Political Concepts

Israel’s Mighty Military: Nothing but Hot Air

The fires roared through the Carmel forest near Haifa baring the frailty of the “great nation” often touted to the Arab countries. Israel known for its elite technology and vigilance demonstrated their incompetence to extinguish a small fire. It appealed to the international community for help. Sixteen nations came to the immediate aid of the “great nation” including Arab nations.

This incident brings to light the great myths about Israel as a mighty nation among the weak Arab countries. International powers hail Israel as a strong highly-trained and well-equipped nation despite its size. Their military numbers are often bloated to instill fear in their Arab neighbors. Now from this incident — Israel exposed its true weakness. Aluf Benn, a Haaretz columnist, wrote on Friday that the blaze was the equivalent of the 1973 Arab-Israeli war, meaning it was a disaster because Israeli authorities were unprepared. A “mighty” nation was left paralyzed from a small incident leaving Muslims worldwide to ponder about its strength. If a small fire brought Israel to its knees, what would a single attack from a single neighboring country do to Israel?

On a pragmatic note, this fire brought several issues to light. The closely-knit relationship with its Arab allies like Egypt and Jordan who serve to protect and preserve Israel’s sovereignty in the Middle-East. The very countries that put on a masquerade to the Arabs and Muslims worldwide—the tense relationships, the negotiations, the exaggerated responses—all rushed to assist Israel. Egypt, Jordan, and Turkey all assisted. Turkey for instance released its air force to send helicopters. “In the face of such a natural disaster, we needed to help as a humanitarian and Islamic requirement,” Mr. Erdogan was quoted by his office as saying in reply to Mr. Netanyahu. “Our planes will remain in your country until the fire is brought under control.” Erdogan showing no mercy or dignity for his own people quickly forgot that Israel denied access to his flotilla carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza. Israel dispatched its navy with clear and decisive orders to shoot any form of resistance killing Turkish citizens-nine Muslims. How cheap this bloods spills. In Erdogan’s eyes, Israeli’s blood is far more precious than the Turkish Muslims. Can Erdogan be more of a fraud calling for Islamic values? Can this be any clearer to the Muslims worldwide who hailed him as a champion for Palestinian’s basic human rights? How can he can so loyal and serving to the same people that kill his people in a heartbeat?

The occupied Palestinian Territories Authority immediately rushed to Israel’s aid to help in their disaster. Since the beginning of time, when does an occupied land ever send assistance to its occupier!! What can expose the Palestinian Authority more than this incident? Palestinians are robbed of the very existence in their homeland, denied of a tiny morsel of food in Gaza; Jewish settlers torch olives trees and bulldoze mosques and homes while the PA stands idle. The PA does not dare take action against these settlers even worse they release their Security Forces to restrain its own people from defending their lands and honor. Instead of pouncing on the opportunity to liberate the Holy Land from the Zionist Regime, it sends its men to rescue their extortionists.

If only one Arab or Muslim ruler used his misguided sincerity to the good of their people and unite in the same cause to eradicate Israel from its lands, he will easily succeed in a matter of hours if not less. Allah سبحانه وتعالى has exposed Israel’s great weakness to the world. Let us as Muslims take pride and comfort in our own great military strength and work sincerely in resuming a unified Islamic State which will destroy all occupiers, returning stolen lands to their rightful owners.

ضُرِبَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ الذِّلَّةُ أَيْنَ مَا ثُقِفُوا إِلَّا بِحَبْلٍ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَحَبْلٍ مِنَ النَّاسِ وَبَاءُوا بِغَضَبٍ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَضُرِبَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ الْمَسْكَنَةُ ذَلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ كَانُوا يَكْفُرُونَ بِآَيَاتِ اللَّهِ وَيَقْتُلُونَ الْأَنْبِيَاءَ بِغَيْرِ حَقٍّ ذَلِكَ بِمَا عَصَوْا وَكَانُوا يَعْتَدُونَ

“Shame is pitched over them (Like a tent) Wherever They are found, except when under a Covenant (of protection) from Allah and from men; They draw on themselves wrath from Allah, and pitched over them is (the tent of) destitution. This because They rejected the Signs of Allah, and slew the prophets In defiance of right; This because They rebelled and transgressed beyond bounds.” (Al-Imran, 3:112)

 

Manal Bader
Bayt Al-Maqdes