Both sides have separate stories to be told. The Palestinians have been victims to guns and tanks surrounding them their whole life. They are now accustomed to not having enough water to clean themselves thoroughly and use water freely. They are used to having their whole village destroyed just so they can make room for more Israelis. These are all things a person should not be used to. They live in fear every day because they think that one day they will be pushed out of their house or just simply be killed. A Palestinian, Sami Al Jundi, recalls his experience in jail, “ This was not the first time that I had woken up to a gun pointed at me...” (97). No child or teenager should be accustomed to waking up with a gun pointed at their face. They live in fear each day that something will happen to them and no one is there to save them. However, the Israelis don't have it as easy either. They live under constant attack from surrounding Middle East countries over land. Their security is always on high alert for all attacks they may receive from other countries. An Israeli girl says, “I am a refugee myself...But my dreams don't involve pushing anyone to the sea. We are all human beings. We can find a way to live together” (235). Israelis just want a place where they can be safe and live as they please. Not every Israeli believes that moving all the Palestinians out is the right thing to do.

(Source: Orperhaps.blogspot.com)

We as students have to set an example and try to come up for solutions for this land that so desperately needs help. We need to not pick a side and just try to help negotiate peace in the future. America will soon be in our hands and we need to educate people about both sides of the story. We need to tell them how both groups of people are suffering from all the violence happening there. We can do simple things such as write blogs about it or maybe even write a letter to President Obama saying what our stand is in the issue. We can join peace organizations that are working for the common good for a peaceful Israel and Palestine where the people can live in harmony and peace. Honestly, the opportunities are endless.  

(Source:supportsanity.org)