Issues Under Fire: A Unified Palestine is Israel’s Achilles Heel

Issues Under Fire: A Unified Palestine is Israel’s Achilles Heel

Day 43 of the Assault on Gaza: With only hours left before Israeli shelling and Palestinian rockets were due to resume, another cease-fire was hastily agreed to. Yes, it was another white-knuckled, nail-biting, nerve-wracking experience awaiting a last minute press conference to announce the results of Egypt’s brokered talks. Whether tomorrow would bring another torrent of terrorizing air strikes or another day of relative calm was not made clear until the very last second of the previous agreement.

The Palestinians of the Gaza Strip must have nerves of steel, an unshakable faith or simply too weary to worry anymore as they seem to be taking these talks in stride. Perhaps they’ve lived through these devastating events so often, the Palestinians have become desensitized to the death and destruction. Perhaps they’ve seen and survived the worst already. Perhaps Palestinians feel anything the Israelis do beyond a certain point, is just more of the same. Or perhaps, the Palestinian have realized something the Israelis have yet to grasp.

Could it be that the Palestinians have found strength in unity. Could it be they finally understand fighting Israel together as one as opposed to confronting the enemy individually will pack a bigger punch? Could it be a unified Palestine sends a stronger and consistent message, the international community and global supporters will rally behind? Could it be the Palestinians have have exposed Israel’s Achilles heel in their negotiating tactics to date?

As quietly as it been kept, a unified Palestine is actually Israel’s darkest nightmare.

Traditionally relying on a divide and conquer strategy, Israel has effectively kept Palestinians in the West Bank reasonably pacified by extending a modicum of autonomy. At the same time, Israel has relentlessly provoked Palestinians in Gaza to keep tensions raw and anger near the surface. Hence, Palestinians in the West Bank would wonder why those in Gaza wouldn’t just chill, while those in Gaza couldn’t understand why those in the West Bank were so eager to accept their second class status.

With that strategy no longer paying dividends, Israel has few if any cards to play. Stranded without a boogyman or a monster to blame, Israel has little left but to lash out at those in the West Bank now protesting the atrocities in Gaza. Still, tear-gasing demonstrators, firing into crowds with live ammunition and bulldozing homes will hardly create the separation between Gaza and the West Bank Israel seeks.

In fact, Israel has reacted like a vampire having holy water flung in its face every since the Palestinians announced their new unity government. Unfortunately, beating down the so-called “moderates”, will only strengthen the unity and resolve of the Palestinian people.

Bottom line: Finding itself confronting a unified Palestine, negotiating with one voice, demanding their human rights be restored and sovereignty respected, is going to be nearly impossible for Israel to overcome going forward. Without Hamas to demonize and Abbas to marginalize and a world now wise and mobilizing against what’s been going on in the occupied territories, Israel may very well be facing its Waterloo. Whodathunkit!

Podcast Below!