The level of security in and around Palestine had been reinforced with advanced mechanisms developed and rooted in Israeli technology. Udi and Erez were quite busy on a daily basis coordinating assault teams which incorporated many cells of international agents and commandos. Due to the joint international action in the field and the surveillance mechanisms, the increased success rate in dealing with terrorism was unprecedented.
Ever since the death penalty was enforced for acts of terrorism, there were hardly any attempts to plant bombs or shoot civilians randomly. It was truly a new age for our region and everyone could see its positive aspects on a daily basis as masses of people marched in the streets in celebration, rejoicing by singing songs, glorifying Jezabilah and their new government. Their newly-found freedom and sense of equality were further expressed by a fresh, nonbiased media. Jezabilah and her staff were constantly checking on every government department for its levels of efficiency. The high standards for fairness and equality that she demanded were the foundation for its success.
With the advent of peace, the Israeli economy was in high gear. Our latest advancements in technological breakthroughs and research in biological sciences opened a new corridor to establishing relevant contacts in a variety of fields. Our improved solar powered generators and transmitters were sold all over the world. These and many other improvements were also used openly by the Palestinian Departments of Energy and Environmental Protection.
Jezabilah was always in tune with any new developments that would be beneficial to her nation. I notified her about the committee meetings that would deal with additional joint projects for the benefit of Palestine.
She sent Zaid, who was now the Minister of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency. He was a welcome addition to our regional committee. I remember the delight that Zaid had expressed during the many meetings we had attended. Just like most Palestinians, he was overjoyed by the enlightenment that was clearly part of their daily lives.
I was the coordinator of these meetings and always opened the session with an introduction.
“Good day, ladies and gentlemen. Today we will assess the programs that we have planned for the near future. The new innovations, which have improved the agricultural development throughout our region have helped to rejuvenate the land, especially in places where the composition of the soil and water resources was too poor for growing any vegetation. The Bedouins of the Northern Negev have been very successful with these technologies that we have provided for them. They capitalized on the new advancements and raised their quality of life to a respectable level. At last, their grazing areas are abundant with vegetation for their livestock. Due to the increase in farming activity, the standard of living grew, resulting from the rise of wealth generated in their region. The old neighborhoods containing huts and patchwork tents were replaced with large villas surrounded by groves filled with fruit trees, and an abundance of savory herbs and vegetables. I had been hands-on in helping them develop the methodology for successful organic farming, using greenhouses and hydro culture; all of which boosted their gross sales substantially, especially to the European market which has had a high demand for organic produce.
“In order to take on the growing problems of migration into our region and Europe, it is going to become necessary to create jobs and stability in the many poor underdeveloped nations in North Africa. The new Israeli government that I have strongly supported has gathered international support to finance projects that would include the use of our latest technologies. It was obvious after so many years, that the armies and security forces of these nations needed the international support that was essential for the process to flourish. The UN, which long ago should have taken responsibility to handle multinational support, was simply not resourceful enough to deal with such a heavy load; especially since most of their funds were spent on poor planning and overpriced logistics.
“The overall requirements for the new technological protocols mean that almost every major corporation on the face of the planet has to make drastic changes in its operational environments and has to restructure its financial base that allocates and distributes company profits. Even though the risks and costs are high in dealing with such a radical progression, the gains will outnumber the losses by far. Humanity will be saved; plants would flourish, and the air will be clear and clean forever. The key is all about sharing what we have with others for the sake of humankind. Most importantly, maintaining a steady level of employment for qualified people in all fields is more important than allowing large corporations to get rich on the backs of their employees. Large bonuses and massive dealing under the table was a standard in the past, but it is not the fresh, politically correct approach to support an inspired society. Zaid, thank you for taking part in our meetings. We look forward to working with you and all our other partners in peace. I call this meeting to an end and wish you all good luck in working on the various projects at hand.” As I was speaking, I could sense the eagerness of those attending to get on with their work. They stood up and began applauding with fervor. It was the first time in my life that I had received such an ovation. I was more used to having large groups of soldiers saluting me as I passed them for inspection.
Chapter Nineteen
The years went by quickly, and much was achieved for the people living peacefully in Palestine. Everyone was extremely satisfied with the government and its special programs. There were youth programs which focused on the environment, and on certain days, thousands of volunteers gathered refuse within the cities and their outskirts in areas that were not accessible to sanitation vehicles. Keeping a pure environment was a special focus for everyone. Another special program involved delivering meals to the elderly and helping them with their house chores. There was a general feeling in unity everywhere one went, but seeing all these young people sharing and giving of their time for the good of their fellow man was a very inspiring picture that raised everyone’s spirit.
