The Causes of Middle East Terrorism

"It is about time that we treat the disease and not just the symptoms!"

By Dr. Jamal A. Shurdom

In wake of the barbaric terrorists attack on the World Trade Center building, it is my moral and national obligation to remind Washington that the causes of Middle East terrorism are mainly the result of the unresolved Arab-Israeli conflict.

Any dealings with Middle East terrorism policy, Washington should shed light and seriously consider the following proposed solutions for other closely related problems. In our views, these are the interconnected causes, foundations, realities, conditions, the backbone and the master keys for an "acceptable" everlasting peace and security in the Middle East:

1. The Arab-Israeli mutual recognition in accordance with: A- Israelis 1948 borders rights to survive and to live in peace, freedom, security and sovereignty. B- Palestinians' rights for statehood. An independent Palestinian sovereign state.

2. The internationalization of the Holy City of Jerusalem or any agreement agreed upon between Arabs (Palestinians) and Israelis. We view Jerusalem as the Headquarters of God. No political identity has the right over its sovereignty. The Holy City of all God believers, Jews, Christians, and Muslims. Jerusalem is the eternal capital of humanity and peace.

3. The Israeli withdrawal from 1967 occupied Arab lands, including the Golan Heights and Southern Lebanon.

4. The removal of all Jewish settlements from the 1967 Israeli occupation of Arab lands.

5. To lift the unjustified UN. Imposed sanctions on Iraq. The innocent people and children of Iraq are suffering as a result of these sanctions. Iraqis should immediately be freed. We suggest an Iraqi-American face-to-face talks would be the only channel to avoid wars and to reach some kind of understanding. The wisdom of late King Housing's idea of a direct US-Iraqi dialogue should be seriously considered

6. An end to the arms race in the Middle East. This requires eliminating all nuclear and chemical arsenals in the region, both Israelis, Arabs, Iranians, etc. Assuring a comprehensive ban on chemical and nuclear tests; controlling military activities in the Middle East. In the meantime, the US should propose and enforce mutual weapons reductions, and a ceiling on the number and quality of conventional weapons. Constraints should also be imposed on the modernization of some strategic weapons. This arms reduction must be fair to both sides, be adequately verifiable, and lead to mutual security. It is important to remember that experts determined "that Israel had (have) the world's sixth-largest stockpile of nuclear weapons."

7. The withdrawal of American and British troops from the Arab Gulf states. There are many other channels, beside our military presence (occupation), to maintain and secure our vital oil interest in the region without the provocation of Muslims and Arab nationalists legitimate concerns and views of sovereignty and independence.

8. The support of democracy and Human rights forces in the Middle East. This is the age of technology and massive communications. This is the age of democracy and human rights. This is the age of the beginning of peoples' political power. This is the age of the end of dictatorships and the rule of the "elite" minority over the wishes of the majority. This the age where governments follow the people, not the other way around.

9. We should always remember the fact that Israel is not the United States. Israel might be enjoying a very distinguished advantages over its very special friendship relations with the US due to the existence of a very powerful Zionist lobby in Washington. But, the fact remains the same that Israel is still a foreign country in our eyes as proud Americans. No country can be trusted (including Israel) with our sensitive classified information (Jonathan Pollard's case). We cant follow Israel's "nonsense" wishes, expansionist aspirations, and greedy ambitions. Such Israeli "spoiled" behavior is threatening the US national security and interests in this vital region.

Israel cannot survive without the US "Congress's generosity " in economic and military foreign aids." Based on these unshakable facts, the US should be able to design a "fair road' for the Israelis to take, a road to be built on the human principles of our great American Revolution. A road where her 1948 border are guaranteed, secured and recognized. Israel should follow the sense of logic in dealing with the Palestinians.

Israelis expansionist and careless spoiled behaviour is damaging the US national interest in the region and the long term views and the perception of Israeli national security. The Israelis have to understand that they need the Arabs, not otherwise!

Unlike other presidents, who succumbed under the influence of invisible foreign lobbyists, and who failed to pressure for a just peaceful solution, an American evenhanded policy is needed as a solid base to counter these serious causes of terrorism. Certainly, we don't want to see our president's office to become a rubber stamp in the hands of foreign lobbyists. A distinguished patriotic American columnist angrily described the US president's office as "The office of the Deputy Prime Minister of Israel.

" However, we salute, President George W. Bush's most recent public statement (October 2, 2001) in support of the possibility of the establishment of an independent Palestinian State. This is a unique and brilliant needed move by President Bush. It is the right step on the right direction of hope. No. I can see a little light at the end of the gloomy and dark Palestinian-Israeli conflict tunnel.

The President needs a personal courage to confront the enemies of peace 'whatever' the cost might be. Peace is to be built on Palestinians-Israelis equality, human justice and mutual interests for both the Israelis and the Palestinians.

We have to be careful and remember that an escalation of any military confrontation to confront terrorism might lead us to more terrorists or to have uncontrolled situation to degenerate into a bloody conflict between the West and Islam. But, as one friend said:" it is about time that we treat the disease and not just the symptoms!"

The despaired Middle East people still have a little hope of the unknown ambiguous future. They need Americans' help. America should give a serious attention to both sides of the Arab-Israeli equation. Remember that there is no one "God chosen" people We all are wonderful people chosen by One God, the same One God, the God of Moses, Jesus and Mohammed (God bless).

Finally, let us all enjoy the fruits of peace and security, under the sky of our lovely holy lands. There will be no peace and security where political freedom and human justice don't exist! Peace is Patriotic!

This the article was published in MECRA International Journal (December 1999 issue) and the Beirut Times (1997), Al Quds, (April 2001). Jordan Times, October 2001.Updated October 2001. MECRA/Shurdom/October 2001

Dr. Shurdom is the executive director of the Middle East Consultations & Research Analysis-MECRA. The chief editor of MECRA International Journal. Orlando, Florida-1987-present. The Chief editor of MECRA International Journal. An expert in international affairs, terrorism, national security, strategic studies and American Federal Government. A former Fulbright Scholar ( 1985). An adjunct professor of politics and international law.

The Revival 2001