‘ Denouncing Isil isn’t enough’
The rise of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant ( Isil), the unrest in Iraq and Israel taking over Palestinian land, following the Gaza war, were topics that dominated the headlines of newspapers across the region.
TheUAE’s Al Khaleej said that a security and military solution against Isil, the Jabhat Al Nusra Front or any other terrorist and takfiri organisation is not enough to combat their threat, which is now spreading in various areas and posing a danger not just for Arab countries but also the entire world.
“A military victory can be achieved against these organisations, but even so, the issue calls for facing them on ideological and financial battlefronts in order to drain their resources. The danger lies in their ideology and ability to brainwash others. It is necessary to carry out a comprehensive ideological and doctrinal confrontation to thwart these destructive takfiri beliefs in schools, homes, mosques and religious institutes, putting a stop to the issuance of fatwas by religious individuals and end the misrepresentation of Islamand ridding the faith of violence and takfir,” said Al Khaleej.
There have been growing calls for greater international involvement in the crisis facing Iraq. In this context, Qatar’s Al Sharq said that the United Nations must intervene to stop human rights violations, war crimes and take the necessary measures to stop the cycle of violence. “Denouncing the crimes perpetrated by Isil is not enough, and action needs to be taken to stop the danger that threatens the entire region. This can only be achieved through collective efforts. Saving Iraq remains the top priority,” said the editorial.
‘ Ruins of Gaza’
“The country, more than ever, needs to regain stability and security and this responsibility falls squarely on the shoulders of the new Iraqi government. It is a huge burden that involves ending the sectarian divide, achieving progress in political operations and reconciliation and engaging and involving all segments of Iraqi society in order to meet the Iraqi people’s aspirations for freedom, democracy, prosperity and justice,” said the editorial.
Meanwhile, the latest Israeli land grab continued to make headlines, with the Oman
Tribune discussing the tensions that followed Tel Aviv’s decision to seize large swathes of land in the West Bank. “Tension has been ratcheted up by Israel even before the smoke has cleared from the ruins of Gaza ... The cause: Israel’s decision to take over about 400 hectares of Palestinian land in the Bethlehem area in the West Bank.
“US Secretary of State John Kerry visited the region about a dozen times to nudge the two sides towards some kind of an agreement. But Israel’s building of new ... [ colonist] homes, which it had promised to freeze at the start of the talks, led to its breakdown. There is even talk now of a third Intifada ...” said the
Oman Tribune.
Lebanon’s Daily Star said the usual bout of western finger- wagging has begun after Israel’s decision to undertake its ‘ biggest’ land grab in 30 years, as some activists and monitors are calling it. “Whatever the case, there is nothing new under the sun: Israel defies international law, seizes the land of others, overcomes any tepid protest by the international community, and then Palestinian anger and resentment build until there is another violent explosion. All of this takes place with the connivance of leading international powers,” the editorial said.