THE illegitimate state of Israel was established on the lands of Palestinians on May 14, 1948. Since then, six full-fledged wars between the Arabs and Israel have been fought, excluding two Intifadas (uprisings). Instead of getting their land free from the Israelis, the Palestinians have lost more territories to the occupation force.

Starting with the Camp David accords in the late 1970s, several Arab countries have `normalised` relations with the Zionist colonialists from Europe. These countries have established diplomatic relations with Israel without getting any significant guarantees in relation to the future of Palestine.

Such states are either seriously naïve or frighteningly selfish. Gaza, meanwhile, has transformed; from being the biggest open-air prison, it has now been turned into the biggest graveyard on Earthhousingboth the dead and the alive.

As could only have been expected, the recent meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Arab League, and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) led to nothing. They prefer their heads buried in the proverbial sand.

Ironically, the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC) happens to be military alliance of 42 states under the leadership of Saudi Arabia, and was established to counter terrorist activities.

It is disheartening that Israel`s barbarism against the Palestinians is not considered terrorism by the IMCTC. Is it not a pity that 42 countries together cannot stop Israel militarily despite having such a coalition force? The United Nations will not take action against Israel, for it is under the American influence. And why should it intervene when 42 armies from Muslimnations have chosen to be absolutely nothing more than mere spectators? Someone somewhere surely has to stop this madness.

Ali Sikandar Chachar Ghotki