Muslim Nations' Statement on Gaza Highlights Gradual Strategy Against Israel
A recent statement by the foreign ministers of eight Muslim nations, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Qatar, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Turkey, has drawn attention for its focus on the Gaza conflict. The statement, which reportedly "praises Israel's friends," criticizes Israel for delaying a 15-point agreement related to Gaza, asserting that Israel "bears responsibility" for the delay and "is required" to fulfill its commitments and improve the humanitarian situation. Notably, the statement allegedly lacks any explicit demand for Palestinian factions to cease terrorism or act against Hamas's armament.
The article introduces the concept of 'Tadrij,' an Arabic term meaning gradualism, as a political strategy employed by adversaries to gradually infiltrate, build power, gain legitimacy, and eventually take control. This strategy is contrasted with Western management approaches, becoming particularly concerning when associated with groups like Hamas, Iran, Turkey, and Syria.
Former Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad's 2009 plan to establish a Palestinian state in the 1967 borders, with Jerusalem as its capital, is cited as an example of this gradualist approach. The plan involved creating new realities on the ground through illegal construction to connect Palestinian areas, encircling Jewish settlements to prevent expansion, controlling transportation routes to Jordan, and asserting control over large parts of Area C.
The author, a former military prosecutor and judge, reflects on the challenges of prosecuting terrorists and the public perception of the military prosecution. She notes that while the prosecution diligently pursues various criminal activities, it often faces public criticism in high-profile cases involving soldiers, such as the Elor Azaria or Sde Teiman incidents. The author argues for the necessity of investigating all suspected offenses, even when it creates public friction.
The article concludes by referencing a passage from the Quran (Surah 59) that warns against internal division and overconfidence, suggesting that Israel's own divisions and lack of unified focus on external threats, such as the gradualist strategy of its adversaries, are its greatest weakness. The author proposes a personal initiative, a series of stories called "Rainbow of Brothers," to bridge divides by sharing historical and contemporary Israeli experiences, encouraging readers to contribute events that they believe the "other side" needs to know.
