An interesting development, one worth exploring.

During the War of Independence in 1948, some 500 Palestinian villages in the young State of Israel were destroyed. Many residents fled their homes out of fear of the Israel Defense Forces and other Jewish elements active in the area; others were actively expelled from their villages. Today, only a few of these destroyed villages are publicly mentioned in connection with their original locations.

New communities have been built on some sites; the ruins of others have been covered over by parks and nature reserves.

The Zochrot (Remembering) organization, which supports promoting the Palestinians' right of return to the destroyed communities, has for several years been trying to heighten awareness of this issue, and last week celebrated a breakthrough: Senior Jewish National Fund-Keren Kayemeth L'Israel (JNF) officials notified the organization that in parks that have a sign explaining the history of the area, the Palestinian villages that were once located there would also be mentioned.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/950689.html

Its an interesting parallel to US states named after native American tribes: Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Delaware, etc

Hmm gets better and better:

Rabbi, Hebron journalist present PM, Hamas draft Gaza-Israel cease-fire
By Yair Ettinger, Haaretz Correspondent

Israelis and Palestinians involved in interfaith contacts recently drafted a cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas. The document, whose implementation includes the release of abducted Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, was submitted to the cabinet and to the Hamas government in the Gaza Strip.

Rabbi Menachem Froman of the West Bank settlement of Tekoa has for years been involved in interfaith dialogue toward Israeli-Palestinians peace. For several months he has been working closely with Khaled Amayreh, a Hebron-area journalist who is close to Hamas.

"Our proposal was presented to the highest political echelon in the Hamas government in Gaza and gained 100-percent approval," Amayreh told Haaretz Sunday, while refusing to name the government officials. Froman said the document was presented to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who has yet to respond to it.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/951003.html

The ball is in the Israelis park.

Shit happens... as they say. The difference of course is that what was left of the native indian's in America got their shit together. There are even some tribes that have established their own laws and currency. Palistinians have not done the same.

Shit happens... as they say. The difference of course is that what was left of the native indian's in America got their shit together. There are even some tribes that have established their own laws and currency. Palistinians have not done the same.

Yeah, like the founding fathers of the US, they still believe in self determination. But that requires a cessation of occupation. :)

Fatah seems to be making progress (finally). Hamas is having issues.

Fatah seems to be making progress (finally). Hamas is having issues.

Yeah, strange then the West Bank has more settlements being built as we speak, while Gaza does not. :shrug:

Probably because they're running low on supplies...thanks to the blockade.

Yeah, strange then the West Bank has more settlements being built as we speak, while Gaza does not. :shrug:

Oh but Israel acknowledged its happening illegally and aims to bulldoze em.

They just recognised a village built on Arab lands.

The government decided Sunday to formally recognize a controversial 35-family Jewish town in the largely Arab Wadi Ara region; environmentalists and two cabinet ministers are against the move.


Apparently what Israel says is very different from what Israel does.

They have some kinks to work out yesiree.

Please address Gaza and related topics here:

S.A.M's News from Gaza (http://www.sciforums.com/showthread.php?t=77263)