There was an Australian Indigenous Voice referendum on 14th October. For aboriginals – the natives who have been living in Australia for centuries. The referendum rejected the voice. No to aboriginals from Australians.
This is a story like Native Americans (Red Indians) in America but a little better. At least Australians are having a debate. Or referendum. Regardless of the results.
Similarly, Canada issued regret and apology for the crimes their ancestors committed against the natives of the land.
Why these issues? Why these questions? Why now?
In the history of humans, the powerful have always captured the weak. It has always been like that. And it has always been glorified. Alexander. Saladin. Genghis. Richard. Leonidas. Babur. Napoleon. And many more.
That was the world order that has expired. With the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648, a new way of diplomacy was formed and the world gradually turned into nation states.
But in any world order, in any war or crusade or attack; natives remained natives. Even if they migrated, they were not replaced forcefully. The idea of replacing the natives through power and changing the demographics of an area is one of the ugliest crimes in modern history.
Native Americans were replaced.
Aboriginals were replaced.
And that’s why true historians and people of conscience are sorry.
The same is the story of Kashmir where India is replacing the natives. Settling outsiders there. Changing the demographics with a plan and force. Hence, committing the ugly crime.
And that’s where Israel comes too. Settling foreign Jews in the land. With a purpose. With an idea. And with violence. Step by step, making the majority a minority. And turning the whole land into a war zone for the natives.
This is the crime. This is the controversy. And this is where the two – Israel and India – share a common ideology based on forced settlements.
Condemned.
Crusades happened but no one tried to make settlements through force. Whatever happened, happened organically and naturally.
Caliph Umar conquered Jerusalem in the year 637. He didn’t plan to make forced settlements. He respected the worship places of other faiths and Muslims were barred from not harming them. A treaty was signed for peace and people. Hence, a conquest ended.
Crusades happened. And the crusades ended too. Sometimes Christians won and other times Muslims. Ottomans made a long rule. Then came British rule. And then came the plan to make forced settlements. Hence, it’s an ugly human rights violation happening since 1947-48 and it’s not ending.
That’s the crux. That’s the crime. That’s where Israel becomes one of the ugliest villains in the history of humankind.
And that’s where come people of conscience who feel sorry for the natives of Palestine.
Rest, is a debate. Of faiths. Of power. And a land that has been bleeding since the first message.
