Peace Disruption (Part 1): Palestine’s Killing Fields–Ignominious Beginnings

TRANSCEND MEMBERS, 22 May 2023

Prof Hoosen Vawda – TRANSCEND Media Service

Please note that this publication contains disturbing graphics and narrative text of violence against humanity, which may be stressful to some readers. Parental guidance is recommended for minors.

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The entities of Love, Hope, and Joy have been most elusive for the Oppressed Palestinians, for 75 long years. Now their very essence for sustained life and Peace are dispelled forever, within the Killing Fields of Palestine, due to the ongoing Peace Disruptions by Apartheid Israel.[1]

Gross Peace Disruption – The Physical Harassment of a Palestinian by Israeli Defence Force.  Photo Credit: Chicago Times

 This, Part 1 in a series on Palestine discusses the Pre-Biblical background to the present region of Palestine, the historical landscape and the formation of Israel by the British, amongst the residents of Palestine, resulting in the earliest form of modern mass migration of up to 750,000 Palestinians, internal displacement and the cause of the ongoing “Killing fields of Palestine”.  As a prelude to this publication, it is appropriate to begin with an extract from a letter written by Raouf J. Halaby, wo is a Professor, Emeritus of English and Art. He is a writer, photographer, sculptor, an avid gardener, and a peace activist, fighting the injustices against the Palestinians, generated by the Israelis[2]

“…How can I write about Jesus, his birth, his birthplace (only 12 miles from I grew up) joy, and the season of hope and peace when Every Single Day Palestinians are killed and maimed by a xenophobic, vengeful mob supported and abetted by the Evangelicals who see the killing of Palestinians as part of God’s plan?  Even children are not spared, they are shot, arrested, mobbed; their schools are demolished and bombed with gas canisters. Children as young as seven are arrested and detained. And Biden tells the world that he is an ardent “Zionist to the bone,” a so-called hypocritically devout Catholic who fails to condemn Israeli brutalities. Frankly speaking, Ray, Ching Ching is the only thing that makes the heart of this country throb…….I keep looking for Christian folks to stand up for justice for all,  in the same manner that they stand up for blonde, blue-eyed Ukrainians.  Even though my cup has spilled over, I still remain a believer in the decency of those who practice their faith through their actions. And I am fortunate to known a few of them who’ve enriched my life and affirmed that goodness does exist……..Raouf.”[3]

Raouf further elaborates: “In the heart of every Palestinian, whether they be Christians or Muslims, is a huge pit of anguish, fear, pain, uncertainty, despair, and hopelessness that feed into the cauldron of daily killings, house demolitions, confiscation of personal and real property, long and humiliating waits at checkpoints, mass arrests, and imprisonment. How could I write about joy, rejoicing, and other Hallmark themes that gloss over what is really happening in Palestine, a land coveted by greedy colonial adventurists who keep accusing God of some real estate deal favoring the interlopers of times past? That same God is accused of having ordered the killing of entire cities and villages to appease some demented fetish for His people.”[4]

The biblical narrative surrounding Christ’s birth tells us that Herod ordered the killing of thousands of children in what became known as “The Massacre of the Innocents”[5]. In early December 2022, Knesset Member Zvi Fogel of the Jewish Power Party[6], a modern-day Herod, stated that he was committed to making “a thousand Palestinian mothers cry to prevent one Israeli death. … We are too merciful.”  And “Returning Gaza to the stone age. … Mowing the grass. … [Israel’s, he added] deliberately disproportionate attacks [are designed to punish, humiliate, and terrorize civilian populations.”

At a time when empathy about Mary’s plight and flight is celebrated, Israeli politicians such Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked’s[7] ,herself a mother, comments are abhorrent: “The entire Palestinian people is the enemy, …they must be destroyed including its elderly and its women, its cities and its villages, its property and its infrastructure. Especially the slaughter of Palestinian mothers who give birth to Little Snakes.”

What started out as a forced land-grab in 1948, is today a wild west of fanatic settlers taunting Palestinians, Killing them, denying them access to their fields to harvest their crops. Only last week two young Palestinian men were run down by a settler and killed. Their guilt, on their way to their sister’s wedding, they had to repair a flat tire[8]. Aided and abetted by the US and EU in a race to gobble up the rest of Palestine, the Israelis are well on their way to accomplishing their goal.  For two thousand years now, another Christmas in the Holy Land is made un-Holy because of warring invaders. This 20^th century hateful, greedy, and ethnocentric group of zealots have created their god in their own hateful, angry, and vengeful image.  Is it not truly tragic and indeed ironic, that on the eve of the celebration of the birth of the “Prince of Peace”[9],  neither Zelensky nor Biden stressed “giving peace a chance?”  Ching Ching goes the national cash register. Write up another billion dollars’ worth  in arms as a special Christmas gift to the Merchants of Death[10].

The maiming and killings of elderly men in Gaza by Israelis sniper using rifle fitted with British made telescopic eye piece.

