As Israel turns 70, it should be bowing its head. Not because there are those who still choose to preach Holocaust denial; though it is morally reprehensible to dismiss massacres that left some six million dead as mere conspiracies conjured up for political traction. That being said, the Jewish state should take time out from the festivities to reflect on how just because things have been going its way for a long time — including Trump Town’s Jerusalem shuffle that effectively killed the peace process -does not mean that this will always be the case. Indeed, certain Israeli pundits have pointed out how the current right-wing American presidency will not last forever. While also looking to Jeremy Corbyn as a ‘new’ breed of British leader who is prepared to talk truth to Tel Aviv’s power; which is not bad for a young man of British politics whose career has spanned more than 30 years. Yet truth be told, pinning hope on a resurgent Left in both the US and Europe is rather futile. Not because it cannot happen. Just that the Palestinians have been here too many times before; confronting an international system that has always been balanced against them. Not least due to the undemocratic set-up of permanent veto powers. Rather, newly emerging geo-political realities may end up forcing Israel to go easier on those whom it illegally and militarily occupies; regardless of just how good Mr Corbyn is. After all, the US hegemon in the Middle East is waning. Russia is already making inroads into the region and has thus far been successful in wooing the Saudis. And then there is China. All this should give Tel Aviv pause for thought. For until now, it had appeared that Riyadh might just have been willing to go public and officially normalise ties with the Jewish state. Yet given that Iran is going nowhere anytime soon — it is likely that the Kingdom will be preoccupied with winning over new allies to contain the so-called Shia threat. Which leaves the Palestinians. The recent March to Return demonstrations highlighted the brutality of the occupying state that had no qualms about open-firing on unarmed protestors. Social media meant that the images went viral; un-doctored. And non-violent resistance, according to some Palestine watchers, represents the key to long-term success. The logic being that if Palestinians from the occupied West Bank, East Jerusalem, Israel itself as well as those in both Lebanese and Syrian refugee camps literally joined hands against their common oppressor — Tel Aviv would be rendered impotent in the face of such revolt. After all, analysts have pointed out that it is a desperate occupying power that unleashes military might to crush non-weaponised rebellion. Yet none of this will take hold unless and until Israel and the international community recognises that freedom can neither be won nor defended when at the expense of another. And certainly not when cast in the role of jailor of the world’s largest open-air prison. * Published in Daily Times, April 20th 2018.