Environmental Terrorism in Palestine

1. Significance of QIBLA

1.1 QIBLA is the direction towards which The Muslims pray to Almighty Allah (SWT). It is noteworthy that the mosque was the first building established on the Planet Earth by The Holy Prophet Adam (May Allah peace be upon him). It was rebuilt by The Holy Prophet Ibrahim (May Allah peace be upon him) known as Sacred Mosque (MASJID AL-HARAM) (The Holy Qur’an verse 3:96) The Holy K’ABA is the QIBLA for the Muslims being located in Sacred Mosque.

1.2 AL-QUDS AL-SHARIF was the QIBLA AWWAL prior to declaration of the new QIBLA according to (The Holy Qur’an verse 2:144). The Night Journey had been performed by The Holy Prophet ( Peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) between (MASJID AL-HARAM) and (AL-MASJID AL-AQSA) as the first step (The Holy Qur’an verse 17:1). The Holy Prophet ( Peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) led the prayer in the latter MASJID that had been attended by all the messengers/prophets of Almighty Allah (SWT).

2. The Holy Land of PALESTINE

2.1 Palestine is the Holy land of The Holy messengers/prophets of Almighty Allah (SWT). It is respected by Muslims, Christians and Jews alike and it has been mentioned in The Divine Books. Jerusalem had been and will remain the capital of Palestine. This sacred city houses the holiest places of the three IBRAHIMI religions (AL-MASJID AL-AQSA) is the third most sacred place for 1.9 billion Muslims of the world. In this context the Palestine issue is the concern of the entire Muslim UMMAH and not of Arabs only. The population of Palestine is 5 million.

3. Establishment of Zionist Israel

3.1 The Zionists had supported the western powers and earned the wrath of Nazi Hitler during World War-I. As they had no homeland they wanted to create a country for themselves. They succeeded in evicting Palestinians from their homeland and established the Israeli state on a black day in 1948. The Palestinians remember this day as day of DISASTER. Since then the native Palestinians are facing atrocities at the hands of Israelis. The Palestinians are helpless, weak and poor as their resources were snatched by the invaders. Great Britain, USA and other western nations have been strongly and openly supporting the Zionists to gain unlimited strength in the Middle East.

3.2 Two major wars were fought in 1967 and 1973. Consequently Egypt and Jordan have become allies the of Israel. The expansionist Israel has been troubling Palestinians in one form or the other. Similarly Arab countries like Syria and Iraq have been crushed. Israel is now pursuing hegemonic designs against Iran and Pakistan. It is providing military and nuclear technologies to India and supporting the India’s leader in Indian held Jammu and Kashmir. Israel controls much of the global economy and media and enjoys full and unconditional patronization of its Master Creators.

3.3 In 1956 the Suez Canal was nationalised by Egypt. Israel attacked Egypt with British and French forces.

3.4 Eastern Jerusalem was occupied by Israel in 1967. Palestinian Muslims have been living in this area since ages. According to Israeli law Israelis who had lost their property in Eastern Jerusalem were compensated, on the other hand Palestinian who had their property in Western Jerusalem were not given this right. In April 2021 Arab families residing in SHEIKH JARRAH were harassed by the extremist Jews who marched in the streets raising slogans like death to Arabs. They plan to replace Palestinians with Israeli settlers. Israeli troops also attacked Muslims offering prayers in (AL-MASJID AL-AQSA) and injured them.

3.5 Since 10 May 2021 Israeli air force has been bombarding the GAZA STRIP. this being the worst aerial attack by Israelis so far. GAZA STRIP is located on a 140 sq. km area with a population of 2 million.

3.6 Turkey, Egypt, UAE and Bahrain have recognised the state of Israel. The Camp David agreement was sponsored by USA between Israel and Egypt after 1973 war.

4. Environmental Terrorism in Retrospect

Generally environment comprises surroundings of an organism and internal situations such as metabolism, psychology, psychiatry, morality, faith & human virtues. The saga of environmental terrorism being committed by Zionist Israel in Palestine is explained:

4.1 Destruction of Physical Environment

4.1.1 Land Degradation

• Shrapnel, debris, thick smoke of gun powder, heavy metals from bombs and demolitions are destroying the land resources. The demolition materials of buildings is playing havoc with the habitats.
• Land is being diluted at a colossal rate. Arable land is made unproductive. Earth surface is shaken by air strike. Soil erosion is increasing rapidly.     

4.1.2  Water Pollution

• Both water supply and sewerage system are totally disrupted. Portable water is barely available. Most of pumping stations have been destroyed while streets give off offensive odour due to untreated wastes and effluents.
• Waste water treatment is not operating in GAZA. Ground water is being polluted with domestic wastes, toxic chemicals, burning of multi story buildings and households.

4.1.3 Noise Pollution

Thunderous noise generated by aerial bombing and ground weapons firing has caused mental stress and strains. Continuous sound of ambulances, movement of Israeli tanks and vehicles have created a shocking regime of fear and anxiety. 

4.1.4  Atmospheric Pollution

Indoor and outdoor air is being polluted with smoke and particulate matters produced by weapons and missiles. Respiratory diseases are increasing. Women and children are severely affected. 

4.2  Annihilation of Biological Environments

4.2.1 Till end of 18th century Palestine had lot of olive plants, garden of dates & grapes and greenery. Birds were thriving undisturbed, this was era of Ottoman Empire. After world war-I the situation reversed. After dissolution of Ottoman Empire the Turks were weakened and Zionists were given homeland in Palestine. Consequently the landscape and demography were changed with the worst ever ecological decay for the native Arabs.

