The Palestinian Question: Peace Or Jihad?

I believe that we need to analyze the recent developments regarding politicians who are directly or indirectly responsible for the current, grave situation -- developments that have been steadily sweeping away any hope for peace. There are differences in the styles of approach employed to condemn Israel's aggressive policies. Do those who condemn Israeli aggression with a dark mentality that praises Hitler actually view what is happening as a peace issue?

The right of the Palestinian people to create a state of their own is no longer discussed in the international arena. This option as a solution can only follow a bloody process. But this time, the attitudes of the groups and organizations claiming to legitimately represent the Palestinian people against Israel and against each other have become important. Two separate “states” have emerged in Palestinian lands. If this is the choice of the people, then of course it should be recognized. In the end, this could be seen as a problem that the Palestinians will settle all by themselves.

Israel is a reality. However, some radical Islamist organizations still survive by promising they will destroy Israel. These groups are able to attract support from states that have an interest in keeping the issue unresolved.

Of course, Israel has not abandoned its aggressive policy, which is still the main cause of this situation. The most recent military operation -- which was launched under the pretext that Hamas was firing rockets into Israeli lands -- will not do anything but exacerbate the current predicament.

Given the bloody turmoil in the region, it seems that attaining a lasting solution to the Palestinian question has become no more than a very remote possibility for the near future.

It should be acknowledged that there can be no victory for those engaging in violent conflicts and war. It is not possible for Hamas to destroy Israel, and Israel cannot possibly eliminate Hamas or the Palestinian reality. The key here for both parties is to acknowledge the other's presence and to agree to a peaceful solution to the issue. If the regional actors, the UN, the US, the EU and other international actors recognize this reality and force the parties to accept it, peace will become a true and authentic option rather than a groundless hope or dream.

To do this, heroic slogans and reactionary policies pursued in favor of either party should be abandoned because these reflect an attitude that does great harm to the prospect of peace.

As a country that has ties with the parties involved, regional actors and the international community, Turkey could have played a constructive role in reaching a peaceful solution to the Palestinian issue. Unfortunately, the Justice and Development Party (AKP) administration is now unable to play this role because of its irresponsible foreign policy. Prime Minister and presidential candidate Recep Tayyip Erdoğan prefers to rely on a populist discourse in his election campaign. This attitude may keep his supporters aligned, but it holds no meaning for the people of a Gaza under heavy fire.

It is our right to criticize the international community for its indifference to the Palestinian issue and lenient approach to Israeli aggression. I believe that it is an important development that the most serious anti-Israeli protests are held in European countries. This is something the EU needs to take into account.

The question that needs to be addressed first in terms of the position of Arab world and Turkey is this: Is the Palestinian question an issue of peace or an issue of jihad against Israel?

The response to this question is crucial to determine where we stand in relation to this problem and what we can do to serve the peace process.

You may ask Israel to stop its aggression by making strong remarks in the spirit of calls for war, but you may also do this by stressing that peace is the only solution for all.

What Gaza needs right now is peace. What the people of Gaza need is to live freely, without the fear of death, and to be able raise their children safely.

CAFER SOLGUN (Cihan/Today's Zaman)