Friday, November 01, 2024

Political Shifts Loom as Grassroots Support for Palestine Grows in West: Malaysian MP

IQNA – A Malaysian lawmaker believes rising grassroots support for Palestine and younger progressive leaders in the West could shift politics and increase criticism of Israeli actions.

IQNA conversation with Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh

This is according to Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh who made the statement in an interview with IQNA about the ongoing Israeli war on the besieged Gaza Strip that has claimed the lives of at least 42,500 people, mostly women and children.

“Grassroots movements and solidarity with Palestine have been gaining momentum, especially in Europe and the US, as more people become aware of the humanitarian crisis and alleged war crimes,” he said when asked about the future of Western support for the Israeli regime. “Over time, these societal shifts may begin to influence political decision-making, especially as younger, more progressive leaders come to power,” he added.

What follows is the full text of the conversation:

IQNA: One year since Palestinians’ Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, how do you assess the achievements of the Palestinian resistance movements?

Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh: The Palestinian resistance movements have demonstrated significant resilience and adaptation. The Al-Aqsa Flood operation marked a turning point by showing the capacity of Palestinian factions especially Hamas to launch coordinated actions, causing serious disruptions to Israeli military and security systems.

Achievements include raising global awareness about the occupation, increasing international solidarity, and forcing the Israeli regime to acknowledge the depth of Palestinian grievances. However, the costs in terms of human lives and destruction have been heavy. Resistance movements have had to contend with immense military retaliation, and while there have been symbolic victories, the challenge remains to translate those into long-term political gains.

IQNA: Western countries, led by the US, have voiced support for the Israeli regime despite mounting evidence of Israeli war crimes in Gaza and also growing people’s solidarity with Palestine in the past year. How do you see the future of this support for Israel?

Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh: The future of Western support for Israel is increasingly becoming a point of contention. While the US and other Western governments have been steadfast in their support for Israel due to historical alliances, security concerns, and domestic lobbying groups, public opinion is shifting.

Grassroots movements and solidarity with Palestine have been gaining momentum, especially in Europe and the US, as more people become aware of the humanitarian crisis and alleged war crimes. Over time, these societal shifts may begin to influence political decision-making, especially as younger, more progressive leaders come to power. While official policies may not change rapidly, the growing international disapproval of Israeli actions could force a reevaluation of unconditional support.

IQNA: What is the role of elites in boosting the solidarity and unity in the Muslim world for defending Palestine?

Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh: Elites in the Muslim world play a critical role in shaping public opinion and policy. Intellectuals, religious leaders, and political figures can act as powerful advocates for Palestinian rights. Their influence in media, academic institutions, and international diplomacy can galvanize broader support for the cause.

When these elites unite and make a concerted effort to prioritize Palestine in political agendas, they can facilitate coordinated actions such as boycotts, sanctions, and diplomatic pressure. Moreover, they can foster unity across diverse Muslim sects and regions, ensuring that the Palestinian cause remains a unifying issue rather than one subject to geopolitical divides. Malaysia will continue to play its pivotal role on this.

IQNA: How do you assess the Muslim world’s support for Palestine in the past year?

Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh: The support from the Muslim world has been vocal, but it remains fragmented. On a popular level, there is widespread sympathy and solidarity with Palestine, seen through protests, social media campaigns, and humanitarian aid. However, on a governmental level, the response has been inconsistent, largely due to differing political and economic interests.

Some countries, such as Iran and Turkey, have been more vocal and proactive in supporting Palestine, while others, especially those normalizing relations with Israel, have maintained a more cautious stance. The challenge remains in converting this popular support into unified and effective political action on an international scale.

IQNA: Can you please give us an analysis of the situation inside Israel as we mark the anniversary of the war?

Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh: Internally, Israel faces significant challenges. The war has exacerbated existing social tensions, with deepening divisions between different political, ethnic, and religious groups within the country. The far-right factions have gained considerable influence, pushing for more aggressive policies against Palestinians, which has only fueled internal dissent.

Economic instability, driven by military expenditures and international pressure, has also placed a strain on Israeli society. Furthermore, growing global condemnation and increasing calls for accountability have put Israel’s international standing at risk, leading to concerns about long-term isolation.

IQNA: Iran has responded two times to Israeli aggressions so far and has warned that it would respond with a stronger force if further provoked by the regime. How do you see the situation here? Is the region getting ready for a direct war between Iran and Israel?

Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh: The situation is highly precarious. Iran’s warnings reflect its strategic calculations, balancing between deterrence and avoiding full-scale conflict. Both Iran and Israel understand the severe consequences of a direct war, which could engulf the entire region. However, the possibility of a miscalculation or an unintended escalation remains.

Iran’s growing influence through forces in Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq increases the likelihood of a broader regional conflict, should hostilities continue to escalate. While a direct war is not inevitable, the region is certainly closer to a significant confrontation, with the possibility of smaller, localized clashes between Iran-backed forces and Israel in the near term.

IQNA: The regime has expanded the war in the north, targeting Lebanese territories in the past few weeks. How do you see the prospects of a ground invasion into Lebanon? Some analysts believe Hezbollah has the upper hand when it comes to operations on the ground. What is your take on this?

Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh: A ground invasion into Lebanon would be a high-risk operation for Israel. Hezbollah is well-entrenched and has developed sophisticated defenses since the 2006 war, including tunnels, missiles, and guerrilla tactics. The terrain in southern Lebanon is highly advantageous for defensive operations, giving Hezbollah the upper hand in case of a ground conflict. While Israel’s military capabilities are formidable, the human and political costs of a ground invasion would be immense.

Hezbollah’s ability to retaliate deeply into Israeli territory, along with its strong support base in Lebanon, makes a protracted ground war unlikely to yield decisive results for Israel. As such, while skirmishes may escalate, a full-scale ground invasion is likely to be avoided unless Israel feels it has no other strategic options.

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