For years, the Palestinian Authority has flirted with the concept of a Palestinian State.  The original U.N. resolution of 1947 calls for "the partition of the British-ruled Palestine Mandate into a Jewish state and an Arab state."  United States President George Bush has called for a "peaceful democratic Palestinian state."  Countless Muslim leaders and activists have consistently called for the creation of such a state, a Palestinian state, either based on the borders drawn in the 1947 UN resolution or based on a Palestine completely absent Israel.  Time and again we are reminded of the Palestinian state that never was. 

Over the years, the Palestinian Authority has bent over backwards to appease the United States and its allies with the hopes that these promises of a  "peaceful democratic Palestinian state" will come to fruition.  Despite this, and in a casual fashion, George Bush called on the Palestinian people "to elect new leaders, leaders not compromised by terror." 

So, why has this Palestinian Authority, once hand picked by the United States and Britain, now no longer sufficient to satiate their impulses?

Why is an organization such as Hamas given financial backing from Israel in order to keep the power between it and the Palestinian Authority in conflict?  Why is rebellious "terror" considered to be "evil" by the Bush administration but state-sponsored "terror" is considered "self defence."?

Questions such as these must be asked by Muslims all over the world, and the world must ultimately ask, "What do the Muslims want?"  Humanity undoubtedly recognizes that Muslims make up over one fifth of the world's population.  The people of earth surely realize that Muslims are the majority in numerous countries all over the world and the minority in almost every other country.  To pose a question about Palestine and to not ask for the Muslim position is simply unwise. 

We should now and forever let it be known that Islam calls for peace and that all Muslims seek peace.  Allah has created us so that we may worship Him peacefully.  With peace, however, comes responsibility, values, laws, and equality.  It is not enough to ask for peace if one cannot reciprocate it, and it is not enough to promise peace without the promise of justice.  There are those in the world who inevitably turn from that which is peaceful, who usurp the rights of others, who plunder villages, rape women, and kill children.

 "That is because they hated what Allah revealed, so He rendered their deeds fruitless." 
(Qur'an 47:9)

As Muslims we believe that in such situations it is necessary to correct this error and to restore justice and peace.  Often this requires only a kind word.  Other times it requires a stern word or even admonition.  Less frequently it necessitates armed struggle.  Whatever the case may be, Allah has created human beings to be vicegerents on earth.  We are caretakers and protectors of all that is good.  We, therefore, enjoin what is good and forbid what is evil.  The Prophet (s) has said, "The world is like a ship and mankind its passengers. The welfare of all depends upon the safe conduct of each. If anyone is found making a hole on the side of the ship, he must be stopped."

The question of Palestine is then not about a state.  There are many Arab states.  Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Egypt, and many others are all Arab states that are governed by the laws of man.  Some of them, particularly Jordan and Egypt, were even mentioned favourably by Bush as having "determined and responsible leadership."  But is such leadership adequate in Islam?

Can a Muslim be content with a leader who is "determined and responsible" in terms of economics and politics but who is devoid of basic human compassion, spiritual insight, and wisdom? 

For Muslims the establishment of a Palestinian state means no more than those words.  It will be another Jordan, another Egypt, or another Kuwait.  It will be "determined" to serve the interests of the United States and "responsible" for the oppression and disenfranchisement of its own people.

 "But no, by your Lord, they do not believe, until they make you judge in all disputes between them, and find in their souls no resistance against your decisions, but accept them with the fullest conviction." 
(Qur'an 4:65)

If a lasting state is to be established in Palestine, it must not be an "Arab" state or even a "Palestinian" state.  Until they rule by what Allah has revealed, there can be no justice, and until they follow Allah's commands, there can be no true peace.  Any other apparent peace is merely recess between wars.  A Palestinian state built on "peaceful democracy" might silence the critics of the Palestinian Authority.  It might bring an end to martyrdom-seeking operations.  It might bring stability to the Middle-East.  It might even bring with it peace to a region ravaged by war...

But at what cost?

"Because Allah will never change the grace that He bestows upon a people until they change what is in themselves and verily Allah hears and knows all things" (Qur'an 8:53)

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