It is also pertinent to review the history of Palestine before the Biblical period. The region known as Palestine has a complicated history, dating back to prehistoric times.  Archaeological evidence suggests that the area was inhabited as early as the Paleolithic era[11], Stone Age and various civilisations have come and gone in the region, over the centuries.  One of the earliest known civilizations in Palestine was the Canaanite civilization[12], which emerged around 3000 BCE. The Canaanites were a Semitic-speaking people who lived in the region for many centuries, and their culture and language had a significant impact on the development of the region.  In the second millennium BCE, Palestine was conquered by a series of empires, including the Egyptians, the Hittites[13], and the Assyrians[14]. During this time, many cities and towns were founded in the region, including Jerusalem, which became an important religious center for many different cultures.  In the first millennium BCE, Palestine was conquered by the Babylonians[15] and then the Persians[16], who allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their temple. This period also saw the emergence of the Kingdom of Israel[17], which was ruled by a series of kings including David[18] and Solomon[19].   By the 6^th century BCE, Palestine was conquered by the Babylonians again, and then later by the Greeks under Alexander the Great. The region was subsequently ruled by the Ptolemaic[20] and Seleucid[21] empires, until it was eventually conquered by the Roman Empire [22]in the 1^st century BCE.  However, the pre-Biblical history of Palestine is marked by a series of conquests and the rise and fall of various civilisations, each leaving their mark on the region. The region was a crossroads of cultures and ideas, and its rich history continues to fascinate scholars and historians today.

The original inhabitants of the region that is now known as Palestine were a diverse group of people, including various Semitic-speaking tribes, Canaanites, and other indigenous peoples. These early inhabitants were largely nomadic or semi-nomadic, and their way of life was shaped by the region’s geography and climate.  Some of the earliest known inhabitants of the region were the Natufians[23], a culture that emerged in the Levant region around 12,500 years ago. The Natufians were hunter-gatherers who lived in small, semi-permanent settlements and relied on wild plants and animals for food.  Over time, the region became more settled, and agriculture began to emerge as a way of life. This led to the development of the Canaanite civiliastion, which emerged around 3000 BCE and lasted for several centuries. The Canaanites were a Semitic-speaking people who lived in the region and developed a complex culture that included agriculture, trade, and the worship of various deities.  Other groups that inhabited the region in prehistoric times include the Amorites[24], the Phoenicians[25], and the Arameans[26]. These groups were also Semitic-speaking and developed their own unique cultures and civilisations.

The region known as Palestine in the present-day context, has been a crossroads of cultures and civilisations for thousands of years, and its strategic location and abundant resources have made it a coveted prize for conquerors throughout history.  The following are the reasons why various empires and kingdoms sought to conquer Palestine:

• Strategic Location: Palestine is located at the crossroads of three continents – Europe, Asia, and Africa and has been an important trade and transportation hub for thousands of years. Control of Palestine allowed conquerors to exert influence over important trade routes and to project military power across the region.
• Abundant Resources: Palestine is blessed with a fertile landscape, abundant water resources, and a mild climate that makes it ideal for agriculture. The region was known for its production of olives, grapes, wheat, and other crops, as well as its herds of sheep, goats, and cattle. Conquerors who controlled Palestine could tap into these resources and use them to support their own empires and kingdoms.
• Religious Significance: Palestine is home to several important religious sites, including the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, which is sacred to Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike. Conquerors who controlled these sites could use them to exert influence over religious communities and to gain the support of the faithful.
• Prestige: Conquering Palestine was seen as a mark of prestige and power, and many empires and kingdoms sought to add it to their territories as a symbol of their strength and dominance.

However, the region’s complex history and diverse cultural heritage have also made it a site of conflict and turmoil, with many different groups vying for control over its people and resources.

The region now known as Palestine has been home to many different religions and cultures throughout history, and various places of worship have been built and destroyed over the centuries. Here is a brief timeline of some of the major places of worship in the region:

• Stonehenge-like structures: Some of the earliest known places of worship in the region were megalithic structures built by the Natufian and other prehistoric peoples, such as dolmens, menhirs[27] and stone circles.
• Canaanite shrines and temples: The Canaanites were a major culture in the region from around 3000 BCE to 1200 BCE, and they built many shrines and temples to worship their gods and goddesses. These included the temple complex at Hazor, the high places at Tel Dan and Megiddo, and the temple of Baal at Ugarit.
• Israelite and Judean temples: In the 10^th century BCE, the Israelites built the First Temple in Jerusalem, which was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BCE. The Second Temple was built on the same site after the Babylonian Exile and was later expanded by King Herod the Great. It was destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE.
• Roman temples: The Romans, who conquered the region in 63 BCE, built several temples in the region, including the Temple of Jupiter in Damascus, the Temple of Bacchus in Baalbek, and the Temple of Venus in Jerusalem.
• Byzantine churches and monasteries: After the Roman Empire split in two, the Eastern Roman Empire, also known as the Byzantine Empire, ruled the region from the 4th century CE to the 7th century CE. During this time, many churches and monasteries were built, including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem [28]and the Monastery of St. Catherine in the Sinai.
• Islamic mosques and shrines: In the 7^th century CE, the region was conquered by the Muslim Arab armies. They built many mosques and shrines throughout the region, including the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, the Great Mosque of Damascus, and the Umayyad Mosque in Aleppo.
• Crusader churches and fortresses: During the Crusades, which lasted from the 11th century CE to the 13th century CE, the Christian armies of Europe built many churches and fortresses in the region, including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Fortress of Belvoir.
• Ottoman mosques and palaces: The Ottoman Empire [29]ruled the region from the 16th century CE to the 20th century CE, and they built many mosques, palaces, and other buildings, including the Al-Omari Mosque in Gaza [30]and the Al-Jazzar Mosque in Acre[31].

