Well things are cooking on the boards again. Undoubtedly the current crisis in the occupied territories is fuelling all of this and leading to some good, some bad, debate. I'd just like to state the basic position I'm coming from amid all the rhetoric and bile (for which I accept some responsibility). I believe this: (1) The creation of Israel, as it occurred, was wrong and it ignored the basic consent of those who lived there. (If religious fanaticism entered the region, it's my belief that the creation of Israel is where it begins) (2) It would be foolish to ignore the past 60 years of history - Israel exists, MUST exist and now has a right to exist in peaceful co-existence with its neighbours(we can't simply throw these people off the lanf after the time invested) (3) BUT a just settlement must be found for the Palestinians - this is the PRIORITY for the entire stability of the region. (4) I think that a withdrawal to pre-1967 borders (COMPLETE withdrawal) is a just and equitable solution provided Arab states agree to recognise Israel's right to exist and international guarantees for Israel's security are entered into. Palestinians displaced in 1948 should be compensated (somehow - international, Israeli, Arab - it doesn't matter). (5) I disagree with Palestinian tactics, but feel that the whole issue of terrorism in this conflict not only impedes a JUST settlement but creates yet more suicide bombers. I also think the Israeli occupation is tolerated in a fashion that is quite unique in international relations. I believe the occupation is brutal and akin to terrorism - no better and no worse than the random terror wreaked on Israeli citizens by Palestinians. Caught in the middle are the legions of Israelis and Palestinians who just want a normal life. To condone Israel's repression is as bad as condoning Palestinian suicide bombers in my opinion. (6) Arafat is a fool, but he's all we've got. (7) The onus for peace is on Israel, as the occupier and fourth largest military in the world. (8) Unconditional US backing exacerbates the conflict and prevents a JUST (and I think justice is an important pre-requisite for a lasting peace) settlement. (9) I hold no anti-semetic/anti-Jewish views - just don''t like the way Israel operates. These are my assumptions/beliefs/opinions. If anyone else wants to lay it on the line feel free to join in.
1. Agreed to a point.. I dont believe the creation of Israel as such incurred fanatacism, merely exascerbated a condition which had been there for centuries. 2. Agreed 3. Agreed... subject to whatever you feel is "just" - such a subjective term. 4. Youre dreaming... NEITHER side is going to consent to that. 5. Disagree, but we've been there on other threads Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! 6. OMG... you dont SERIOUSLY want him to remain in power do you? Shall we just condone Hussein while we're at it? 7. Crap. There is no way you can point the finger at any one side here, to do side is to lay blame and NEITHER side will accept it. Laying blame is not the way to a peaceful settlement, whether deserved or not. 8. Agreed 9. Neither do I. But I dont like the way the Arabs operate either, and in fact feel they are, if anything, worse. Whether the people of Palestine agree with the suicide bombings or not, they're also doing very little, officially or unofficially, to stop them. If Israel saw concrete evidence of Palestinian attempts to stop the bombings, they might be more amenable to peace measures. Don't ask me for any solutions I might have to their problems... I dont have any. No-one does, or they would have sorted it out in the last half century or so. We can talk all we like, they're still going to kill each other one way or another.
Barney_TRubble I agree with your very last point. I surport niter side and feel sorry for BOTH sides and angry AT both sides. I don't see much chance of a solution though, just look at Northen Island. They STILL don't have peace and have been trying for it for a HELL of a lot longer than the Israillys and Palistinans
