Sudden and unprecedented attack on Israel by Hamas, who are viewed as Islamic terrorists by several countries, has caught the world by shock and surprise.
This is not the first time that Islamic terrorists have struck in the world causing death and destruction. Of course, the most tragic attack was the September 11 attack on twin tower in New York that killed thousands of innocent Americans. The next brutal attack of the Islamic terrorists was 26/11 attack in Mumbai in India in 2008 when 175 people were killed and later on another brutal attack on Easter day in Churches in Sri Lanka took place, when more than 250 people were killed. In between, there were so many other brutal attacks, particularly in Europe and India.
The fact is that the world appears to remain helpless in the face of such Islamic terrorist attacks.
Perhaps, next to Israel, the biggest target for Islamic terrorists is India. Almost everyday, India is witnessing violent attacks by Islamic terrorists in Kashmir region and Indian army is yet to stop the act of such terrorists, inspite of its best efforts.
The attack on Israel and other places show that the terrorists have gained enormous expertise and possess tools and arsenal to hit wherever and whenever they want, without their acts being detected in advance. In spite of the fact that Israel has strong intelligence system and battle ready army, terrorists had their way in sending thousands of rockets into Israel and invading the country from land, sea and air.
Considering the plight of Israel in the wake of such brutal attack, there is considerable concern in India about such Islamic terrorist attacks happening against India in Kashmir and other places.
The ground reality is that India is much more vulnerable to such hate filled brutal attack by Islamic terrorists than Israel.
In India’s neighbouring countries namely Pakistan and Afghanistan, Islamic terrorists are well entrenched and have built a strong base. There is a strong view in India that such terrorists get some sort of support from the governments in Pakistan and Afghanistan directly or indirectly. These terrorists have made no secret of their plans to enter and occupy Kashmir by force and also destabilise India by provoking religious conflicts. Unlike Israel, there are news appearing frequently in India about the recruitments being made by terrorists by brainwashing the Indian youth.
The question is whether Indian army and the government are ready to face a terrorist attack, which could be with the type of intensity that has been seen in Israel.
There is now fear in India that terrorists could launch surprise rocket attacks and invade into Kashmir in huge number, particularly after being emboldened by the initial success in Israel. The terrorists are unlikely to be concerned about their loss of lives due to such mob invasion, which is bound to be resisted by Indian army.
Like Israel, India is unlikely to get spontaneous support from USA, Canada and West European countries in case of such attacks. This would be so, since India has maintained its neutrality in international relations and the Western countries would not like to displease Pakistan and some Arab countries by openly coming out with support for India against terrorists. Perhaps, they would end up by providing lip sympathy for India. Of course, China could provide sort of support to the Islamic terrorists for their attacks against India indirectly, as it would meet China’s desire to weaken India in whatever way possible. China’s support and attitude would be similar to the response of Iran supporting the terrorists against Israel. The Arab countries may also remain largely silent, if India were to be attacked by the Islamic terrorists, since they would not like to antagonise the Islamic extremists.
Prime Minister Modi has been the first person to condemn the attack on Israel and pledge India’s support to Israel in this difficult time. Mr. Modi has read the writing on the wall and appear to be of the view that what has happened in Israel may happen to India too. In the unfortunate event of such terrorist act taking place, it appears that India has to fight against the terrorists on its own. Israel could be the only country that would voice its support for India openly.
In the recent time, there have been sort of unrest in Israel due to difference on various issues and strikes and demonstrations have taken place. It is said that even some military personnel could have been against the government for certain policies. Probably, Islamic terrorists could have thought that it is the right time to hit Israel when there are political dissensions in the country. The situation in India is also not much different. India has a noisy democracy and with the forthcoming parliamentary election in the next few months, there have been considerable hate campaign against the Prime Minister Modi by the opposition parties. Islamic terrorists could think that this will be the right condition to launch attack against India.
Several countries in the world have termed Hamas as a terrorist group, though Hamas claim that they are not terrorists but freedom fighters. Every terrorist group make such claims of fighting for liberation and just cause , when they attack another nation or group violently.
In the case of Israel-Hamas war, one has to either support Israel or Hamas and cannot remain neutral. Considering the fact that Hamas has launched aggression and indulged in a ruthless war with clear intention of destruction of Israel,
In the last several years, there have been global efforts to ensure peace in the middle east region and several middle east countries including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Jordon, Egypt and Qatar have realized that middle east region cannot afford such conditions of conflict and unrest all the time. There have been significant change for the better in the attitude and approach of leaders of several middle east countries in recent times. . In such climate, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE, Qatar and others have all developed good relations with Israel, which obviously indicate that they have come to accept that Israel as a country has to be accorded its due status. In other words, these countries have accepted that Israel is a legitimate state.
The fact is Hamas group and a few other militant groups which believe in war and violence in defence of what they term as the rights of Palestinian people, now remain isolated even in Middle East countries. Most of the Middle East countries, which have seen considerable material prosperity, technology advancement and have adopted healthy life style with quality administration, cannot support militancy anymore. On the other hand, they realise that the growth in militancy would affect the stability and progress of the middle east countries themselves.
While Mr. Modi has expressed his solidarity with Israel which he has done in view of his understanding of the fact that terrorism should be wiped out, several Middle East countries have observed positive silence in the Hamas-Israel conflict, with positivity being on the side of peace and progress and against terrorism.
---*Trustee, Nandini Voice For The Deprived, Chennai
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