Can Palestine Win in the US-Israeli Rift Over Iran?

I'm talking about those forgotten by opportunistic seasonal “heroes” who pretend “Palestine is the compass” but are willing to start wars and commit massacres under the pretext of “freeing Jerusalem” and reclaiming “all of Palestine,”while they hurt Palestinians first and foremost.

A recent report published in the independent Israeli publication +972 Magazine asked this question, “Do Israelis have any idea how bad it is in Gaza?” The article describes in painful details how “nearly two million Gazans are living in a state of poverty and shortages.” The headline prompted me to ask the question, “Does anyone have a clue?” This includes Arab media, governments, people, militant groups, extremists and ideological talking heads that make a living off of “Palestine.”

As Israel prepares for what could turn out to be an historical election, and with a major rift between the White House and Netanyahu over nuclear talks with Iran, Palestine is more important than ever. It is the real thorn in everyone’s side, more so than Iran’s nuclear ambitions will ever be.

Looking at the developments on the ground, it is clear that Netanyahu prefers to draw the world’s attention away from Palestine and focus it instead on Iran and its “third front” against Israel as he calls it on the Golan. Hezbollah with its blind loyalty to Iran, as well as Hamas, serve Netanyahu’s rhetoric and fear tactics. So much so, that under an objective microscope they all would appear as partners in distracting the world's attention.

With the growing distrust between the U.S. and Israel over Iran, it would appear a perfect opportunity to fill the gap with moderate, effective and progressive moves on behalf of Palestine.

Alas, Arabs are busy with their internal problems or ambitions. Broken Lebanon is unable to function as a democracy. Military-run Egypt is busy jailing journalists and peaceful opposition. Syria’s tyrant is still not done killing and displacing his people. Jordan continues to polish its image, while Gulf countries race for world records and become unrecognizable in the process.

This leaves Palestine advocacy open to the sober Palestinian intelligentsia as well as human rights activists and nonviolent freedom fighters; all eyes should be on them. History can use them if they are willing to use the opportunity to make their voices heard.