Gamal Abdel Nasser Interview

Today marks the 60th anniversary of  the the Nasser presidency. He held the office until his death in 1970, but accomplished much. Nasser was one of the founders of the Organization for African Unity and the the Non-aligned Movement. Gamal Nasser was a leader who challenged European imperialism around the globe. The nationalization of the Suez Canal and the subsequent confrontation with the UK, France, and Israel demonstrated his commitment to seeing Africa and the Middle East free from foreign rule or influence. He promoted Pan-Arab nationalism, Pan-Africanism , and liberation for colonized peoples. This 1969 interview Nasser explains the  political situation  and the conflict with Israel. Israel had conquered much territory which included the Golan Heights, the Sinai Peninsula, the West Bank, and Gaza Strip. Nasser was a supporter for Palestinian struggle for dignity and freedom. Gamal Nasser reveals in this interview that it was not the Arabs that attacked in the 1948 war. Israeli forces attacked what would have been a Palestinian state, while the British made their exit from the mandate. The Arab states reacted thinking Israel would expand into their territories. As the refugees fled for their lives, settlers took their land. There were attempts at negotiations in 1949 under a reconciliation committee, but Israel refused to discuss refugees. Nasser points out  Israel  was formed in created by the  1947 UN partition. His reasoning is that peace would come through UN resolutions, rather than direct talks. Nasser said that as long as Israel continues territorial expansion there will be no peace. This is more true today than in the past. The Netanyahu government refuses to relinquish the Golan Heights. Israel today continues to terrorize Gaza and Egyptians despise the 1979  Israeli- Egyptian Peace Treaty. It was unfortunate that Anwar Sadat did not share his predecessor's vision. Sadat dismantled most of his socialist policies and made peace with Israel minus a solution to the discrimination against the Palestinians. Nasser explains that for centuries Muslims and Jews were living in relative peace before the rise of Israel. It was when European Askenazim Jews began to colonize the area conflict exacerbated. Nasser should serve as a model to current Arab leaders. Only Pan-Arabism and a unified political front can solve the problems of Israel, imperialism, and Western military intervention.