This is just a brief timeline of some of the major places of worship in the region, and many more have been built and destroyed over the centuries. The region remains a site of great religious and cultural significance to this day.

According to the Abrahamic religions, which include Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, several prophets were present in the region now known as Palestine, and many of them are associated with the construction of various places of worship. Here are some examples:

• Abraham: According to the Bible and the Quran, Abraham was called by God to leave his home in Mesopotamia and travel to the land of Canaan, which later became Palestine. He is said to have built altars and offered sacrifices to God in various places, including at Shechem and Bethel.
• Moses: Moses is a central figure in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, and he is said to have led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt and received the Ten Commandments from God on Mount Sinai. According to the Bible, he also oversaw the construction of the Tabernacle, a portable sanctuary for worship that was used during the Israelites’ wanderings in the wilderness.
• David: King David, who ruled the Israelites from around 1000 BCE to 961 BCE, is said to have conquered the city of Jerusalem and made it the capital of his kingdom. According to the Bible, he also desired to build a permanent temple for worship, but God forbade him from doing so because he was a man of war. However, he prepared materials and plans for the temple, which his son Solomon later built.
• Solomon: King Solomon, who ruled from around 961 BCE to 922 BCE, is credited with building the First Temple in Jerusalem, which was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BCE. The temple was a magnificent structure, covered in gold and filled with treasures, and it became the central place of worship for the Israelites.
• Jesus: According to the New Testament, Jesus spent much of his ministry in Palestine, preaching and performing miracles. He is said to have visited many towns and cities, including Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Nazareth, and Capernaum, and he often taught in synagogues or in outdoor settings.
• Muhammad: According to Islamic tradition, the Prophet Muhammad received the first revelations of the Quran in a cave on Mount Hira, near Mecca in modern-day Saudi Arabia. He later migrated to Medina, where he built the first mosque, which became a center of worship and community life for the early Muslim community. After his death, his followers conquered Jerusalem and built the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount.

The above list of Abrahamic prophets who are associated with the region, in general, now known as Palestine and with the construction of various places of worship. Their stories and teachings continue to shape the beliefs and practices of millions of people around the world today.   The region of Palestine derives its name from the ancient Philistines, who were one of the major peoples that lived in the area during biblical times. The Philistines were an Aegean people who migrated to the eastern Mediterranean coast and settled in the region of Canaan, which included what is now modern-day Israel, Palestine, and parts of Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria.  The Philistines were one of the primary adversaries of the Israelites, and the biblical stories depict them as enemies who fought against the Israelites in battles such as that of David and Goliath. The term “Palestine” was used by the ancient Greeks and Romans to refer to the region inhabited by the Philistines, and over time it became a general term for the entire region.

After the Jewish-Roman wars in the 1st and 2nd centuries CE, the Romans renamed the region “Syria Palaestina” as a way to erase the Jewish identity of the area and to punish the Jewish people for their rebellion. Over the centuries, the name Palestine has been used to refer to the region, and it has become the most common and widely recognised name for the area today.

The question of who were the first residents of Palestine is a complex one, as the region has been inhabited by various peoples and cultures throughout history. The earliest known inhabitants of the area were likely the Canaanites, who lived in the region around 3000 BCE. Over time, other groups, such as the Israelites, Philistines, Assyrians, Babylonians, Greeks, and Romans, also came to live in the region, and the demographics of the area have continued to evolve over time. The modern-day Palestinians are the descendants of the various peoples who have lived in the region throughout history.  The assignment of Palestine to the Jews after World War II was the result of a complex historical process that involved a number of factors. One of the main factors was the long-standing Zionist movement, which had been advocating for the creation of a Jewish homeland in Palestine since the late 19^th  century.

