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	*“The Future of Quds”*
	Dr Seyed G Safavi, SOAS-University of London philosophy@iranianstudies.org The Al-Quds Conference, London, 1-2 March 2003
	The Palestinian cause is not about land and soil, but is about faith and belief. (Handbill No.74, Filastin al-Muslima (hereafter FM), June 1991). This is a clash between Muslim's culture and civilisation and Zionism-Imperialism. Palestine is the epitome of Islam and its symbol in the world. Without its heart, i.e. Palestine, the Islamic nation would be dead historically and culturally. The Islamic sanctity of Palestine is based on several pillars, the most important of which is God's choice of al-Aqsa mosque in Quds/ Jerusalem as the place for the ascension of the prophet Muhammad to heaven(Mi'raj) and as the first qibla(direction of prayer) for Muslims. The sanctity of al- Aqsa, 'the pearl of Palestine' and of Jerusalem is extended to Palestine as a whole, which is repeatedly called the 'land of al-Isra walMi'raj'. The Isra and Mi'raj, Hamas states, distinguished Palestine from all other Islamic lands and made it the inheritance of all Muslims. God chose al-Aqsa for Muhammad's ascension to heaven 'in order to tie between this blessed land and the Prophet', since he is the heir of this land from earlier prophets. (See FM. Sept.1991). The Quds Affair is the most important and central affair of the Middle East and Palestine's Crisis. It is possible to say that the Quds Affair is the axis of Global Crisis, War & Peace, and the Global Security; for indeed, Quds has been the centre of Palestine's Crisis for over 50 years. Also that Palestine is situated in the Middle East Region and from the political geographical aspect and as a result of its oil, this Region is the most important Global Strategic Region, on which the Global Economy depends. This paper analyses the different solutions of the Quds crisis. Some of The Views Concerning The Future of Quds The Zionism and fanatic Israelis' point of view, who believe in the absolute Israeli control over Palestine and therefore Quds. These do not believe in any Palestinians' rights. Zionism refers to the movement among European Jews in the late nineteenth century to create a Jewish homeland. In 1897 Theodore Herzl (1860-1904) formally initiated a Zionist movement at the World Zionist Conference in Basle. Since that time there have been organized attempts to persuade Jews to immigrate to the 'land of Israel' the land promised by God, otherwise known as Palestine. Chaim Weizman(1874-1952).later first president of Israel, was influential in establishing this objective and it was much encouraged declaration of the British Foreign Secretary, Arture Balfour (the'Balfour Declaration') in November 1917 that British favoured a homeland for the Jewish people in Palestine. Zionism achieved its principal aim in 1948 with the establishment of a state of Israel through occupying the Palestinian land. "Palestine was by no means unoccupied when Jewish settlement began, but populate by an Arab people, the Palestinians, who were, for the most part, forced into exile by a form of settlement which became, in effect, a military conquest. Underlying this problem is the deeper question of the legitimacy of a national claim to territory which dates back to a dispersion of the Jews in AD 70 under the Roman Empire. Some historians have even claimed that European Jews are not, at least for the most part, descended from the original inhabitants of Palestine, but from Caucasian tribes who converted to Judaism under the later Roman Empire."(See McLEAN Iain, Oxford Politics, p538, 1996). The Zionist point of view is not at all accepted by the World and even the majority of the Jews disagree with it. Sharon's point of view, which in summary is that the Region of Palestine should be divided into the 2 Palestine and Israel countries. But, he wants to place Quds as the Israeli Capital AND CONTOROL MOST PART OF PALESTINAN LAND BY ISRAELI GOVERMENT. According to the Economist "Sharon agrees, in theory that there should be a Palestinian state, but suggests an emasculated pretence of one, setup in this connected parcels of land (25^th of June 2003, page 24). The Israeli Labour Party and Perez's point of view, which is based in dividing the Region of Palestine into the 2 Palestine and Israel countries, and at the same time, believes in negotiations taking place concerning the method of this division. However they want the Israelis to have the greater part of the Land. Arafat's point of view; that has been forced to accept the division but believes that Quds should be the Palestinian Capital. The point of view of Hamas, Islamic Jihad, Iran, the majority of Muslims (approx. 