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CSI in the News - CSI Today

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Fight<strong>in</strong>g for <strong>the</strong> 1967 borders is a way of fight<strong>in</strong>g aga<strong>in</strong>st <strong>the</strong> creation of a Palest<strong>in</strong>ian state. After all,such a state would legitimize Israel’s existence. If <strong>the</strong> Palest<strong>in</strong>ians wanted a state, <strong>the</strong>y could have onetomorrow–<strong>the</strong> same state <strong>the</strong>y could have had <strong>in</strong> 2001 at Taba.The way to support <strong>the</strong> Palest<strong>in</strong>ians—<strong>the</strong> only way—is to support Israel. The Arab world has doneonly one th<strong>in</strong>g to help Palest<strong>in</strong>ians: arm <strong>the</strong>m. The Palest<strong>in</strong>ians have been allowed to rema<strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong>refugee camps for an unprecedented 62 years. Israel, on <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r hand, not only has Arab members of<strong>the</strong> Knesset and an Arab <strong>in</strong> its cab<strong>in</strong>et, but is <strong>the</strong> country where it is easiest for an Arab woman tobecome a doctor. In addition to Arab physicians, Israel has Arab musicians.We all know what would happen to <strong>the</strong> Palest<strong>in</strong>ians if <strong>the</strong>re were no Israel. The neighbor<strong>in</strong>g stateswould subjugate <strong>the</strong>m. It is true that at <strong>the</strong> moment, Jordan and Egypt are not <strong>in</strong>terested <strong>in</strong> annex<strong>in</strong>gGaza and <strong>the</strong> West Bank. In <strong>the</strong> case of Egypt, it is because <strong>the</strong> government doesn’t want a violentm<strong>in</strong>ority <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> country. In <strong>the</strong> case of Jordan, which already has a Palest<strong>in</strong>ian majority, <strong>the</strong>government fears it would be overthrown. But if <strong>the</strong>re were no Israel, <strong>the</strong> Palest<strong>in</strong>ian issue would goaway and <strong>the</strong> land would be fought over by Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Israel, and Saudi Arabia. Whatwould happen to al-Aqsa Mosque and <strong>the</strong> Dome of <strong>the</strong> Rock? Rival groups of Muslims would blow<strong>the</strong>m up—preferably at a moment when <strong>the</strong>re were lots of worshipers with<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> build<strong>in</strong>gs, just as<strong>the</strong>y do <strong>in</strong> Iraq and Pakistan.Nowadays, Arabs from anywhere <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> world can choose to be treated <strong>in</strong> Israeli hospitals. Some of<strong>the</strong>m agree to make <strong>the</strong> sacrifice of temporarily recogniz<strong>in</strong>g Israel <strong>in</strong> order to get medical treatment.Then <strong>the</strong>y have to live with <strong>the</strong>ir moment of weakness for <strong>the</strong> rest of <strong>the</strong>ir lives.It is easy to jump on <strong>the</strong> bandwagon. It is easy to condemn Israel for its real, its debatable, and itsimag<strong>in</strong>ed moral fail<strong>in</strong>gs. Do<strong>in</strong>g so does not help anybody. It is merely an easy way to feel superior.Only Israel can allow a Palest<strong>in</strong>ian state to exist. It tried to do so <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> past and failed. Its critics wantit to keep on fail<strong>in</strong>g.George Jochnowitz is a Professor Emeritus of L<strong>in</strong>guistics at <strong>the</strong> College of Staten Island, CUNY.Page 28 of 179

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