Balfour Declaration 02nd November 1917 and the high ranking individuals who were the cause of the Killing Fields of Palestine
 Main Picture: The original letter of Balfour Declaration
 Arthur Balfour, who first served as prime minister of the United Kingdom, and more importantly, later as foreign secretary during the government of David Lloyd George, is the author of the declaration. Birth: Scotland, 1848 Death: England, 1930
 Lionel Walter Rothschild, A descendant of the powerful Jewish Rothschild banking family, Walter Rothschild was a Zionist and a close friend of Chaim Weizmann. Birth: England, 1868, Death: England, 1937
 Chaim Weizmann, who later became the first president of Israel, was a Russian Zionist and chemist who was arguably the most influential figure in procuring the Balfour Declaration. Birth: Russian Empire (Now Belarus), 1874, Death: Israel, 1952
 David Lloyd George, The prime minister in the coalition government between 1916 and 1922, David Lloyd George’s government issued the Balfour Declaration. Birth: England, 1863, Death: Wales, 1945
 Inset Bottom Left: Mark Sykes, known for co-authoring, along with Francois Georges-Picot, the infamous Anglo-French deal to divide up the Middle East after WWI, Mark Sykes’ involvement in the Balfour Declaration is often overlooked. Birth: London, 1879, Death: Paris, 1919
 Inset Bottom, Second from Left: Herbert Samuel is said to be the first Jewish Cabinet minister in England in 1909.
 Birth: England, 1870, Death: England, 1963
 Inset Bottom, Third from Left: Nahum Sokolow, A Polish writer and diplomat, a lesser-known key player in the Balfour Declaration, though his behind-the-scenes work had a major impact on the issuing of the statement. Birth: Poland, 1859, Death: London, 1936
 Inset Bottom, Right: Key photo from the era of the Balfour Declaration outside the British Parliament

During World War I, the British government issued the Balfour Declaration in 1917[32], which expressed support for the establishment of a national home for the Jewish people in Palestine. After the war, the League of Nations granted Britain a mandate over Palestine, which included a commitment to facilitate the establishment of a Jewish homeland.  However, the mandate was not universally accepted by the local Palestinian Arab population, who had their own aspirations for independence and sovereignty. Tensions between Jewish and Arab communities in Palestine continued to escalate throughout the 1930s and 1940s, and eventually led to a full-scale conflict after the end of World War II.  In 1947, the United Nations proposed a plan to partition Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states, but this plan was rejected by the Arab leadership and led to the outbreak of the Arab-Israeli War in 1948. After the war, Israel declared its independence and was recognized by many countries, while the Palestinian territories came under the control of Jordan and Egypt. The assignment of Palestine to the Jews after the war was thus the result of a combination of historical, political, and ideological factors, and it continues to be a source of conflict and controversy in the region to this day.

The Balfour Declaration of 1917 was a statement issued by the British government expressing support for the establishment of a “national home for the Jewish people” in Palestine. The declaration was named after Arthur Balfour, the British Foreign Secretary at the time, who issued the statement in a letter to Lord Rothschild, a prominent British Zionist. The Balfour Declaration was a significant moment in the history of the Zionist movement, which had been advocating for the creation of a Jewish homeland in Palestine since the late 19th century. The declaration gave the Zionist movement a major boost and helped to rally support for the idea of a Jewish homeland among Jewish communities around the world.  At the same time, the Balfour Declaration also raised concerns among the Arab population in Palestine, who had their own aspirations for independence and sovereignty. Many Arabs saw the declaration as a threat to their own rights and interests in the region.  The Balfour Declaration was eventually incorporated into the text of the British Mandate for Palestine, which was granted to Britain by the League of Nations after World War I. The mandate included a commitment to facilitate the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine, but also recognized the rights and interests of the local Arab population.

The Balfour Declaration was a significant moment in the history of the Zionist movement and the Jewish people, but it also had important implications for the broader political and social dynamics of the region, which continue to be felt to this day.  In 2017, Palestinians around the world are marking 100 years since the Balfour Declaration was issued on November 2, 1917. The statement came in the form of a letter from Britain’s then foreign secretary, Arthur Balfour, addressed to Lionel Walter Rothschild, a figurehead of the British Jewish community. But the declaration was by no means formulated and decided upon overnight – rather, it had been in the works for years, involved many people and was drafted numerous times before being sent out. The pledge is generally viewed as one of the main catalysts of the ethnic cleansing of Palestine in 1948 and the creation of the Zionist state of Israel. Al Jazeera[33] examines the key players involved in realising the Balfour Declaration.

Over a period of time, the name “Palestine” has been used to refer to different political and geographic entities in the region, including the Roman province of Palestine, the British Mandate of Palestine, and the modern-day Palestinian territories. Today, the term is often used to describe the broader region, including Israel and the Palestinian territories, although its use remains a subject of debate and controversy among different groups and communities.

At this point, it is also relevant to discus the terminology and definitions of terms used in contemporary literature when referring to Palestine. The brief definitions are:

