I think in my opinion that both Ariel Sharon and Yasser Arafat are unfit to serve as leaders to their respective nations. Don't get Ariel Sharon wrong. He is a strict hardliner. He has been in military campaigns where he willed no less than immediate removal of Palestinian people. Many Isrealis pride themselves on how it was their nation who brought peace closest. It was only under the leadership of Ehud Barak. And Sharon has not managed anything like this. He is very jumpy to fight. As scary as it sounds, he is kind of waiting for a reason to stampede into Palestinian controlled areas. Now I don't think Yasser Arafat is a good leader either. Let's face it. He does not condemn any terrorist attacks. Now he may pitch in a word or two, but if I can easily imagine myself having a bigger immediate impact than him in his position (and he's been there for god knows how long) than I think something is wrong with that situation. Now most Palestinian's would claim that when Arafat is so bogged down by the Isrealis than he has very little power. A person's voice can be a very powerful tool. When does he ever use it effectively? So I think it is obvious that neither leader is capable of handling the situation in Palestine/Isreal. But with both leaders in control, the situation is spiraling downward (Im not claiming they are the direct source of the problems!). It is unfortunante that solutions to this situation are rather difficult to come by. It is almost impossible to directly remove either leader from power. However, maybe it would be possible to step in the way of leaders. But who would do this?
genghis37, First of all, let me say that I am completely against suicide bombings. Innocent civilians should NEVER be killed. Now regarding your post, you indicated that you think that Arafat is a bad leader because he does not condemn suicide bombings. Unfortunately, suicide bombings are all the Palestinians have left. They don't have weapons to defend themselves against the Israeli millitary, while Israel, gets weapons and support from the US. The fact is that almost nobody cares about the Palestinians. The countries that do care either don't have the power to do anything, or they get threatened by the US when they do try to help. What motive would Israel have for a peace settlement if there were no suicide bombers?? If Palestinians were pacifists would the world do anything at all??? Basically the situation in Isreal is like a game of poker: Israel holds some impressive cards: palastinian land, military support from the US, monetary support from the US, and political support from the US. The Palestinians, on the other hand, only hold one card: suicide bombings. Do you think that the Palestinians should throw away their only card???? It is shamefull when the world decides to ignore a group of oppressed and occupied people. It's an even greater shame when those same oppressed and occupied people have to commit suicide bombings to get noticed. In other words, I don't blame the Palestinians for sucide bombings, I blame the world for forcing the Palestinians to commit suicide bombings. Tom
Joeblow93132 You are compleatly correct. In ALL the situations where someone is willing to blow themselves up in order to make there point i think there is SOMEWHERE that the world could have done more. This is one of my problems with the US's war.
While what you say may be true, where was that sympathy when Israel was willing to settle the dispute in peace talks of land for peace. Those same suicide bombers thwarted the process by continued and increased activity. If peace was truely what was wanted then all they had to do was not fuel the process. This activity shows just how much in control either leader is of their people. No that statement is not totally correct. Let me put it this way. If the leaders did not represent the feelings of the majority of their respective people they would not be long in the role of leadership. While it may look from this post as if I am a firm supporter of Israel I am not. But what I do see is that Israel responds to bombing attacks that initiate from the Palenstine side. It is basically Israel against the Arab world. In the news covering the Saudi/Arab meeting that Arafat did not attend it was noted that the Saudi's had donated money for the family survivers of sucide bombers. Now the Saudis have much better arms than the Palenstinians do. Thanks to us. But they are not donating arms. They are providing help to those same bombers by money though, as much the rest of the Arab world is.
Ok lets put it into perspective, what was the nationalitly of the person who stopped the peace prosses when it was the closest it has ever been. I seem to rember that the last Israil leader was asasinated by an ISRAILLY
Now where does it says that, Saudi gave money to suicide bomber? Is it wrong to help thei families?? They don't tell their families that they are going to be suicide bombers?. What is so wrong in helping the family? are they going to produce more bombers? NO!!! I don't think so, once they lost their love one they will be very carefull about that in future. No one wants their kids to die. I don't see where did you get the idea that helping only those families is helping terrorists or suicide bombers??. Please help me out there. Saudi do have better weapons, and yes thanks to us but thanks to them too and bin laden family who are active memeber of Carlyle group. Who happened to be the only major arms dealer between US and Saudis. Partner by top republicans and some ex presidents. Now thanks to them too since from gulf war all the major buyers are from middle east. Keeping our economy healthy, recent example is purchase of 7billion dollors wroth F-16s by UAE. Anyways its all bussines. Peace
Arafat issued an official statement today condemning the suicide bombings. I won't argue whether he says one thing to the press and then another to his lieutenants, he may very well do so, but unfortunately in the USA I think our media is so controlled and nationalist that we don't get the whole story. I do not think there is any good guy in this whole conflict. The Israelis have legit grievances, and so do the Palestinians. Both are so wrapped up in a millennia old hatred that they cannot see their own hypocrisy. And then there is the US stepping in and pretending to be the good guys, the bringer of peace, hoping the whole world still feels sorry for us and will ignore OUR hypocrisy. So far two Bush's, two fucked up situations. Coincidence? I think not.
