The Masks Have Fallen: 76 Years of Occupation of the Blessed Land of Palestine

The Economist Magazine reported on 14 May 2024 that, “The torch-lighting which traditionally opens “Israel’s” Independence Day was broadcast on the evening of May 13th as usual. But instead of being televised live as usual, the event was pre-recorded. The government said this was because of the solemnity of holding the ceremony while the nation is at war. The real reason, however, was the politicians’ fear that it would be disrupted by protesters, furious with their failings in handling the war.”

Whilst the Jewish entity is in domestic turmoil today, its original establishment is a creation that pierced the heart of the Muslim World. Blood was spilled on the holy land as it was during the 11th-century crusades.  Its birth was only possible by the forced expulsion of the people who were already living there and the treachery of the Arab rulers in the region. Muslims and Christians who had lived there for centuries were driven out by terrorist Zionist gangs, in what is known as the Nakba, the catastrophe. Muslims and Christians were driven out of their homes, villages were burnt, and innocent men, women, and children were slaughtered by Zionist settlers, who came from Europe to claim the land as theirs. Thousands of Jews from around the world were given land that belonged to others. Palestine became a place of occupation and oppression. The Palestinians who were forced to leave have never been allowed to return.

The mask of the brutal Zionist occupation, backed by America, has fallen. The US provided strength to the Zionists and turned a blind eye to all that they did. The US used its veto power in the UN to shield the Zionists from any restrictions or retribution from the international community. For 76 years, the Zionists have continued to grab land and spread terror, making hundreds of checkpoints and preventing any settled life for Palestinians. Seventy-six years later, the only change in occupied Palestine is the sophisticated technology that is bombing homes, schools, and hospitals. Unspeakable crimes, such as mass graves uncovered on the grounds of hospitals after weeks of Zionist aggression. Forced displacement, forced starvation, and a total collapse of structures of a functioning society have led to the most horrific situation in Gaza. For seven months, we have seen a genocide unfold before our eyes. It gives us a glimpse into the oppression of Palestinians over the last 76 years.

The ugly, unmasked face of the brutal occupation has now awoken the Ummah. Previous incursions into Gaza by the Zionist army were fleeting news moments. But this time, it is different.  This time, the Muslims have woken up. From Morocco to Malaysia, the Muslim Ummah is mobilized and moving. The false pillars of the West have fallen. The Muslims have no hope in the Western solution for Palestine. The hypocrisy is evident. The blood-soaked hands of the US and European powers cannot be hidden.

The masks of the Western colonialist institutions have fallen. The UN, International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Criminal Court (ICC) serve the interests of the US. The UN, created by the US in 1945, was portrayed as a neutral body designed to safeguard all people and prevent all wars. ‘Never again’ was the slogan. It was claimed that never again will anyone be allowed to mass murder people due to ethnicity or religion. But it was the UN that was the screen behind which a plan was hatched to rob the Islamic Ummah of their first Qibla. A plan that was designed to fool the layman into thinking that it’s just a matter of time before peace is achieved and Muslims, Christians, and Jews will live side by side. The characters of this intricate drama were the so-called Western peacemakers who would bring the opposite sides together. The sidekicks were the Muslim rulers who were commanded to stand guard like deaf and dumb puppets, only to speak when spoken to and only say what the script from the US State Department told them to say.

Numerous UN resolutions and agreements have been signed about the Zionist states' violation of International law in Palestine. Still, they have failed to resolve the occupation and severe oppression suffered by the Muslims of Palestine. Instead, they have aggravated the situation and the condition of those living in this Blessed Land. They have prolonged the occupation. The meaningless resolutions proposed by the UN to condemn “Israel’s” brutal action were rejected by the US, through its veto power. Those that were passed were violated by the Zionists, with no consequences. Thus, the mask of the UN has fallen. It was designed by the US to serve its interests.