• Gaza: A coastal strip of land on the eastern Mediterranean, bordered by Israel and Egypt. It is home to a Palestinian population and has been the site of conflict between Israel and Palestinian militant groups, particularly Hamas, which has controlled Gaza since 2007.
• West Bank: A territory in the Middle East, bordered by Israel and Jordan, and home to a Palestinian population. It has been occupied by Israel since the 1967 Six-Day War, and its future status is a subject of ongoing political debate and controversy. The West Bank is a region located in the eastern part of the State of Israel, and it is bordered by the Jordan River to the east. The term “West Bank” comes from the fact that the region is located on the west bank of the Jordan River.
• The term “East Bank” refers to the other side of the Jordan River, which is located in the country of Jordan. While the West Bank is under Israeli military occupation, the East Bank is an independent country, with its own government and political system. The East Bank refers to the territory located on the eastern side of the Jordan River, which is the country of Jordan.
• Hebron: A city in the southern part of the West Bank, which is home to both Israeli settlers and a Palestinian population. It is a site of religious significance for Jews, Muslims, and Christians, and has been a site of conflict between Israeli settlers and Palestinian residents.
• Land of Israel: A term used to refer to the region historically inhabited by Jewish communities, including the modern-day state of Israel and parts of the West Bank.
• Zionism: A political and social movement that emerged in the late 19^th century, which advocated for the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine.
• Zionist State: A term sometimes used to refer to the state of Israel, which was established in 1948 as a result of the Zionist movement.
• State of Israel: A country in the Middle East, which was established in 1948 and is home to a Jewish-majority population.
• Occupied Territories: A term used to refer to the territories of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip, which are currently under Israeli military occupation.
• Regions of West Bank: The West Bank is divided into three main administrative regions: Areas A, B, and C. Area A is under the control of the Palestinian Authority, Area B is jointly controlled by Israel and the Palestinian Authority, and Area C is under full Israeli control.
• Ramallah: A city in the central West Bank, which serves as the administrative capital of the Palestinian Authority.
• Hamas: A Palestinian militant group and political party, which controls the Gaza Strip and is designated as a terrorist organization by several countries. Hamas, PLO, and Al Fatah are all political organizations that operate in the Palestinian territories, and they have different ideological and religious backgrounds. Hamas is a Palestinian Islamist political organization that was founded in 1987. It has its roots in the Muslim Brotherhood, a Sunni Islamist organization founded in Egypt in 1928. Hamas is known for its militant activities and its belief in the establishment of an Islamic state in Palestine. It draws its support primarily from Palestinian Muslims, particularly those in Gaza.  The PLO (Palestine Liberation Organization) is a secular nationalist organization that was founded in 1964. It was initially created with the goal of liberating Palestine from Israeli occupation, and it has historically been led by secular leaders. While the PLO has had connections to various Arab and Muslim states, it is not a religious organization and does not have a particular religious orientation.
• Al Fatah is another secular nationalist organization that was founded in the 1950s, that was active in the 1960s and 1970s, and which played a significant role in the early years of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). It is currently the largest faction within the PLO. It has historically been led by secular leaders and has a secular nationalist ideology.
• PLO: The Palestine Liberation Organization, a political and militant organization that was founded in 1964 with the aim of representing Palestinian interests and achieving a Palestinian state.
• Arafat: A reference to Yasser Arafat, the long-time leader of the PLO and the first president of the Palestinian Authority. Yasser Arafat was a prominent Palestinian political leader who served as the chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and later as the President of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA). Yasser Arafat was a key figure in the Palestinian nationalist movement and played a major role in the efforts to establish a Palestinian state. He was born in Cairo, Egypt in 1929 and spent much of his life fighting for Palestinian independence. Arafat was involved in various military and political activities, including the founding of the Fatah movement in the 1950s, which later became the dominant faction within the PLO.  Arafat was a controversial figure, and his leadership was marked by both successes and failures. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1994 for his efforts to negotiate a peace agreement with Israel, but he was also accused of supporting terrorism and was criticized for his handling of the Second Intifada. He died in 2004, possibly due to poisoning and his legacy continues to be debated among Palestinians and Israelis alike. Yasser Arafat was born in Egypt, to a Palestinian family from Jerusalem. His birth name was Mohammed Abdel Rahman Abdel Raouf Arafat al-Qudwa al-Husseini, but he later adopted the name Yasser. Arafat grew up in Cairo and attended university in Egypt, where he studied engineering.  He became the chairman of the PLO in 1969 and held the position until his death in 2004. Throughout his life, Arafat was a key figure in the Palestinian nationalist movement and played a major role in the efforts to establish a Palestinian state. He was known for his charismatic leadership and his ability to rally support among Palestinians and the Arab world. Arafat was also a controversial figure, with critics accusing him of supporting terrorism and corruption. Arafat was married and had one daughter. He died in November 2004 in a French military hospital, and his death was officially attributed to a stroke. there have been reports and claims that Yasser Arafat was poisoned. Arafat fell ill in October 2004 and was flown to a French military hospital, where he died on November 11, 2004. The official cause of his death was a stroke, but there have been persistent rumours that he was poisoned. In 2012, Al Jazeera released the results of an investigation that claimed to have found high levels of polonium-210, a radioactive isotope, on Arafat’s personal belongings. The investigation suggested that Arafat may have been poisoned with the substance. Following the investigation, Arafat’s body was exhumed in 2012 and samples were taken for testing.

