Palestinians need to follow Gandhi Doctrine?

When world was divided into two blocks and each block was
trying to attract other countries into its gambit, things were
different. A cold war doctrine allowed use of militancy as a
legitimate means for movements busy in fighting for their rights.
After the fall of Soviet Union, the narrative began to change. It
touched its conclusive peak after the sad events of 9/11 and world
decided that all kind of militancy in Islamic region will be
condemned. It had a huge impact on the freedom movements that
were active in different parts of this globe. Kashmir is a classic
example of this change of heart where armed struggle had to be
abandoned a few years after 9/11. Even Russia and China silently
became part of this new international consensus. This was end of
using weapons and guerilla warfare as a strategy for the freedom
fighters in Muslim World. In this all-important historic backdrop,
Hamas began its horrifying onslaught with suicide bombings in
Israel.
There is another factor that every Muslim movement must take
into account while working out its strategy. We are part of a
chapter of history where things happen only if West wants to see
them happening. Whether we like it or not, this is an irrefutable
reality. Western democracies are always sensitive towards their
public opinion but after 9/11, the fear of militant Islam has taken
deep roots into the Western societal fiber. This is why if we want
to gain sympathy from a common man who is able to compel his
government for some action, we must re-consider our strategy.
Militancy will find little favor and smaller protests in Western
society.
Before proceeding forward, lets have a look at the situation in
Palestines neighboring countries which are ruled mostly by either
hereditary monarchies or military dictators. Both forms of
government are always sensitive about any ideology that has
capacity to overthrow them. Political Islam is the worst nightmare

for these kings and dictators. Unfortunately Hamas supports The

Muslim Brotherhood, an organization that has always been a
threat for all Arab countries due to its aggressive ideology. Its
sympathizers are spread throughout the Arab society. The fact
that Hamas is affiliated to Muslim Brotherhood bars Arab rulers
from showing real support for Hamas, despite public pressure and
discontentment. They will rather stand with Israel to crush Hamas
than supporting an organization that clearly states it preference
for democratic style of governance. We have already seen
Egyptian government proposing a ceasefire that meets Israeli
demands and rejects what Hamas is fighting for. It is said that
other Arab countries have also favored these ceasefire proposals.
If we accept the above mentioned proposition, the next question
to be asked is what should be the way forward for Hamas or any
other organization busy in a legitimate struggle? The answer lies
in the philosophy presented by Mahatma Gandhi; a public
uprising that uses non-violence as their weapon. Intifada was a
popular movement which was not purely non-violent but it was
also not based on pure militancy. But still it forced even USA to
use its influence over Israel and find a solution to this conflict.
Now time has come that Palestinians should study the technique
and strategy that Gandhi used during the independence
movement in the Sub-continent and change its strategy
accordingly. It will be a huge surprise for Israel and the states
supporting it. It will change the perception of Western public
opinion about Hamas position in this chronic conflict and a
powerful wave will emerge among common people that will
compel their governments to play an active role to safeguard
Palestinians rights. It will not become possible overnight but still
Israel will not be able to stand it for more than a few years. There
is a strong possibility that public pressure within Israel will force
the government to solve this humanitarian riddle of suffering on
one side and constant sense of insecurity on the other side. In
todays scenario, if a movement uses weapon as a means to
achieve some valid objectives, world accepts the use of force

from government in retaliation and despite all brutal handling by

state power, you cant earn sympathy of the world.
The dilemma of Arab rulers' nonchalant attitude to this issue can
also be fixed because they can't resist international pressure. If
powerful countries from West and East agree to find a peaceful
and workable solution, they have the capacity to force Israel as
well as Arab countries to accept it.
This will also become a model for other militant movements that
have so far failed to attract sympathies of international community
for their cause.