The issue of Palestine can never be resolved by a kufr organization like the UN or kuffar dressed in their suits and ties wearing false smiles. There can be no human of sane mind that would still advocate handing over this matter to the United Nations to seek a solution. Moreover, the Noble Qur’an warned us 1400 years ago to know who was our enemy and not be fooled by them. Allah (swt) said,

[يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تَتَّخِذُوا۟ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ أَوْلِيَآءَ مِن دُونِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ۚ أَتُرِيدُونَ أَن تَجْعَلُوا۟ لِلَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ سُلْطَـٰنًۭا مُّبِينًا]

“O believers! Do not take disbelievers as allies instead of believers. Would you like to give Allah solid proof against yourselves?” [TMQ Surah An-Nisa 4: 144].

The masks of the rulers of Muslims have fallen. They persist in refusing to send the armies of Muslims to stop the genocide in Palestine. Erdogan continued to supply weapons, materials, and food needed to sustain the genocide. Egypt, under the brutal dictator Al-Sisi, keeps the Rafah Border Crossing closed. Abdallah of Jordan provides an air bridge, as well as a land corridor along with Saudi and the UAE, to transport the US military hardware to the Zionists.  The rulers of Muslims around Palestine are the defenders of the Zionists only. They have imprisoned and tortured those who protested against the genocide. All 57 leaders of Muslim countries are complicit in the genocide through their refusal to mobilize armies. They are more than capable of crushing the Zionists, but they choose to serve their masters. It is as if they have not heard the words of the Messenger of Allah (saw),

«مَا مِنْ امْرِئٍ يَخْذُلُ امْرَأً مُسْلِماً فِي مَوْضِعٍ تُنْتَهَكُ فِيهِ حُرْمَتُهُ وَيُنْتَقَصُ فِيهِ مِنْ عِرْضِهِ إِلَّا خَذَلَهُ اللهُ فِي مَوْطِنٍ يُحِبُّ فِيهِ نُصْرَتَهُ، وَمَا مِنْ امْرِئٍ يَنْصُرُ مُسْلِماً فِي مَوْضِعٍ يُنْتَقَصُ فِيهِ مِنْ عِرْضِهِ وَيُنْتَهَكُ فِيهِ مِنْ حُرْمَتِهِ إِلَّا نَصَرَهُ اللهُ فِي مَوْطِنٍ يُحِبُّ نُصْرَتَهُ»

“No (Muslim) man will desert a man who is a Muslim in a place where his respect may be violated and his honour aspersed without Allah deserting him in a place here he wishes his help; and no (Muslim) man who will help a Muslim in a place where his honour may be aspersed and his respect violated without Allah helping him in a place where he wishes his help.” [Abu Daud]

Before the current rulers, for 1300 years, the Khilafah had protected and defended the Blessed Land. The Khilafah of Umar al-Farooq (ra) opened Palestine to Islam. The Khilafah sent the forces of Salahudin to liberate it from the crusaders. The Khilafah of Abdul Hamid II protected Palestine from Zionist attempts to usurp its land. In the absence of the Khilafah, Palestine has remained under occupation.

All the masks have fallen. The Western leaders and their false way of life have been exposed. Their institutions and courts have been exposed. The treachery of the Muslim rulers has been exposed. Influencers and celebrities have been exposed. Those who remained silent have been exposed. We cannot have any hope in any of them. To do so would be a denial of reality. The sincere mujahideen have fulfilled their covenant with Allah (swt). The men, woman, children, and unborn babies in Gaza have fulfilled their covenant with Allah (swt). What are we doing, my brothers and sisters? Social media and protests must be used to call for the correct solution.

Palestine will not be liberated by learning about its history. Boycott, divestment, and sanctions will not liberate Palestine. Palestine will not be liberated by food aid. Palestine will be liberated when the brave sons of the Ummah in the Muslim armies disobey the treacherous rulers, break their shackles and march toward Al Quds. The solution for Palestine is to send our Muslim armies to Aqsa. The solution for Palestine is for the brave officers of the Ummah to uproot the rulers and grant Nussrah for the establishment of the Khilafah Rashidah (rightly guided Caliphate). It is the Khilafah that will liberate Palestine and Al Aqsa. Our role is to call for the armies to move to protect the Ummah. Allah (swt) said,

[يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِن تَنصُرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ يَنصُرْكُمْ وَيُثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَكُمْ]

“O you who have believed, if you support Allah, He will support you and plant firmly your feet.” [TMQ Surah Muhammad 47:7].

Written for the Central Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir by
Maryam Ansari