The feebleness of Muslim World to save Gaza

...the pro-western muslim leaders are part of the problem, not part of the solution

When people feel there is no justice in the world and no legitimate outlet for their justified frustration, things tend to boil over. And that's what happened at a huge anti-Israel, pro-Hamas demonstration in many parts of the world.

Ordinary people are tired of the Muslim world's disunity and feebleness in the face of American and Israeli dominance. The disconnect between a humiliated and suffering muslim and their elite, pro-Western rulers was easy for all to see. They know that the Muslim world has become a laughing stock to many in the West -- a byword for poverty, backwardness and weakness. A region whose plentiful resources the West can exploit precisely because of that disunity and lack of strong leadership.

As the war in Gaza burned, Arab governments have felt their legitimacy challenged with an uncommon virulence. With each passing day, and each Palestinian death, the popularity of Hamas and other islamic movements has ratcheted higher on the Arab street, while the standing of Arab leaders has suffered.

Ordinary people have had enough of the humiliation, enough of the impunity that the West and Israel seem to enjoy. They want all that to stop, they want their pride and self-respect back. And they know that their pro-western leaders are part of the problem, not part of the solution.

The slogans and chants should turn toward the Arab leaders who should be blamed, almost as much as Israel, for the plight of the people of Gaza. Top of the list is Egypt, which many feel gave Israel the green light to attack Hamas. More anger should be reserved for Mahmoud Abbas, the leader of the secular Palestinian Fatah faction, who has made it clear that he would like to wrest control of Gaza from the elected Hamas government. Those Arab governments like Jordan and Mauritania, who are on friendly diplomatic terms with Israel, should be in for yet more criticism. And last but not least, anger should be directed toward the wealthy Arab governments, like Saudi Arabia and Persian Gulf littoral countries, which could potentially do so much to resolve the Palestinian issue, but do little or nothing.