In November 2013, Swiss scientists announced that their tests had found high levels of polonium-210 on Arafat’s remains. The scientists said that the levels of the substance were at least 18 times higher than normal and that the results “support the possibility of Arafat’s poisoning with polonium-210.”  Polonium is a rare and highly radioactive metal. It is a silvery-grey metal that tarnishes easily in air, and it is one of the most volatile and reactive elements known. Polonium-210, a radioactive isotope of polonium, is particularly dangerous and can emit alpha particles that can damage cells and cause cancer. Polonium-210 is used in a number of industrial and scientific applications, including in static eliminators, sources of neutrons for research, and as a heat source in spacecraft. However, it is also a highly toxic substance that can be deadly if ingested or inhaled, and it has been used as a poison in some high-profile cases, including the assassination of Russian dissident Alexander Litvinenko in 2006.  As to who would want Arafat dead, remains elusive. There is no clear consensus on who may have wanted Yasser Arafat dead, and his death remains a subject of controversy and speculation. Some have suggested that Israel may have been behind his death, while others have pointed to possible involvement by rival Palestinian factions or outside parties. However, the exact circumstances of Arafat’s death and whether he was actually poisoned remain a matter of debate and speculation. The Palestinian Authority has called for an international investigation into Arafat’s death, but no definitive conclusion has been reached.  The question often raised is that does Polonium causes a stroke. While polonium-210 is a radioactive substance that can cause a variety of health effects depending on the level and duration of exposure, it is not typically associated with causing a stroke. In cases of acute radiation exposure to polonium-210, symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, hair loss, and damage to the liver, kidneys, and bone marrow. Ingestion or inhalation of polonium-210 can also lead to an increased risk of cancer over time. However, the specific effects of polonium-210 on an individual’s health depend on a number of factors, including the dose and route of exposure.  Also is the question as to who manufactures Polonium-210? This is a radioactive element that is not made by humans. It is a naturally occurring element that is found in trace amounts in soil and rocks. However, polonium-210 can also be produced in nuclear reactors or through the irradiation of Bismuth-209. Because of its high radioactivity, polonium-210 is not produced commercially in large quantities and is primarily used for scientific research or other specialized applications. While polonium-210 has been used in the past as a poison, it is not typically used as a weapon of mass destruction. Its high radioactivity makes it difficult to handle and transport, and it would not be an effective weapon for causing widespread damage. However, polonium-210 could potentially be used as a component in a radiological weapon, also known as a “dirty bomb,” in which conventional explosives are used to disperse radioactive material over a wide area.

• Knesset: The unicameral legislature of the state of Israel, which has 120 members and is located in Jerusalem. It is responsible for passing laws and overseeing the work of the government.
• Jerusalem is located in Israel, specifically in the central part of the country. It is the capital of Israel and is considered a holy city by Jews, Christians, and Muslims.
• The Golan Heights are located in the northern part of Israel, near the border with Syria. They were captured by Israel during the 1967 Six-Day War and have been under Israeli control since then. The international community does not recognize Israel’s claim to the Golan Heights and considers it to be occupied Syrian territory.
• The main Palestinian region is called the West Bank, which is also known as the Occupied Palestinian Territories. It is located in the eastern part of Israel and is bordered by Israel to the west, Jordan to the east, and Jerusalem to the south. The West Bank is currently under Israeli military occupation, with Israel controlling the majority of the region’s land and resources. The Palestinian Authority, a governing body recognized by the international community, has some limited administrative control over parts of the West Bank. However, the ultimate authority over the region rests with the Israeli government and military.

In terms of who controls what, the situation is complex and often contested. Israel exercises control over its own territory, as well as the Occupied Territories of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, although the latter is controlled by Hamas. The Palestinian Authority exercises limited control over parts of the West Bank, while Israel maintains overall security control in the region. The status of Jerusalem is also a contentious issue, with Israel considering it its capital and the Palestinian Authority seeking to establish it as the capital of a future Palestinian state.

There are several other armed factions and groups who have “double agents” amongst the Palestinian activists, that are active in Palestine, reporting to Israeli government. Some of the most prominent ones are:

• Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ): A militant group that operates primarily in the Gaza Strip and is also designated as a terrorist organization by Israel, the United States, and other countries.
• Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades: A militant group associated with the Fatah political faction that is active in the West Bank.
• Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP): A Marxist-Leninist political and militant group that is active in both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
• Islamic State (ISIS): A Sunni extremist group that has carried out attacks in the Gaza Strip and the Sinai Peninsula, but is not known to have a significant presence in the Palestinian territories. The political and security situation in Palestine is complex and fluid, and there may be other armed factions that emerge or evolve over time.

On the other hand, Mossad is the national intelligence agency of Israel responsible for intelligence gathering, covert operations, and counterterrorism. It was officially established in 1949, following the establishment of the State of Israel.  Mossad is organized into several departments, including:

• Collections Department – responsible for intelligence gathering and analysis.
• Political Action and Liaison Department – responsible for forging relationships with foreign intelligence agencies and foreign governments.
• Special Operations Division – responsible for covert operations such as sabotage, assassinations, and espionage.
• Technology Department – responsible for developing and utilizing advanced technology for intelligence and security purposes.
• Liaison and Cooperation Department – responsible for cooperating with foreign intelligence agencies and maintaining international relationships.
• PsyOps Department – responsible for psychological operations such as propaganda and disinformation campaigns.

