Gaza, Kashmir, Kunduz

The United Nations recently updated its list containing individuals and entities declared terrorists. The move reflects the international resolve against terrorism and extremism. But that is only a half-truth. The whole truth is that while there is overwhelming opposition to violence perpetrated by non-state actors, similar acts of terrorism when committed by states are often condoned. Three recent incidents in three different regions are enough to conclude that state authorities can kill innocent civilians with impunity.

First, on March 30^th, Israeli forces killed at least 18 Palestinians and injured over 1,400 others. Israeli soldiers used live ammunition on around 30,000 Palestinians, who gathered at the Gaza-Israeli border to mark Land Day held annually to highlight the displacement of Palestinians from their homeland over the years. The UN Security Council could not even condemn the killings because the United States blocked a resolution. Imagine what would have been the reaction had Palestinians killed Israelis. Certainly, it would have been a different story altogether. It is often said that the Jewish lobby wields considerable influence on US policymaking. But often such references are considered as far-fetched. But when only one American Senator — Bernie Sanders — out of the current 99 had the courage to speak against Israel’s state oppression, it only lends credence to such conspiracy theories.

Second, on April 1^st, at least 20 people, mostly civilians, were killed by Indian security forces in Shopian district of disputed Kashmir region. The Indian government and media there largely praised their security forces for action against ‘terrorists.’ With India’s international clout on the rise, the international community has largely turned a blind eye towards the atrocities being perpetrated by the Indian state authorities. New Delhi often blames Islamabad for the trouble it faces in the disputed territory. But that doesn’t change the facts that there is a genuine and popular uprising in the valley against Indian rule. But neither are the powerful international players ready to reconcile with the reality nor India is willing to admit this. There was a hue and cry in India over a tweet by Pakistan’s former cricketer Shahid Afridi, who condemned the Kashmir killings. Indian news channels castigated Afridi for his remarks when instead they should have been debating the real issue as to why Kashmir had reached this precipice.

Third, on April 2^nd, the Afghan air force bombed a seminary in northern Kunduz province. The target was Afghan Taliban fighters who, according to the authorities, had gathered there. But among the casualties were scores of innocent young students of a religious seminary who were attending a graduation ceremony. The incident was the direct result of the new US strategy seeking greater use of military power to defeat the insurgents or persuade them to the negotiating table. What is alarming is that the Afghan authorities still have the audacity to justify the attack. There has been condemnation of this reckless use of force but the reaction is still muted. Also, what did the Afghan government really achieve by eliminating a handful of Taliban fighters and that too at a time when the war-ravaged country needed a healing touch? The Afghan air force’s action might have eliminated some Taliban fighters but in its wake has also provided insurgents a shot in the arm to lure young Afghans.

It is a fact that no one is born a terrorist. There are circumstances that lead people to opt for a violent path. Killings in Kunduz, Gaza and Kashmir will certainly create unfortunate conditions that may give birth to a new batch of terrorists. But when that happens many of us would forget that behind these ‘terrorists’ are the oppressive policies of states. In this situation, the monster of terrorism continues to haunt us no matter how many terror lists the UN maintains because such half measures can only tackle the symptoms but not the root cause of this menace.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 9^th, 2018.

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