To The End of Terrorism

I just came across something remarkable on YouTube- Walid Shoebat, a former terrorist, speaks his mind about the real roots of terror . Just as you may have suspected, terrorism isn't just a response to policies or injustices. all that hatred and violence isn't just a 'response' the way the US civil rights movement was, the way Ghandi's movement was. It's something different, it has different goals. Now I can't agree with all of Israel's actions, as they can stigmatise peaceful Palestinians who just want a better life. But the terrorism is far worse, as it's behaviour is so irrational and self-destructive, so 'sick'.

It is truly shocking to see the sheer hatred that is being preached in radicalised mosques, the racism that has poisoned their religion. I am pretty sure that authentic Islam, or should I say the Islam that God would intend if he indeed established that faith, is not a racist creed (although the presence of dubious phrases in the Koran does at times make me wonder). All this anti-Jewish propaganda, all this talk of extreme judgments leading souls to heaven and hell, and the lies of going to heaven by making others suffer- all of this is a darkness sweeping the Islamic world, much like the effect of Sauron you can see in Lord of the Rings. Hatred is never a force for good- the spiritually clear-headed can see this. People who fought Nazism didn't hate Germans as such, they hated the corrupt ideology, the spiritual darkness of it. Which is why we now have peace with Germany, but could never make peace with the mercifully brief period of Nazi rule.

Now I am willing to admit that the most extreme of the 'Zionists' themselves have a destructive ideology, one that is antithetical to the spirit of the Jewish Faith. Also, that colonialism left a chain of ludicrous borders and damaged egos in this region, egos that are unlikely to heal soon. But, from what I can gather, this has never become the norm amongst Jewish people or Israelis, who have stayed relatively rational. Meanwhile, in much, unfortunately perhaps even most of the Arab world, you see Jews being demonised much the way they were in Europe, especially (but not only) the way this happened in the Nazi regime. You also have a commonly held, genocidal notion that Israel shouldn't even be talked to, but rather should be totally destroyed, despite the United nations specifically granting them a state, however short-sighted the borders given were.

So you have the situation where Israel, despite patterns of vengeful abuse from some of her citizens, really wants to live in peace with her neighbours and, as I have always promoted, establish peaceful cultural and economic ties. Meanwhile, many surrounding her pray and work for her destruction, even in shockingly blood-thirsty ways, thinking that this will get them into heaven. Now I don't want to stereotype here- I am sure that there are many rationally-minded, reasonable Arabs who want a peaceful future and are happy to co-exist. It would imply forgiveness, as many Arabs have suffered from Israel being established. But only through such reconciliation can things move on.

The same goes for Israel- they would have to forgive all the barbarous terrorist acts and all the lies and slander leveled at them. From what I can gather, Israel has a lot more to forgive, as it's horrible to be lied about and they made clear from the very beginning that they were happy to have a mixed state, with both Jews and Arabs (in fact they do, which is different from the Arab countries, who forbade any Jews from living there, a 'fait acomplit' that the media does it's best to hide. But the the Israelis do seem to be prepared to do this.

So what's the big hold-up? Why do the negotiations always fail, why is Israel never allowed to be considered a 'normal state'? Is it because of the injustice, the policies? Partly, yes, but without terrorism ending it is pretty hard to see them changing altogether, as they are part of a defensive strategy, removal of which may make some left-wing people happy in Europe and the BBC, but in the current situation exposes Israel to being targeted as weak and actually increasing terrorism. (Or militancy, as the PC has it.) Golda Meir is often held up as an example of an admirable Israeli ruler by European left-wingers and she does seem to be a great woman. But the fact that Israel was forcefully attacked to the point at which she was almost taken over makes me think that, for now, it just isn't safe to follow that path for Israel. Better to annoy some European left-wingers and live, than follow their advice and die, as unlike in video-games, you don't get a second chance.

So what's the hold-up? Why is it not safe to do a Golder Meir, why all the hatred? It isn't just policies and politics. It isn't that the religions can't co-exist if followed normally. It is addiction. An addiction to hatred and violence. Part of this
is in the sadly mislead Muslim youth, who are made all kinds of false promises of where such hatred will lead them. To paradise, where they'll have their 77 virgins. This has become a whole subculture, which moderate Muslims find it almost impossible to control, as they are not considered, 'cool' enough to be an influence. Now, there is nothing cool about violence, but it is almost natural for young males to have aggressive tendencies, which can be directed towards wars, careers, drug-use, or this. The so-called 'radical' imams are to blame here and they are literally profiting on terrorism, as this is how they make their name and their living. It's not real religion, at least in my book, but whilst people are going to listen to them, they feel, why should they stop. It is all an addiction... a drug addiction. The saddest thing is it gets in the way of humanely solving very real problems, problems that are often solved in other parts of the world.

However, there is also another audience to all of this... the media. Violence makes front pages, reasoned arguments don't. A successful war, such as the Falklands War, or the Bosnian campaign, can raise a politicians; stature, receiving far more media attention than a gentle peace process. Then of course, who can be blamed for the media's shortcomings, hungry for viewers and attention as they are, but... we ourselves. Yes, by buying newspapers or tv viewing time 'laced' with terroristic violence, we help keep it a prominent force in the world. We give the immature the attention they seek, simultaneously robbing those moderates who truly deserve it of airtime. I'd rather listen to Nelson Madella (a reformed terrorist, it must be noted), than Bin Ladin. But, without scouring the airwaves or the net, I just can't. I'd rather know what Ghandi has to say than Hitler. But documentaries on him are far harder to come by.

We need to end this addiction to violence, to solving problems through force alone, before it is too late for all of us. We have to stop or arrest anyone preaching violence in a religious place- we can't let anyone use the cover of religion to spread hatred. We need a more responsible media that, whilst it covers the psychotic violence of the terrorists and the military attempts to root them out, also gives airtime to moderate people who authentically care about others. Who really want to make the world better for everyone. Not just world political leaders and experts, also intellectual leaders and artists, people who understand deeply the feelings involved here. Most of all, we need an education system that doesn't just preach peace, it actually encourages it. Whilst some people need this more than others, it's something we all need, something humanity needs. Before it is too late.