FLASH
Shkruar nga Burhanettin Duran
Sadly, the holy month of Ramadan began without a ceasefire in Gaza, where humanity is facing a new test. Will the people of Gaza see a ceasefire and the distribution of humanitarian aid this month or more cruelty?
US President Joe Biden recently declared that he is working to achieve an emergency 6-week ceasefire, considering Rafah as a "red line" for the US. And yet, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his commitment to military operations in the area.
In fact, the new cruel acts of the Israeli army in Rafah, where 1.4 million Palestinians are suffering from hunger during the Holy Month of Ramadan, would be a new source of shame for the world and the Muslim community. Since the US exerts more influence over Israel than any other nation, one cannot help but criticize the (in)action of the Biden administration.
Biden's vague calls to "stop the genocide"
As the US presidential elections approach, President Joe Biden is facing constant calls to "stop the genocide". However, his administration remains committed to a two-pronged strategy, which has yet to lead to any ceasefire.
On the one hand, Washington insists it continues to press for a ceasefire, pledging to build a temporary port to provide humanitarian aid to the Palestinians, and expressing agreement on a two-state solution to the conflict.
On the other hand, the Biden administration continues to provide military aid to Israel, and fails to put enough pressure on Netanyahu to end the bloodshed in Gaza. It can be argued that the Israeli prime minister is cunning and able to survive.
But hardly anyone really believes that the US has no way to prevent Israel from attacking Rafah. Instead, America's unconditional support and military aid to Israel comes to mind, not to mention its offer of defense via US aircraft carriers and Biden describing himself as a Zionist.
The American president is not so convincing when he pretends to criticize Netanyahu for killing more than 30,000 Palestinians in Gaza, and with the warning that the Israeli prime minister is doing more harm than good. It is true that Biden identified Rafah as a "red line" for Washington, but then ruled out the possibility of total abandonment of Israel.
So the Biden administration has no intention of suspending the delivery of weapons to Israel. Thus, there is no reason to assume that Washington's current approach would deter an experienced politician like Netanyahu.
Despite the criticism, Netanyahu is defending his policies
In response to Joe Biden's comments, the Israeli prime minister emphasized that Washington would be wrong if he thinks that his government has followed certain policies against the will of the majority, and that they have harmed the interests of Israelis.
He insists that the majority of citizens have supported his government's approach to Gaza. Thus, Netanyahu has portrayed as a national interest of Israel the killing of civilians, in the name of the already stated goal of the final elimination of Hamas.
Also, he emphasized that he will not hand over this territory to the Palestinian administration, which he openly accused of supporting terrorism. And this is definitely the biggest challenge. And if Netanyahu refuses to end the killings just to stay in power, then why aren't the Israeli politicians of the left trying to stop him from doing so?
Is it really possible that what has been happening for 5 months can be justified only by the great shift of Israeli politics to the right? Let's remember here that the Israeli public has never reacted to the bloodshed that is happening in Gaza with as much force as the Westerners.
Even my friends in the West have noticed that the people of Israel need to be convinced that the fighting in Gaza must end as soon as possible. And if Netanyahu is right that the majority of Israel supports the current policy, then who can change their minds?
That Israel will not stop unless and until it pays a heavy price has become the mainstream view of analysts and pundits. A massacre in Rafah would cause irreparable damage to the image and interests of Israel, but also of the United States. Failure to prevent this scenario would also make Muslim countries pay their heavy cost in terms of public image./ Pamphlet adapted from "Daily Sabah".
Note: Burhanettin Duran, general coordinator of SETA foundation, and professor at Ankara University of Social Sciences.
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