August 19, 2006

A Dialogue with a Saudi Muslim (9)

By James Arlandson and Soliman albuthe

Part One,  which has a brief Introduction; Part Two;

Part Three; Part Four; Part Five; Part Six; Part Seven; Part Eight 

 

Soliman al—Buthe (or al—Buthi) wrote an Open Letter to Congress in 2005. Then he initiated a dialogue with me, so we decided on this sequence.

 

1. In 2005, I commented and asked questions about the Open Letter (in blue).

 

2. Months later in that same year, Mr. al—Buthe answered my questions and challenged me on various issues (in green). He sought the advice of Saudi scholars, as well.

 

3. Finally, in 2006, I reply to his challenges and questions (in black). Sometimes I embed this portion in our 2005 dialogue. I too receive help from colleagues.

 

Open Letter to Congress (continued):

Peace in the Middle East

The just resolution of the Palestinian issue is pivotal to solving many of the problems we witness today. The scholars of Saudi Arabia—region> have always been concerned with the issue, and the Kingdom's rulers have long sought to resolve the matter; Crown Prince Abdullah's 2002 peace offer is the latest example. Once the Palestinian issue is solved, the many other issues that separate the United States—region> from the Islamic world will fade away.

JA (2005): Here is a link to Crown Prince Abdullah's proposal, with further links to UN Resolutions 242 and 338. Does this link accurately summarize the Prince's proposal?

1. The Prince's proposal says that Israel—region> must withdraw to its 1967 borders. But here is my assessment not only the [sic] of the Prince's proposal but also of the Arab world's proposals, which follows a sequence. First, the Arabs attack Israel—region> in three wars (1948—49, 1967, 1973). Second, Israel—region> beats back their attackers and acquires new territory. Third and finally, the Arabs run to the United Nations to get the Israelis to withdraw from the acquired territories.

For example, after the 1967 war, UN Res. 242 seems to say that Israel—region> should withdraw from all territories acquired by that war. After the 1973 war, UN Res. 338 says that Israel—region>, Egypt—region> and Syria—region> should cease all hostilities and implement Res. 242. Also, the Israel—Egypt Peace Treaty of 1979 required Israel—region> to give up most of the Sinai Peninsula, which they won during the 1967 war.

2. Does my brief analysis of the big picture seem accurate to you?

3. If the Arab States that launched three wars against Israel—region> had victoriously acquired territories, would Crown Prince Abdullah and other Arab leaders ask the Arab States to give up the acquired territories, as they ask the Israelis to give up theirs?

4. As to theology and geopolitics, why do Muslims claim Jerusalem as their city even though Muhammad never visited it in a down—to—earth way (Sura 17:1 and 60)? Do you agree that Jews have a better claim to the city since they lived there long before Islam came on the scene? Or does Islam take priority over history?

SaB (2005):

The Israeli—Palestine conflict is one created by the superpowers and will continue to be a subject for discussion and debate within and among all of the sides to the conflict.

 

Westerners unfortunately often ignore and neglect critical historical facts underlying the conflict.  The West, and particularly the United States—region>, has shown unwavering, overwhelming bias in support of Israel—region> and against the Palestinians.  Not until the historical facts are learned and the 'facts on the ground' are understood can one understand the conflict between Israel—region> and the Palestinians.  Such an examination also will probably give some insight into why young men and women are willing to sacrifice their lives in an attempt to liberate their land.  

It is not difficult for Americans to get a more balanced view of the conflict; indeed, there are hundreds of Israeli pro—Palestinian groups, numerous anti—Zionist Israeli organizations, and scores if not hundreds of culturally diverse NGOs around the world who recognize and speak out against Israeli policy. Please see:

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