Mossad is known for its highly effective intelligence gathering and covert operations, and has been involved in numerous high-profile operations throughout its history. However, its actions have also been controversial and have at times been criticised for their morality and legality.  While there is strong cooperation and exchange of information between the US intelligence agencies and Mossad, Mossad was not formed or trained by the US. Mossad is the national intelligence agency of Israel, established in 1949, and is responsible for intelligence gathering, covert operations, and counterterrorism activities. Mossad has its own training programs and recruits and trains its own operatives.  The precursor of Mossad was the “Central Institute for Coordination,” which was established in 1949 by the Israeli government to coordinate the intelligence activities of various agencies, including the Shin Bet (Internal Security Agency) and the military intelligence branch known as Aman. The Central Institute for Coordination was later renamed as Mossad in 1951.

It is also pertinent to list the Prime Ministers of Israel from the time of Inception of the Zionist State, noting the each of them had their own brand of persecution of the Palestinians over their reign, the tragedy of the string of antagonists is that their tyranny has increased exponentially over the past 75 years, augmented by United Stated, Britain and in the 21^st century, even the European Union.

The list of the Prime Ministers of Israel, in chronological order:

1. David Ben-Gurion (1948-1953, 1955-1963)
2. Moshe Sharett (1953-1955)
3. Levi Eshkol (1963-1969)
4. Golda Meir (1969-1974)
5. Yitzhak Rabin (1974-1977, 1992-1995)
6. Menachem Begin (1977-1983)
7. Yitzhak Shamir (1983-1984, 1986-1992)
8. Shimon Peres (1984-1986, 1995-1996)
9. Benjamin Netanyahu (1996-1999, 2009-2021)
10. Ehud Barak (1999-2001)
11. Ariel Sharon (2001-2006)
12. Ehud Olmert (2006-2009)
13. Naftali Bennett (2021-2022)
14. Benjamin Netanyahu 2023 ongoing re-elected having formed a coalition with Ultra-Right.

The Bottom Line is that as the year 2023 progresses, the global communities of good people, bad people,  peaceful people and warring people have emburdened planet earth with conflicts, brutal battles, power displays with full scale military drills, causing fear and provocation, forming alliances where there were none previously, media misinformation and disinformation, threats of nuclear deployment of weapons of mass destruction, insurrections; natural catastrophes of wind, flood, and fire; global occurrence of communicable and non-communicable diseases; heinous crime, to the accompaniment of brutal killings of defenceless, geriatric humans, rampant pandemic of corruption, financial manipulation by big banks and corporates, climate change and its effects on impoverished nations, big pharma interference into epidemiology of disease patterns and all of those human misdemeanours that generate depression, suicide, national decohesion, religious fanaticism, nationalistic fervour stirred up by sectarian governments, causing gross distraction from the goals and very purpose of the essence of our lives, and the goals we hope to achieve for the elusive peace and security of ourselves as well as our loved ones.  Noting these challenges, it can be stoically concluded that the Palestinians have never ever achieved any of the aforementioned goals, due to the killing fields of Palestine, principally tilled by the apartheid state of Israel, assisted by United states and western powers, as an unholy alliance against the citizenry of the Holy Land of the Abrahamic Faiths, both Christians and Muslims.  The enemy finds strength in distracting our attention from divine matters in the Kingdom of the prophets, to support their divide and rule policies, ultimately to further their personal agenda of imperial plundering and colonial expropriation of the occupying forces, which is what the Israeli Government ha exactly done over the past 75 years.  It is sad to note that the oppression, maiming, killings and genocidal activities will result in the total annihilation of the Palestinians in their own land much to the pleasure not only of Israel but “His Masters Voice”[34], as well.  No oppressive, tyrannical and brutal regimes last forever.  Their end. must inevitably come, as demonstrated repeatedly in history and contemporary times, with ethnic cleansing and genocide, as evidenced in Israel, which the west has consistently denied.[35]  According to the ancient Indian Theory of Social Change, Sat Yuga, the Age of Truth, during the Period of King Harrshchandrra[36], and Treta Yuga[37], 0r World Periods, the Period of King Rama[38]. It is narrated, that under whose good governance, “there were no physical, mental and spiritual sufferings to anybody. The citizenry love each other, no one died in early age of his life; all people were free from sorrow, anguish, mental pain, disease, poverty and ignorance.[39]  However, this utopian state[40], a term coined by Sir Thomas More for his 1516 book Utopia, describing a fictional island society in the New World. However, it may also denote an intentional community.  This is however, a dream, never to materialise as a reality, unless United States falls, like the fall of former Soviet Union (USSR)[41], or withdraws its continued support for Israel, which has trademarked itself, with premeditated murderous activities, with great impunity, disrupting peace in the process of trying to eradicate the State of Palestine and its rightful citizens, the Palestinians, by killing them.

