The Parable of the Palestine-Israel Conflict: Biden’s Role and Bias

The current state of the conflict between Palestine and Israel is a complex web of history, politics, and ethno-religious differences. One of the most talked-about aspects of this conflict is the United States’ (US) stance, particularly under the Biden Administration. To delve into the intricacies of the issue, we can explore an analogous situation that sheds light on the various dynamics at play.

Context and Analogy

The situation between Palestine and Israel can often be likened to a family conflict, where two siblings have a dispute that escalates beyond a simple disagreement. In this analogy, the United Nations (UN) can be compared to the parents, attempting to mediate and resolve the escalating conflict. However, just as in any family situation, the mediator can sometimes take sides, making fair resolution more challenging.

The Bystander at the Head of the Table: The Biden Administration

Joe Biden, as the 46th President of the United States, was expected to play a key role in mediating the conflict. Given his experience as a two-term Vice President, and a former U.S. Senator, he has a wealth of diplomatic experience. Given the UN member nations’ stance as mostly supporting the Palestinians, one could reasonably hope that Biden would align himself with the Palestinian cause.

Biden’s Stance: A Complex Scenario

Unfortunately, the factual stance of President Biden and his administration differs from the optimistic expectations. They have been accused of not only backing Islamic militant groups but also showing a marked bias against the Jewish state, Israel. This is alarming given the context of the 9/11 attacks, which were carried out by Islamic jihadists and resulted in the deaths of thousands of people and billions in damage.

Proposed Parable: The Intervention Gone Awry

To further explore this, imagine a family situation where a younger brother bullies an older brother. The parents intervene and appeal to reason, asking the older brother to act like the strong one and behave better. However, as the parents attempt to maintain fairness, the older brother reacts violently. The younger brother, feeling unfairly targeted, reacts with further aggression, further complicating the situation.

In the case of Palestine and Israel, this can be illustrated as:

The parents (UN) attempt to mediate. The older brother (Israel) is stronger and is expected to act more responsible. The younger brother (Palestinians) feels long-repressed and reacts with vigor.

As the situation deteriorates, the UN mediation becomes biased and ineffective, making a fair and just solution more challenging.

The Question of Mediation

One might ask if this situation is not precisely what the UN is for. The organization, with its Charter, is supposed to promote peace, justice, and equality. However, the reality on the ground shows a different scenario:

1. **Ineffectiveness in Mediation:** The UN’s efforts to mediate the conflict have often been labeled as ineffective or biased.

2. **Bias and Partisanship:** The perception that the US, in particular, has taken a side and is not neutral can undermine the credibility of the mediation efforts.

3. **Escalation of Conflict:** The conflict has escalated from a simple dispute to a more complex and violent confrontation, where the underdog (Palestinians) has become more aggressive, making a fair settlement more challenging.

Conclusion

The Palestine-Israel conflict is a global concern that requires understanding, empathy, and a fair resolution. The situation is complex and requires careful, unbiased mediation to ensure justice for all parties. As the world watches, it is crucial that those in powerful positions, such as President Biden, play a constructive role and strive to promote fairness and justice, rather than exacerbating tensions.