The reality of Israel
In a geographical area where Europe, Asia and Africa meet, Israel was created in May of 1948 as part of the United Nation Partition Plan. Today, its struggle to exist still continues. I recollect that in my childhood in the Aegean city of İzmir, thousands of Jews were sent from the Pasaport port to Israel. We had good relations with them. The elders were upset when Jews were leaving.
In an existential struggle
Israel is at war since the moment of its establishment. The Arab-Israel war lasted more than a year and cost the lives of 6,000 Israelis. With an armistice reached in 1949, Egypt remained in control of the Gaza Strip, Jordan of the West Bank and Eastern Jerusalem, while the coastal line was left to Israel.
Since its establishment, Israel has been in conflict with its neighbors. The struggle continued with the Arab-Israeli war, the Six Day war in 1967, and the Yom Kippur war in 1973 in addition to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the Lebanese crisis. In short, Israel is at war since day one. Neither Israel, nor its neighbors have relented a little. Geographically, Israel is squeezed in an area totaling 21,000 square kilometers, including a coastal line of about 300 kilometers, a 135-kilometer depth and over 1,000 kilometers of borders with its neighbors. Israel lacks strong geographical defense positions.
In other words, since inconvenient geographical defense lines challenge Israel’s territorial security, part of the country is always forced to be in mortal struggle. Israel sees that its existence is under continuous threat. So, it does not have any other choice but to defend itself against countries determined not to recognize Israel as a state. In the end, ongoing conflicts bring tears and blood.
Chaos, wars and armistices prove that peace is yet unreachable. That is why war and existence go hand in hand here.
For how long will this chaos continue?
For how long will supporters of the chaos watch this? When will peace and quiet settle in the region?
Similar well-intended questions have been asked many times. So far nothing has changed. As other countries deserve security on their land, so does Israel. However, it is equally important for Israel to return the occupied land to its rightful owners. No one should forget the thousands who either died or were disabled in the wars.
We should always keep in mind that we have to approach each other with understanding, compassion, love and respect in the process of bringing peace and quiet to the region and end the chaos. That is the requirement of humanity and beliefs. Otherwise, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict lying at the core of the never-ending crisis in the Middle East will continue to bleed.
At this point, undertaking responsibility and finding neutral approaches to the issue is important for Turkey. Turkey is a friend of Israel. We have always been, in the past and in the present. Turkey could employ some of its services for regional peace.
In the light of these observations and of U.N. resolutions, and taking the rights and interests of the parties into consideration, it is possible to stop this chaos. Besides, as much as the return of the occupied land, providing security for Israel should also be targeted. This is not really difficult as long as the parties are sincere and willing.
Orhan KİLERCİOĞLU