1 billion and 4 hundred million people) and the orthodox Jews. These believe that the successful solution to the Palestine and Middle East Crisis is the formation of only one country, that being Palestine, in the Region of Palestine, with Quds being its Capital. “Muslims regard the struggle against Israel and Zionism as part of a broader civilization war waged between the Islamic and western civilization. It is the latest and most fateful phase of the relentless onslaught waged by western imperialism and cultural against Islam since the time of Crusades. "The Jews are sometimes portrayed as instrument of the west, or alternatively as the power which controls and manipulates the west. The US, for instance, is described as a servant of Israel and as seeking to subjugate the Arabs according to the Jewish plan.” (LITVAK, MEIR, THE CASE OF HAMAS, MIDDLE EASTERN STUDIES, 1997, FR. BOLTAN ISLAM, P192 ). Hassan al-Banna described Zionism as a threat and a challenge to the Muslim world, and most modern Islamic movements share it. According to Hamas and others Islamic movements any negotiation with the enemy is a, concession of principle and granting recognition to murderers and usurpers on rights that are not theirs over land in which they had not been born. Since Israel enjoys unlimited American support (Edward Said says, "Since 1949, America has poured about $140 billion into Israel. Not only is this a major financial investment, but the American political establishment has a long-term investment in the country as well. The end of Peace Process page 231.), any solution obtained under Israeli obstinacy and American bias would never benefit the Palestinian cause, and would eventually lead to the renunciation of Muslim rights in Palestine. All initiatives, and so-called peaceful solution, it adds, is illusions and a waste of time, and is merely an additional way for the infidels to impose themselves over the believers. Since when did the infidels treat the believers justly? It asks. (FM, July 1991) According to Islamic movements, Israel only understands the language of force and does not believe in negotiations. Therefore Palestinian peace overtures or concessions to Israel only lead to greater Jewish intransigence and arrogance. The Arabs are not so weak that they have to run after peace, and the Jews are not so strong as to enforce their will. Recognising Israel would mean giving up the idea of Muslim and Arab unity, as well as accepting Arab division and decline. Islamic movements reject the argument, that in view of their military weakness and under the prevailing international circumstances in which the US supports Israel that the Muslims should 'face reality', compromise with Israel, and give up their rights. Such an arguments, it contends, fails to grasp the long term timeframe of the conflict and of the Palestinian struggle, which should be measured in decades and not in years. The road to victory is long, but Allah has predetermined its outcome. Time is part of the solution, and it requires three components: 1-Islam, 2-going along the right path, and 3-forbearance/sabr. Islamic movements formulate their own concept of peace, based on Islamic principles, which means the complete 'liberation of our entire usurped lands and living on our land under our own government'. The only solution to the conflict, according to them, is the establishment of an Islamic state in all of Palestine, in the full sense of the word as far the dominant role of Islam in legislation and custom are concerned. Only under the shadow of Islam can followers of all religions live in peace and security for themselves, their property, and their rights. Jews born in Palestine will have full civil rights in the Islamic state, 'just as they lived in the past with full rights under Islamic rule'. In this country, the followers of every faith have equal rights, and there is a democratic government with free elections. Naturally, Muslims have the most power, with other religious minorities having a share of power based on their population. In this country, the right of all humane and religious sects will be respected, everyone may follow whatever faith they wish, and the followers of all religions, including Jews, Christians and Muslims, have access to their own holy and sacred religious places in the Region of Palestine. Conclusion: With regards to 1- 'the power balance in Middle East' and 2- 'the deep differences between the two sides of the conflict', it is impossible to reach permanent peace and security in short term. However, in long term, it is possible to reach complete peace. This is based on a design that would provide peace, security, and justice for the followers of all religions in the region. Most certainly, such a peace is impossible with the policies of the American and imperialistic and international Zionism. Future definitely belongs to Palestinian and the 1 billion four hundred million Muslims. It is under the Flag of Islam that all the residents of Middle East, from all religions, shall reach peace and security and get their rights.
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