Middle East moving towards instability and tension

Vir Arjun, Hindi Daily Newspaper Published From Delhi

   Published on 10 December, 2012  

अनिल नरेन्द्र 

Situation in the Middle East Asia is once again becoming tense. Commotion in the three countries – Egypt, Israel and Philistine is fast gaining momentum. First, let us take Egypt. The government and judiciary are on confrontation path. The Supreme Constitutional Court has opposed President Mohammad Morsi’s decision to hold referendum on the Draft Constitution based on Islamic values. It has refused to supervise the proposed referendum to be held on 15^th December. Egypt’s top justices started indefinite strike against the psychological and physical pressure being applied by the Islamist supporters of President Morsi and almost a dozen newspapers have also declared not to publish their edition in support of the Opposition. Morsi had seized autocratic powers through his decrees. Later, his confrontation with the Opposition turned intense. Meanwhile, the Supreme Constitutional Court said that the Islamists stopped the justices to enter the Court premises and as a protest, they were temporarily suspending their business. A number of newspapers opposed the new Constitution and carried slogans like ‘Down with Despotism’ on their front pages.

Meanwhile, tension between Israel and Philistine has also mounted. Israel is very agitated over the historic success of Philistine. 138 countries including India, voted in the favour of Pihilistine in the United Nations General Assembly, which raised the stature of Philistine in this World body. This is a historic victory for Philistine in this World body. It is being considered a big setback for Israel. Out of 193 member countries of UN General Assembly, nine countries including US and Israel voted against the resolution on Thursday night, whereas 41 countries absented themselves from the voting. With this victory, the status of Philistine will now be of a non-member Observer country in this world body. Prior to the voting in the General Assembly, Philistine President Mahmoud Abbas said that this voting was in fact, like a birth certificate for Philistine State. He said that the UN General Assembly had divided Philistine in two parts on this day 66 years back and had given a birth certificate to Israel. Till now, Philistine had the status of Authority Observer in the UN. Following the passing of the resolution in the Assembly, atmosphere of jubilation was seen all over Gaza and West Bank. With this, Philistine has taken another step in the direction of getting recognition as a nation in the comity of nations at the international level. Opposing the resolution, addressing the UN General Assembly prior to the voting on the motion, Permanent Representative to the UN, Ron Prosor said that this motion would not promote peace, but on the contrary it would lead to a setback to the peace. None of the resolutions in the UN General Assembly would be breaking the 4,000 years old relations of Israelis with Israel. After the voting, the US Representative in UN, Susan Rice said that today this resolution would put hindrance in the path of peace efforts. Britain and Germany abstained from voting, but they were not happy at bringing this resolution. Philistine Authority had applied seeking full membership of the UN, but the US vetoed that resolution and thus failed Philistine’s efforts. There was a sense of jubilation in the Arab World over this decision. Tension between Iran and US is also increasing. In essence, atmosphere of instability and tension is continuously worsening. We hope that the situation would remain under control, because in case tension increases, then its fall out would not be limited to the Middle East only.