Ethnic Cleansing : The funerals of Palestinian Children killed by Israeli air attacks using American F16 fighter Jets

References:

[1] Personal quote by author April 2023

[2] https://www.counterpunch.org/author/raouf-halaby/

[3] https://www.counterpunch.org/author/raouf-halaby/

[4] https://www.counterpunch.org/2022/12/23/into-the-21st-century-the-killing-fields-of-palestine-continue/#:~:text=happening%20in%20Palestine%2C%20a%20land%20coveted%20by%20greedy%20colonial%20adventurists%20who%20keep%20accusing%20God%20of%20some%20real%20estate%20deal%20favoring%20the%20interlopers%20of%20times%20past%3F%20That%20same%20God%20is%20accused%20of%20having%20ordered%20the%20killing%20of%20entire%20cities%20and%20villages%20to%20appease%20some%20demented%20fetish%20for%20His%20people.

[5] https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%202:16-18&version=NKJV

[6] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zvika_Fogel

[7] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayelet_Shaked

[8] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/12/17/two-palestinian-brothers-killed-after-settler-runs-them-over

[9] https://www.christianity.com/wiki/jesus-christ/what-does-it-mean-that-jesus-is-the-prince-of-peace.html

[10] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merchants_of_death

[11] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upper_Paleolithic

[12] https://www.learnreligions.com/who-were-the-canaanites-248830

[13] https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/world-history/world-history-beginnings/ancient-egypt-hittites/a/the-hittites#:~:text=Overview%201%20The%20Hittites%20were%20an%20ancient%20Anatolian,Egypt%20produced%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20first%20known%20peace%20treaty.

[14] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assyria

[15] https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/4451665/jewish/Nebuchadnezzar.htm

[16] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persians

[17] https://www.bing.com/search?q=kingdom+of+israel+(united+monarchy)&filters=dtbk:%22MCFvdmVydmlldyFvdmVydmlldyE0MmU4NDYwZC0yMzU0LTkxNjEtN2Q5Yi0yNjRlYTE5MmU4NWE%3d%22+sid:%2242e8460d-2354-9161-7d9b-264ea192e85a%22+tphint:%22f%22&FORM=DEPNAV

[18] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David

[19] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solomon

[20] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ptolemaic_dynasty

[21] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seleucid_Empire

[22] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Empire

[23] https://www.britannica.com/topic/Natufian-culture#:~:text=Natufian%20culture%2C%20Mesolithic%20culture%20of%20Palestine%20and%20southern,and%20stone%20mortars%20and%20pestles%20for%20grinding%20it.

[24] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amorites#:~:text=The%20term%20Amorites%20is%20used%20in%20the%20Bible,the%20land%20east%20and%20west%20of%20the%20Jordan.

[25] https://bing.com/alink/link?url=https%3a%2f%2fwww.newadvent.org%2fcathen%2f12041a.htm&source=serp-rr&h=6G9C%2fTHoKRqJhCBFCOEIaSKgobBCOHos5yQtjCwgseg%3d&p=kcoffcialwebsite

[26] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arameans

[27] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menhir

[28] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_the_Holy_Sepulchre

[29] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ottoman_Empire_in_World_War_I

[30] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosque_of_Omar_(Jerusalem)

[31] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El-Jazzar_Mosque

[32] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balfour_Declaration

[33] https://interactive.aljazeera.com/aje/2017/behind-balfour/index.html

[34] https://www.transcend.org/tms/2021/09/his-masters-voice-his-masters-eyes-and-his-masters-ears/

[35] https://www.transcend.org/tms/2023/05/global-peace-disruptions-multipronged-treatment-for-this-cancerous-malady/

[36] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harishchandra

[37] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treta_Yuga#:~:text=Treta%20Yuga%2C%20in%20Hinduism%2C%20is%20the%20second%20and,Yuga%20lasts%20for%201%2C296%2C000%20years%20%283%2C600%20divine%20years%29.

[38] https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=rama&cbn=KnowledgeCard&stid=99475f3d-fd7a-40d7-9b24-2ee1ba1b3092&FORM=KCHIMM

[39] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rama

[40] https://www.britannica.com/topic/utopia

[41] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dissolution_of_the_Soviet_Union

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READ PART 2

Professor G. Hoosen M. Vawda (Bsc; MBChB; PhD.Wits) is a member of the TRANSCEND Network for Peace Development Environment.
Director: Glastonbury Medical Research Centre; Community Health and Indigent Programme Services; Body Donor Foundation SA.
Principal Investigator: Multinational Clinical Trials
Consultant: Medical and General Research Ethics; Internal Medicine and Clinical Psychiatry:UKZN, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine
Executive Member: Inter Religious Council KZN SA
Public Liaison: Medical Misadventures
Activism: Justice for All
Email: vawda@ukzn.ac.za

This article originally appeared on Transcend Media Service (TMS) on 22 May 2023.

Anticopyright: Editorials and articles originated on TMS may be freely reprinted, disseminated, translated and used as background material, provided an acknowledgement and link to the source, TMS: Peace Disruption (Part 1): Palestine’s Killing Fields–Ignominious Beginnings, is included. Thank you.

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