The concept of precedent is based on decisions taken by a superior Court, a Supreme Court, House of Lords etc. Legitimacy of nations, too, is decided by the highest authority within the State machinery. What leaders do is recorded in history and is used as a guidance tool for future leaders in the region to make decisions. One such decision that tangles the idea of precedent, is the decision that will cost many future nations legitimacy and their borders, the acceptance of Israel.
If Israel is further recognized and given the channel of dialogue, as recently seen with Bahraini and Saudi delegations visiting, it ignores all the crimes it had committed leading up to these moments. This does not mean it is wrong to accept Israeli hegemony and territory, but then the same rule will apply if Russia takes over Ukraine. For if the precedent is set that Israel, regardless of its achievements in cyber warfare, espionage, military, and research development, it is considered illegal occupation by the Palestinian inhabitants. Similar accolades attached to Russian achievements.
The famous quote, “one mans freedom fighter, another mans terrorist”, whereby Palestine has tried resisting with whatever little forces they had. The Middle East retaliated, won at times, and lost at most, the Israeli’s prospered with an underdeveloped Palestinian force – by now non-existing, and the territories law and authority goes to the Zionist ideology. Palestine has been unfortunate, and unsupported, with no arms, no power, no funding, whereas Israel was always backed.
Israel however does deserve credit for its backbone. They have shown spine in 90% of their decisions, disregarding every modern multilateral platform or groups. When Mehdi Hassan interviewed the Deputy Foreign Minister of Israel, who denied even sharing the quantity of nuclear weapons, but famously responding with “so what” when asked about the Israeli Nuclear Arsenal. When certain documents were released by the White House under the Freedom of Information Act, a conversation between the Clinton’s and Israeli administration was recorded whereby requesting the Israeli or “Zionist” leaders to stop their aggressive acts towards the Palestinians. The Israelis demanded the Americans to remain far from their domestic affairs. In another scenario, Mossad had carried out attacks on Hamas generals in Dubai in an intricate espionage operation, they didn’t shy from taking full credit.
Israel sets the perfect precedent for future nations; Stand your ground, be harsh, harmful, disregard all international policies, and then one day you will claim your right to Statehood. In addition the fancy narrative of history, which always provides good marketing material, the “long forsaken Motherland”.
Now nations have a new blueprint, a negative one but a fair one in accordance to the situation of the division of Jerusalem. You may occupy with force, and if anyone has a problem with that, they may deal with you separately. Nations may fight back with such occupation, but the victor will claim your land. It seems the barbaric nature of Man has not surpassed the great developments of technology and ideologies. However, this should be a tricky situation, for if the Russian’s used the same blueprint, the Ukrainians cause will then forever be claimed as a bias and racist one. That will be the cost for recognition, if you choose to follow these rules.
