Who Stands in Solidarity with Palestine in Africa?

The failure of the UN in the current crisis is contributing to its eventual downfall, while Israel’s actions are eroding its moral standing. As anger fills the streets, major world powers are engaged in a strange game of chicken.

It is time for a serious discussion about how long the rest of the world will watch as western Europe and their settler ancestors continue to cause havoc on the planet.

There is a genuine risk that the rollercoaster journey of the last 500 years will end with a nuclear conflict in the Middle East or central Asia.

There is also a global decline in the quality of human life due to planetary destruction.

Europe’s history of conflict continues in the Middle East, dating back to the destruction of the Ottoman Empire by Britain and France, motivated by their interest in oil.

The US later took over, after western Europe had depleted itself during the Second World War, which was fought in the Middle East as well.

This historical pattern of conflicts typically begins with smaller, contained wars, in which innocent lives are lost and new weapons are tested, leading up to a larger conflict.

The two World Wars were preceded by conflicts in the Balkans and the Spanish Civil War, respectively.

Ukraine could serve as a testing ground for a future world war, and the ongoing Middle East conflict could be a precursor to the main event.

The League of Nations’ failure to handle the Italian invasion of Ethiopia in 1935 discredited the organization, ultimately leading to the start of World War II.

The League of Nations was established to prevent another devastating war after the bloodshed of World War I, but its inability to act against Italian expansionism in Ethiopia allowed Hitler to believe he could pursue his aggressive territorial ambitions.

Similarly, the United Nations is now facing challenges in its handling of conflicts like the Russian invasion of Ukraine, largely due to its failure to effectively address the Israeli-Palestinian question.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), created in 1949 to assist Palestinian refugees, is evidence of the UN’s inability to fulfill its mission. It is older than the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), which deals with refugees globally.

This failure is undeniable.

The current crisis traces back to the Oslo Accords in the 1990s, which signaled a shift in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. However, Israel’s justifications for its actions have been undermined, leaving Zionism politically exposed.

Israel and America would have had to create a group like Hamas if it didn’t already exist, as it serves as a justification for their opposition to Palestinian nationalism. Israeli intelligence played a role in the creation of Hamas as a counterforce to the PLO.

The reciprocal acknowledgement of Palestinian rights never occurred, and Israel continued its occupation and settlement expansion in violation of the Oslo Accords. This led to the rise of Hamas, which took a more hostile stance towards Israel.

The US has consistently shielded Israel from international criticism and sanctions by using its veto power in the Security Council.

However, if the US’s unwavering support for Israel leads to the collapse of international institutions like the UN, America will face the consequences it can no longer handle.

Before that happens, it seems that all parties involved in the Middle East crisis are playing each other. The true target of the US may be Iran, and Israel could be a tool in its efforts to undermine Iranian influence.

This wouldn’t be the first time the US has targeted Iran, as it played a role in the overthrow of Iran’s democratically elected government in 1953 and sponsored a war against Iran in the 1980s.

Netanyahu may believe that he can push Gaza residents into the Egyptian desert and annex the territory in exchange for assisting in the removal of Iranian allies like Hezbollah.

However, such a move could have serious consequences for Israel, as its reliance on US military aid and support from Arab powers would be at risk.

Israel should remember the history of European hatred towards Jews and not trust the West’s proclaimed support, which contradicts centuries of experience. White Power has no allies.

As an American commentator once said: “America will not stop giving its absolute support to Israel, until the day it does.”

There is a suspicion that Israel could become a casualty of America’s ambitions to destroy Iran.

If this is true, promising land in Gaza to Israel could be a parallel to the promise of Kuwait to Saddam, in exchange for assistance in removing Iranian allies in the region.

This would lead to a situation where Israel, like Saddam, is betrayed by the US and ultimately faces its downfall.

This conflict involves more than just Arabs versus Zionists, with various Shia elements also playing important roles.

Saudi Arabia, in particular, has been normalizing relations with Israel and may view Israeli assistance in countering Iran as beneficial. However, the collapse of Israel may also relieve the Kingdom of its complicity in the oppression of Palestinians.

The ability of the United States to effectively wage war against Iran is questionable, and Israel may struggle to fight both Hezbollah and Hamas simultaneously without American assistance.

Russia’s response to threats against its ally Iran and its military bases in Syria could be significant in shaping the conflict.

The anger of the Arab countries’ populations in response to the destruction in Gaza and the West Bank will also play a role in shaping the conflict.

Israeli citizens are increasingly questioning their government’s actions, thanks to social media and the emergence of a younger generation with different perspectives.

If America renews its friendship with Arab powers, Israel will struggle to maintain itself as a member of the Middle East community without the military aid it receives from the US.

The West’s first strategic alliance in the region was with the House of Saud, before the creation of Israel.

Turkey’s actions as a NATO member and leader of the Sunni world will play a significant role in the conflict, given its proximity to the belligerents and its own interests.

In all of this, the interests of the ordinary Palestinian will once again be neglected, just as they have been throughout history.

The Palestinian people are consistently overlooked in global calculations, allowing superpowers, regional powers, and local actors to advance their agendas at their expense.

If current postures are maintained, this could escalate into a world war involving various marginalized peoples with their own agendas.

The world powers will pay the price for disregarding their own rules and dismissing the concerns of a small people.

Kalundi Serumaga, an activist, cultural critic, and writer, emphasizes the restoration of Native African voice and values. He highlights the injustices faced by Palestinians throughout history and the need for their voices to be heard. He resides in Kampala, Uganda, and his work can be found on Patreon and Twitter.