Israelis And Kurds Fight For Respect

By: Lawrence Uniglicht
luniglicht@snip.net

Jan 4, 2004

Jerusalem Post

The Kurdish quest for respect on this planet mirrors Israel's similar pursuit. Both cultures engender little support from the majority of nations worldwide while being unjustly abused by hostile neighbors. The most powerful United States however has been a formidable friend and presumably would reliably act in their best interests when necessary. Yet, although the Kurds have demonstrated considerably more skill than other Iraqi tribes in developing their sector and maintaining security, America prohibits them from conquering and controlling oil rich Kirkuk thus enhancing their economic and military strength while maintaining a de facto sovereign enclave. Kurds collectively form a secular democratic ambitious intelligent Western thinking culture yearning for an independent Kurdistan. They are in so many ways the antithesis of juxtaposed Shiite and Sunni Arabs, yet America thwarts any effort by the Kurds to truly attain a cherished independence. The best interests of that foremost ally alas seem to supersede the best interests of Kurdish culture.

Will America react similarly when negotiating an Israeli Palestinian peace accord consistent with their Road Map? Will President Bush's apparent infatuation with Abu Mazen Mahmoud Abbas the dually named persuasive peace-professing probable Palestinian potentate convince Israel's essential ally to forsake the interests of the besieged Jewish Democracy for any tangible result and consequential kudos from Israeli bashers world-wide? Will substantial expanses of Israeli land including Jerusalem be put on the table along with an outrageous right of Palestinian return without even a quelling of violence against Israeli citizens? Will the Road Map morph to Israeli Road Kill? Ariel Sharon and the Knesset might observe America's treatment of Israel's soul mate Kurds and legitimately express concern.