Walking around the markets was a delightful experience for the senses. The smell of delicious Arab cuisine, fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs blended with the colorful movement and sounds of shoppers mingling with the vendors who were displaying their alluring goods. Everyone was now part of the whole, and it was apparent by the calm and tranquility that replaced years of imbalance and strife. The restaurants were full to capacity with visitors from Israel and other nations showing support and comradery. At night, the clubs were filled with a cheerful atmosphere, spirited and vibrant, providing a variety of entertainment. People of all faiths were interacting and enjoying each other’s company, living side by side in peace, while religious affiliation became a nominal aspect of people’s lives. Life was more about who you were and how you fit into society and the love that surrounds it. Jezabilah and I worked on dozens of programs that touched on every aspect of the arts and social services and it was fulfilling to see so many successful results.
The cultural exchanges between Israeli and Arab musicians and artists were wonderful examples of the brotherhood and harmony between them. In celebration of our ongoing peaceful coexistence, dance companies from both our nations performed side by side all over the world to sold-out tours. It was a wonderful time for people in our region; rejoicing in making music; displaying creative art and sharing a revived love for life and togetherness. The older generation was quite taken by the normalcy and the liveliness around them. They came to grips with the fact that a new spirited generation was in place.
At the Presidential residence overlooking Gaza City and the Mediterranean Sea Jezabilah and Nairah stood side-by-side in front of the vast panoramic window. They watched the gentle, low-tide waves as they caressed the shore-line with their white foam.
The Gaza beachfront, now majestic and modernized with its luxurious hotels recently built in a joint project with Israel, has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Middle East. The hotels offer exquisite accommodations, a
superb selection of culinary venues, casino gambling and world-class spa facilities. This project, which was my brainchild, had enabled the employment of thousands of Palestinians, and had yielded an overwhelming surplus in Palestine’s yearly budget. The modern multi-level greenhouses that were constructed provided produce for the area residents as well as for the newly developed hotel industry. These agriculture projects overseen by Zaid utilized much of the open land in Gaza and the West Bank. The resulting success of the government’s project was recognized by all. It allowed for the elimination of both sales and residential taxes. Needless to say, everyone is very pleased with the new and improved lifestyle and atmosphere in the area, as unemployment is a thing of the past, and local business are flourishing with the constant flow of tourism.
Nairah sighed suddenly. She reached over to her mother and gave her a loving hug, kissed her on both cheeks, not letting go of her. “Mom, I am so proud of you. Look at this place. This city is alive with people. Yair has really been quite an important influence on you. And you, Mom, you are such an important person with your amazing inspiration for our people and those all around the world. I feel so lucky to be your daughter, standing at your side.”
“I adore you, Nairah. I am very satisfied with the way things have turned out. It is my dream-come-true, and so are you, my precious princess. Today is your birthday, and we’ll have a wonderful party for the occasion.”
Jezabilah and I have celebrated the birthdays of our daughter in separate camps ever since her birth, and will likely do so for quite some time. It always seemed to me that no one would or should ever know the truth about the parental ties that she and I have to our beautiful daughter. A Palestinian President having an Israeli Intelligence Agent as a co-parent, would be an anomaly that would rattle the present political situation.
Somehow, the constant realization about the pertinence of my duties washed away the guilt I felt as a father who had not been able to enjoy his daughter’s daily development. During Nairah’s early childhood, I only saw her a few times. After she turned six-years-old, the frequency of my visits increased somewhat. I managed to mix in with the crowd during the holiday ceremonials; by then, there was physical intermingling between Israeli and Palestinian representatives. No father should ever miss such momentous events, but unfortunately, back in the beginnings of the revolution started by Inkasar, many fathers on both the Palestinian and Israeli sides missed such occasions. The Israelis were busy because of their tours of duty in the Israeli Army and their counterpart Inkasar forces were still fighting off the Jihadists and the Al Qaeda militants who perpetuated aggression on all fronts.
Now, Nairah, a beautiful, blossoming, young lady, exemplified the best levels of character and achievements that could be attained in a civilized society. Jezabilah and I are very proud of all of her accomplishments and feel blessed to have such a wonderful daughter. Thousands of years before Jesus and Muhammad, the union between distant cousins was prevalent, and commonly accepted as a consequence of the social structure that was common. Despite that past reality, Jezabilah’s parental profile would have to stay locked in a dark corner, and definitely not in a clearly marked file in the Palestinian Bureau of Vital Statistics.
