Israel

Salaams all,

Well this topic was bound to come up some time.    I'd just like to address
a few points.  The first is why isn't so much attention paid to Kashmir or
Kudristan...as there is to Palestine.  Well for one, its news.  Resistance
or terror is news and the killing of a Jew means so much more to people in
the main powers of the world such as the United States than some bomb blast
in Pakistan or some Kurds being killed.  Its on the map, its a big issue.
Jews were/are of the largest minority populations in the United states, and
they had a cause.  It's expected that issues that affect them mean more than
Rawandans or what not.

It is also essential to recognize the uniqueness of Israel's situation.
Generally speaking, the rest of the conflicts mentioned are if you will
run-o-the mill conflicts.  Kashmir is a disputed land between
India/Pakistan...just another land problem.  The kurds have always been
there...they're just treated very very poorly like the Aech in Indonesia or
what have you.  I'm not trying to downplay these issues, but they're pretty
standard fare around the world and in history.  The main thing these all
have in common is: They're against a neighbour they've always known.

The situation in Israel is virtually unparalleled.  If, as you say they are
maligned unfairly, they are surely treated unfairly in everyway...both good
and bad.  No other group of people would have been able to create a state on
land they haven't been the primary resistance on in 1000 years. The Native
Indians aren't taking back Toronto anytime, I can tell you that.  A group of
primarily European Jews decide to form the state of Israel long before WW2.
Their campaign begins and early settlers arrive.  Then WW2 hits, and as a
by-product of British colonialism, they formally declare the state of
Israel.    More and more foreign Jews immigrate there.  A sustained effort
to create a  state based on being Jewish on land occupied primarily by
another people who do not share the same culture, language...And these
people are supposed to accept their new rulers...yeah.  Sounds more like the
British and Dutch going to South Africa and declaring themselves the rulers.
While at the same time trying to create a white majority in the country.
And this sustained effort to maintain Jewish majority in the land continues
to day with the settlements and the belief that all Jews should end up in
Israel right now.  This combined with being allied with the worlds most
powerful nation, does create a rather unique situation.

What's interesting is that in both South Africa and Israel, the people as a
whole are far better off.  South Africa is one of Africa's economic engines.
And arab Israelis are decently well off financially.  Of course, all this
has nothing to do with the morality of apartheid or Israel.

We're all too familiar with the plight of Jews in WW2 and what not.  As I'm
sure we're all aware of other kinds of oppression...yet, these are
foreigners doing the oppression, not the neighbour/family.  I'm sure we also
know of the poor treatment of Palestinians by the other Arab countries, both
before and after Israel.

As to the morality of say "terrorism/resistance" versus the constant
persecution of the occupation.  Both are grave, but the Koran does offer an
interesting perspective in chapter 2 (this chapter deals extensively with
the correct use of force).

[2.190] And fight in the way of Allah with those who fight with you, and do
not exceed the limits, surely Allah does not love those who exceed the
limits.
[2.191] And kill them wherever you find them, and drive them out from whence
they drove you out, and persecution is severer than slaughter, and do not
fight with them at the Sacred Mosque until they fight with you in it, but if
they do fight you, then slay them; such is the recompense of the
unbelievers.
[2.192] But if they desist, then surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.

It's such a simple and direct passage.  This chapter also provides great
mini quotes for those who wish to portray Islam as violent by not quoting
entire section to provide perspective.  IT simply says that you can only
fight those who fight against you.  And you should stop fighting when they
stop fighting you.  The morality of the line comes in in 2.191 where it says
"persecution is severer than slaughter"  This line is repeated elsewhere in
the surah.

Yameen