Israel Exists to Vanish

by Dr. Abdul-Sattar Kassem

Mr. Abu Mazen, president of the Palestinian Authority, told a gathering of religious Jews that “Israel exists to stay” — this from a man holding a doctorate in political science, from whom one would expect the ability to connect political phenomena with historical phenomena, and to draw conclusions by linking dialectical relationships.

Perhaps Mr. Abu Mazen is familiar with what physicians say about the human body’s rejection of foreign objects, and that a successful surgeon is one who searches for a human organ compatible with the body that will receive it in transplant. If the organ is not compatible, the body will reject it, and the patient will face further trouble. “Israel’s” existence in the Arab-Islamic region does not differ from this medical rule. “Israel” is an artificial entity in an environment that will not accept it, however much effort is spent trying to convince the Arab and Islamic public — and its end is rejection.

Some say the Jews were clever, managing to establish a state with ease, defeating the Arabs again and again, establishing themselves as masters of the Arab-Islamic region. The Jews did not accomplish this because they are clever, but because the Arab leaders were weak, or traitors, or reckless, or spies. The Jews are not clever — rather, the Jewish leaders have entangled the Jewish public in a situation that could end for them in a terrifying massacre. “Israel” will certainly not be able to endure across time, and history is in continuous motion, and when that time comes, the Jews will find themselves at the mercy of Arabs and Muslims. If the leaders’ hearts prove spacious, the Jews will save themselves and the road will open for them to return whence they came, but their fate will be dark indeed if hearts prove narrow instead.

“Israel” is strong only because of Arab weakness, and possesses no genuine strategic or material dimension for survival. Geographically, “Israel” is small in area, unable to withstand a massive firepower attack against it, and its population is small, easily boxed into a corner it cannot escape. Economically, it remains small, incapable economically, and its size would shrink considerably if Palestinians and Arabs stopped buying its goods. As for external support, America and Europe care about their own interests, and will turn their backs on “Israel” at the very first serious Arab and Islamic move to strike at their economic interests. “Israel” possesses none of the elements needed for survival, and whoever believes its military strength will protect it is deluded. Military strength requires the strength of geography, demography, economy, morality, and a camp of friends. “Israel’s” friends in the Arab homeland are a handful of collapsing leaders, and a small clique of “liberal” intellectuals.

Material military strength alone is not enough for a state’s survival — indeed, it is quite likely to collapse if the state has not fortified itself with other elements, such as moral strength, good relations with others, and scientific and technological advancement. Beyond every element of strength, “Israel” must convince Arabs and Muslims of the justifications for its existence — something it will never manage, because that very persuasion carries within it the seeds of its own demise. Given this, “Israel” will remain devoid of moral strength in its dealings with an environment unsuited to its existence, and consequently devoid of the capacity to build good relations. This means “Israel” came into being in an atmosphere that does not accept it, with no prospect of broad acceptance that would guarantee its absorption by its surroundings, and thus its survival. This means Israel’s establishment constitutes a dangerous gamble, placing the Jews before a terrifying future.

For this reason, I would hope Mr. Abu Mazen reconsiders his calculations, and if he sees in his words something that flatters the feelings of religious Jews, so that they support the establishment of a feeble Palestinian entity, these people hold no feelings toward Palestinians other than that they are filth and impurity, to be disposed of in order to please their Lord. Whoever claims to lead the Palestinian people ought to think again and again before uttering such a word.

Source: Translated from the original Arabic, “اسرئيل وجدت لتزول” by Dr. Abdul-Sattar Kassem.