Since the September 11 attacks on the United States of America, a claim spread around the world about radicalism in Islam and the Arab world. Universities [singlepic id=244 w=320 h=240 float=right] around the world tried to study the phenomenon of radicalism in Islam. Many scholars tried to support the claim that Islamist communities hold violence and extreme thoughts because of the origins of Islam and the nature life in Arab countries. A few disagreed with the idea that Islam has nothing to do with the terrorist organizations such Al Qaeda that executed violence attacks against both Western and Arab populations while many tried to use the September 11 attacks in order to launch wide attacks against anything which have Arab or Islamic origins.

Former President George W Bush insisted after the September 11 attacks to consider the hostiles of America as Radical Islamists who should be attacked back at their homelands. The war on Iraq which was started by claiming that the latter holds nuclear projects had no real goal except for launching a chaos which brought more benefit to the oil companies in the West and many victims from both sides of the war. The war in Afghanistan has also failed and the allied forces are still in war with the ghosts of Taliban and Al Qaeda. The result that these wars brought was the creation of a fake idea about the Islamic belief and more anger within the Arabs and Muslims. This anger became a fuel which organizations such as Al Qaeda use in order to bring more young men into their lines.

Although Radicalism in Islam became a subject which scholars and academics study until today to find answers for this claim, no one succeeded in finding any answer which differs from an invitation to treat the East, Islamic world and the Arab world as locations which are inhabited by retroactive and barbarian people that will always create a threat on the interests and existence of the West. Such invitations that describe Islam as a religion that is built on violence made many launch wide campaigns against Muslims and Arabs who live in the West.
The weird thing is that most of the Arab countries define themselves as countries of nationalities and does not consider themselves as Islamic Emirates or rule by Islamic Law. The campaign against Arabs and the accusations that describe them as dictators and democracy deniers tried to create instability inside the Arab countries in order to support new streams that work against the idea of nationalism or the independence of the Arab countries.

Although the non governmental organizations and the Western countries are excellent in examining the situation of Human Rights in the Arab world and are very good in criticizing the Arab governmental system, only a few are interested in examining Radicalism within countries that claim to be democratic but continues to break the International Law on a daily basis and occupy territories since tens of years.
Former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon wanted the world to consider the Palestinians terrorists after the September 11 attacks by comparing them to Al Qaeda and considering Israel’s attacks on the Palestinians legitimate and important to protect the security of the Israeli civilians. Unfortunately many preferred to believe such claims although they always state that International Law and Humans Rights are sacred and must always be applied. Lets for once try to examine the applying of International Law and Human Rights inside the countries that are considered democratic and defenders of freedom and ethical norms.

Israel for example is considered a democratic state and an ally of the leaders of the free world. Today the Israeli society is suffering from two kinds of radicalism: one against Israelis who disagree with the occupation policy and another against millions of Palestinians that are living under occupation since tens of years. Although Israel is the last occupier nowadays and it breaks the International Law daily by occupying the Palestinian territories, imprisons thousands of Palestinians, puts a blockage on Gaza and uses violence against anyone who disagrees with its policy such as the latest flotilla incident, it is still considered a democratic country.

If the free world wants to understand why terrorist organizations are born, then it must start by examining its policy and its alliances actions against the third world. Many feel relieved and think that colonialism has ended but the situation today is much worse than it used to be. Today Colonialism is made by exploiting the third world peoples and by deceiving the populations of the modern and leading countries. International Law and Human Rights were written and considered in order to assure equality and protection for all humans but I doubt that the world is really living upon such standards. Watching one million and seven hundred thousand men women and children being under siege in Gaza and claiming that the humiliation and starving that they are suffering from is because of their leadership is similar to the justification of the killing of millions of men and women in Europe only a few decade ago for the sake of a better world.

Leaving a country to occupy the land of another people for more than sixty years without daring to condemn crimes that are made by a state is worse than being silent while a terrorist organization attacks innocent civilians. Confronting true intentions towards peace that include the recognize of a state which is made on half of the lands which were originally occupied and living in peace side by side with the occupier by continuing the occupation does not seem to be an action of a democratic and freedom defender state. It is important to remember that we are talking about humans and not statistics and that radicalism is a reaction of an action which was made in the beginning.

Ziad Khalil Abu Zayyad

A Palestinian-Arab living in East Jerusalem, Ziad graduated from College Des Freres in Jerusalem in 2003. Ziad finished his major in International Relations and English Literature from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Ziad is a former President of the Watan student movement at the university. He is interested in Middle Eastern political issues and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Founder of the Middle East Post and MEL (Middle East Future Leadership Network), he represents Palestinian youth at several international conferences.

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