Fan Hongda, an expert on Middle East issues and a professor at the Institute of Middle East Studies at Shanghai University of Foreign Chinese, often sits quietly at the gate of Damascus in Jerusalem's Old City, observing The Coming and Going of Palestinians and Jews. "They are not people of the same world at all, or more appropriately, they have been molded into different people."
He visited the area and spent five months near the Old City of Jerusalem. The Palestinian-Israeli conflict, which has erupted again in recent days, has aroused concern in the international community. In Van Hungda's view, the conflict has become part of Palestinian and Jewish life in East Jerusalem, but the war alone will not solve the problems of both sides.
On the 14th, the Reporter of Nanfang Daily and Nanfang + interviewed Fan Hongda. As a scholar of the Middle East and a witness to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, what is the essence of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in his eyes? Where will the conflict go?
The issue of religion is not at the heart of the Palestinian-Israeli contradiction
Southern Daily, South+: Before the current Gaza-Israel military conflict, the core area of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict was still located on the Temple Mount in the old city of Jerusalem, does this mean that religious contradictions are still one of the sharpest contradictions in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict? Have there been new problems that have intensified the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in recent years?
Van Hungda: Although there have been serious clashes between the Israeli police and the Palestinians in the Al-Aqsa Mosque district of the Islamic holy site in the Old City of Jerusalem, this does not mean that religious tensions are one of the sharpest contradictions in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
In fact, the influence of religious factors on many issues in the Middle East has declined so far. To a large extent, the Al-Aqsa mosque district merely provides a forum for conflict between Palestinians and Israeli police, and the key contradictions between Palestinians and Israel are largely outside the Al-Aqsa mosque area.
Palestine and Israel are already a pair of seriously unbalanced rivals, and Palestinians are increasingly unable to defend their interests. In this case, the US Trump administration's announcement of recognizing Jerusalem as israel's capital and throwing out the so-called "Abraham Agreement" to solve the Palestinian problem, which seriously harms the interests of the Palestinians, have further harmed the interests of the Palestinians. The "two-State solution" to the palestinian question, recognized by the international community for decades, has encountered serious challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the already difficult situation for Palestinians. This is coupled with the constant erosion and occupation of Palestinian land and houses by Israeli Jews. Difficulties continue to stack, and there is little hope for the future. All this has intensified the dissatisfaction of some Palestinians with Israel, not to mention the persistence of Israel's repressive policies towards Palestine.
Conflict has become a part of life
Southern Daily, Southern+: In terms of your experience in Jerusalem, what is the attitude of the local ethnic groups towards this kind of conflict? What was their attitude towards the war?
Van Hung Da: Jerusalem is not only a religious holy city, but also one of the most politically sensitive cities in the world. This trait is also not too evident in West Jerusalem, where most of the people living there are Jews. But in East Jerusalem, with the planned expansion of the Jewish population of Israel and some Orthodox Jewish organizations into East Jerusalem, small daily frictions have been common over the years in some areas of East Jerusalem where Palestinians and Jews coexist or intersect. In particular, it is worth mentioning that the annual Israeli "Jerusalem Day" celebration procession, the Palestinian "Disaster Day" commemoration, and some religious activities also periodically highlight the contradictions between Palestinians and Jews. In East Jerusalem, both Jews and Palestinians are not surprised by the current conflict. Even, for some on both sides, the conflict has become a part of their lives. Of course, except for a few people, few people like war. For it has been made clear in the past that war alone does not solve the problems of both sides.
They are portrayed as different people
Southern Daily, Southern+: In your observation, what is the attitude of Israeli Arab Israelis towards the Palestinian-Israeli conflict? Will this escalation of conflict plunge Arab Israelis into a deeper identity dilemma?
Van Hung Da: To a large extent, The Arab citizens of Israel are an alternative presence in this "Jewish state." In terms of area of residence, education system, and job opportunities, there are clear differences between Arabs and Jews in Israel. Coupled with the fact that some citizens of Arab descent are also inextricably linked to Palestine, the feelings of Israeli Arab citizens in the event of a Palestinian-Israeli conflict are somewhat mixed, and they often do not have the trust of the Jews and the Israeli Government. In the past, Israeli Arabs have repeatedly been caught up in identity dilemmas because of the Arab-Israeli war and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and this time will be the same. What's more, there are already extreme Jewish attacks against Arabs in Israel, and Israeli Arabs will be even more confused or angry.
Southern Daily, Southern+: What are some of your impressive experiences in Jerusalem that have given you a deeper understanding of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict? How do we understand the entanglement between Jews and Palestinians? What are your wishes for this?
Fan Hungda: Jerusalem is a very special city. In it, you can see the infinite devotion of believers to their faith, and you can also see the naked hatred between believers of different religions. Jews can be seen expressing their faith at the Western Wall, and the Israeli police can be seen imposing strict restrictions on Muslims practicing their faith in the Al-Aqsa mosque area. When I was in Jerusalem, I often sat quietly at the gates of Damascus in the old city, observing the Palestinians and Jews coming in and out, as well as the Palestinians and Israeli policemen who sat next to me and chatted with each other from time to time, and they gave me the very striking impression that they were not a person of the world at all, or more appropriately, that they had been molded into different people. Deep-seated psychological hatred makes it difficult to see hope for genuine reconciliation between Jews and Palestinians. Peace between Palestine and Israel has a long way to go.
The key point of breaking the game is regulated internationally
Nanfang Daily, Nanfang+: In your opinion, is the escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict controllable? What is the key point in breaking the situation in the Palestinian-Israeli issue?
Van Hung Da: Despite the toughness of both the Gaza militant group and Israel so far, I still believe that the conflict between the two sides is manageable because both sides lack the conditions or the will to seriously escalate military confrontation. Although the rockets of the Gaza armed groups have indeed improved considerably compared to before, The military strike capabilities of Gaza are too weak compared to the powerful Israeli forces. But from a military point of view, it will not be difficult for the Israeli military to defeat the Armed Forces in Gaza. On the other hand, although Israel has an absolute advantage over Gaza, if Israel uses too much military force, some countries and forces are likely not to sit idly by. Recent rocket attacks on Israel's mainland have shown that Israel itself is not a safe place, and once the war escalates and expands, Israel will only encounter more violent homegrown attacks. Both the armed groups in the Gaza Strip and the Israeli policymakers are wise men who will see the strengths and weaknesses they face and will not allow the situation to continue to deteriorate without restriction.
At present, the key point in cracking the Palestinian-Israeli military conflict lies in international mediation. The United Nations, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and other Arab countries that have established diplomatic relations with Israel, Turkey and world powers will work hard for it.
Nanfang Daily, Nanfang+: In the current international situation, what can the parties concerned do for the Palestinian-Israeli conflict?
Fan Hongda: At present, the United Nations, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and other Arab countries that have established diplomatic relations with Israel, as well as Turkey and world powers, should carry out practical and effective mediation work as soon as possible. An unrestricted Palestinian-Israeli military conflict is bound to lead to instability and even war in the wider region, which will make Palestine, Israel, the Middle East and the world face more difficulties under the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Because controlling the further escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is beneficial to the aforementioned international parties and more beneficial to Palestine and Israel, I believe that international mediation will play a good role in reducing or even eliminating this Palestinian-Israeli conflict. After all, gaza and Israel, among others, cannot afford the possible consequences of a serious escalation of military conflict.
[Reporter] Wang Shikun
【Intern】Lu Ximing
【Author】 Wang Shikun
【Source】 Southern Press Media Group South + client
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