[col. writ. 7/9/14] © ’14 Mumia Abu-Jamal
The biblical tale of David vs. Goliath is the quintessential story of how the weak can prevail over the mighty.
It gives people hope that perhaps they can prevail over terrible adversity.
In the Middle East that tale continues to be told, but from the somewhat peculiar perspective that Israel, the Zionist State, is David.
This is how most Americans receive – and seem to want – their Mid-East news. Perhaps it’s more comforting.
But it’s not so.
Israel has the most powerful military in the region, and it is the most aggressive.
Back before the 1970s, Egypt could’ve made such a claim, but today, billions of U.S. dollars later; they’re only a threat to their own population.
Today, Israel is Goliath; and Palestine is David. They throw stones while Israel fields F-16 fighters, attack aircraft that can destroy whole football fields in a blink.
They have nuclear weapons.
They (the Palestinians), have no standing army, no air force, and no real standing in international affairs.
They are an occupied people. They are a captive people.
When President Barack Obama issues statements about ‘restraint by both sides’, it is political hogwash.
For Obama, who spent his time as a state politician in the company of Palestinian intellectuals like Ali Abunimah, knows well who is the best armed party in the conflict; and who isn’t.
He knows well who is Goliath, and who is David.
And David has little more than a stone – and a prayer.
–© ‘14maj