4.2.2 Because of previous wars, continuous pounding of gun powder and aggression has endangered biodiversity. The plants, wildlife and livestock are undergoing adverse ecological setting. Heinous crimes are being committed against animate and inanimate creatures. Aquatic life in river Wadi in Gaza and Jordan River is almost extinct which all sort of pollutants are finding way into the Dead Sea. Certain species of animals/fishes are facing genetic mutations. Parks and zoos are being destroyed.

4.3  Social, Economic, Cultural, Corporate, Security and Political Threats

4.3.1 The Palestinians have been undergoing social, economic, cultural, corporate, security and political threats since the fall of the Ottoman Empire because of occupation forces and Zionists. All these sectors have collapsed under non-stop aggression by Israel with patronizing by USA and the west. The culture and heritage of the Palestine people have been destroyed and most of population live below the poverty line. With life in refugee camps, in the seized condition fundamental human rights are denied. Educational facilities are scant and many children are not going to schools. Means of livelihood are too meager to meet routine needs. Communal violence against Arabs have increased manifold. The Two State decision has not been implemented and the Palestinian Authority is not given due status. Israel has adopted policy of ethnic cleansing and the political will is lacking for reaching any sustainable solution. The USA provides a whopping US$ 4 bn military aid annually to Israel.     

4.4 Health Implications

4.4.1  The World Health Organisation (WHO) says that the ongoing military aggression in Palestinians’ territory may lead to a human crisis. Health infrastructure is too weak for treating growing casualties. COVID-19 has deteriorated the situation further.

4.4.2 Israeli shelling has destroyed the only Coronavirus testing laboratory.

4.4.3 Under war conditions SOPs for COVID-19 are not being followed.

4.4.4 Hospitals are utterly ill equipped. Medicines are not available. Roads are blocked to take wounded to hospitals.

4.4.5 Red Cross and Red Crescent are not allowed to provide humanitarian aid.

4.4.6 Israelis often use white phosphorus and depleted uranium. These materials and heavy metals cause cancer, infertility, birth defect and miscarriages. 

4.4.7 Palestinians who are facing battle conditions from their birth to death, their  physical, mental and biological health issues are difficult to comprehend.

4.5 Great General Strike

A unique strike was observed by the Palestinians throughout Palestine on 18 May 2021 (West Bank, Jerusalem, Gaza and Israel proper) against the Israeli occupation. The youth took the leading role in this unprecedented strike. This was a case of the highest level of solidarity among the Palestinians.

4.6 Internally Displaced Persons (IDP)

At least 58000 people in Gaza have been displaced from their homes and this figure is rising.

5. The Way Forward

5.1 Do or Die Situation

The present scenario is “do or die” situation for Palestinians. This had happened after the second INTEFADA in 2000. Muslims have realised that Palestine–Israel conflicts is not the issue of Palestinians and Arabs only but it is the concern of entire Muslim UMMAH. The keys of Jerusalem were presented to the Second Guided Caliph Hazrat Umar bin Al-Khatab (May Allah be pleased with him) later Sultan bin Ayyubi (May Allah be pleased with him) entered the sacred city on 02 October 1187. Every Muslim has the right to prayer in AL-MASJID AL-AQSA and if this is unachievable the Muslim will unite together against Israeli aggression. OIC must play leading role in this regard.

5.2  End to Hostility

This is the most opportune occasion for the UN, OIC, European Union and other global leadership to enforce ceasefire and at same time commence greater dialogue for termination of the Arab-Israel conflict. Human beings and biodiversity in Israel and Palestine can no longer sustain hostile environments. War adds to adverse climate change which have already impacted the Planet Earth. Every human being must raise voice at the war, anti-violation, anti-aggression and anti-apartheid with a view to provide clean, green, safe, secure, healthy and proper prosperous environment to all the divine creatures living on mother earth. Global summits should be arranged to arrive at a lasting final solution.

5.3 Role of Environmental Establishments

UN organisations like UNESCO, UNICEF, WHO, UNEP, UNIDO, UNDP, FAO, UNHCR and ICJ should make respective contribution for environmental preservation in the Middle East. The same is true for JICA, SIDA, USAID and others. This issue should be discussed in all international forums including Conference of the Parties 26 (Cop 26). This is high time to commence rescue, relief, rehabilitation and development projects towards environmental preservations in Palestine on war footing. This is the global, regional, national, moral and ethical obligation of all stakeholders to render the required resources.

5.4 Environmental Intifada

There is pressing need of launching environmental Intifada in Palestine. They must strengthen their economic prosperity and military might. Barring a few allies of Israel the world opinion is in favour of the Palestinian.

5.5 Advice of President John F. Kennedy

Advice of US President John F. Kennedy is reproduced below:

One day after I am long gone,

You will remember me and say,

We should have stopped

The nuclear program of Israel

Abolished the Federal Reserve

And kicked all secret societies,

Occultists, usurpers and Zionists

Out of our wonderful country,

To keep it that way, but it is never too late just

Remember that

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Global Voices
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4. Hussain, M., Book Islam and Environment, Unpublished
5. Hussain, M., (2021), Islam and Environment, Vol-I & II, The Environ Publications, Lahore (Pakistan)
6. Informed Comments
7. MNT Newsletter
8. National Geographic
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10. The Environ Monitor
11. TV Channels (BBC, Al-Jazira, Pakistan TV etc.)
12. Washington Daily Briefing
13. WHO Briefings and Media