Jezabilah had always shuffled her hours between being President and being a mother efficiently, sensibly providing the warmth and loving care that she knew was so essential for the mental and physical well-being of raising our daughter. Nairah had been raised with all the love that a child could get. Her beauty was enhanced by her fair skin and her long, brown wavy hair. Everyone who met her was touched by her sweet demeanor. Throughout the Inkasar campaign, when Jezabilah had some spare time, she would recite selections of poetry from all the great periods of Arab literature, translations of classics by Western and Oriental poets and authors which reflected on love, faith and the beauty of nature. With her soft alto voice, she would sing classical Arab modal melodies while brushing her hair in gentile strokes that left her full-bodied hairdo shimmering brilliantly. Under the circumstances, her childhood had all the happiness that could be achieved within a lifestyle that constricted due to the constant security problems that engulfed her mother. Managing a revolution and later running a nation as President – while countless terrorist networks looked to upset the established order – was an exhausting and nerve-racking experience for Jezabilah. I am sure that it was just as difficult for Nairah growing up and trying to make sense of the realities in her midst.
Chapter Twenty
الفصلالعشرين
The aura of calm in the Middle East was something exceptional that had not been present in thousands of years. There was a refreshing atmosphere of normalcy in most of the Arab nations. A canopy of unity and peace covered the immediate region, even though there was still much to be done about the instability in Iraq and Syria. Muslims around the world enthusiastically supported the campaign to break from the vicious hold of Jihadist radicals and their daily agenda. Many of them had set out into their adjoining towns to unify Muslims of all sects. For centuries, the majority of the deaths of Muslims was caused by the violence of followers of different sects of Islam. But for Druze, Christian and Muslim Arabs living in Palestine and Israel, there was a comprehension of how good it was to be where they were, enjoying a decent life filled with self-determination, equality, independence and democratic order. Most realized that sinful behavior and a lack of morality have no place in a world where human rights and freedom of choice are essential to living in an atmosphere founded on peaceful coexistence. It was unquestionably a time for festive gaiety with brotherly love as the theme for the celebration.
West and East Jerusalem, the joint capital cities of both Israel and Palestine, were now flourishing due to the peace at hand. Citizens of both countries were free to across each other’s borders. Albeit, there was still a screening process at the border passes, but implemented in a much more relaxed and amiable manner. No one could have ever imagined that this would be the new reality.
I have received much attention for my standing as a newly elected member of the Israeli government. Many have shown great admiration for the work I have done throughout the years. Even though I am still in touch with the heads at the Organization, my work as a public advocate has taken up most of my time. My focus is no longer on national security but rather on social security.
I remember one of the important speeches that I gave during the Knesset Assembly.
“Ladies and gentlemen. We are now in a new era for our nation. It is a glorious time for rebirth. There are no longer any safe havens for radical fundamentalists in Israel or in Palestine. The call for Jihad has been eradicated by economic development and growth. Educational institutions everywhere are recruiting teachers for the thousands of new students who are now eager to make a change in their lives. The terror networks, whose declarations to destroy Israel have imploded, can no longer use the presence of our nation as an excuse for carrying out their hateful crimes.
“Every weekend, families from both our nations have joined together in special projects. People from all over the world have come together to enjoy our street fairs and our parks. In addition to activities like cooking, gardening planting trees, there are many workshops in pottery and weaving, art, dance, poetry and music. The Israeli and Palestinian Education and Culture Departments have come together and have mutually organized a variety of activities and entertainment projects. Ensembles from all over the world have whole-heartedly donated their time and money to take part in these festivities. The public has enjoyed some fantastic entertainment for free. There were open markets selling an incredible assortment of foods, apparel, and arts and crafts at marginal prices. The photography and sculpture workshops are getting the attention of many of the young people on the scene. Watching everyone concentrating on creation instead of destruction is a dream-come-true for all of us. The people are enjoying the calm and respectfully interact with everyone around them.
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sp; “The exchange programs in all the major fields are producing amazing results and have raised the ratings of our education to some of the highest in the free world. The most notable improvements have been recorded in the social services and welfare departments. The average, middle-aged Palestinian citizen is cursing the past decades and those responsible for his or her suffering.
“And here lays the essence of all the hard work by Inkasar and the Organization: We’ve replaced the bloodshed and the suffering with a new order that had been set forth to the advantage and betterment of all. Only people who proved their worth and a pure vision for goodness now hold the highest governing positions. Positive action is now respected and has replaced the inciteful rhetoric, just as creative vision has replaced prejudice, blindness and apathy. The Palestinian funds are well guarded for the betterment of the people. No longer can any members of any government open and maintain foreign bank accounts. Money is not going to be a tool for control; nor shall power and dominance be weapons of greed. In the latest polls, the public in both our nations have unanimously approved the way they are being governed. We are very fortunate to have such a great leader for our neighboring nation and I wish to congratulate Jezabilah for her persistence and incredible accomplishment.”
The members of the Knesset applauded as I stood at the podium with a gleaming smile, savoring the moment, filled with a sense of gratification. It was a fruitful time for all of us, after so many years of working together on the various projects to achieve the foundations for truly peaceful coexistence.
Broken Lands Page 21
